Justin Devenny reveals Oliver Glasner conversation ahead of Crystal Palace debut

BY ALESSANDRO SCHIAVONE

Justin Devenny revealed that Oliver Glasner had told the young midfielder he trusted him completely before handing him his Crystal Palace and Premier League debut. 

The 21-year-old started in midfield alongside Marc Guehi before the international break as the Eagles fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Fulham.

Devenny was subsequently called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for the first time and was handed his debut as a substitute in the 2-2 draw against Luxembourg in the Nations League last Monday

Ensuring he is not yet another one or two-cap wonder like many before him is another chief target. 

Devenny told the South London Press: “That’s the plan, I don’t want just to be getting one or two appearances. 

“I want to be a name in that team and show everyone what I can do, and hopefully, I’ll get that chance.

“It’s been a very, very good week. That’s just the beginning for me with my debut for Northern Ireland as well. I just want to keep doing that.

“I feel like that’s the best opportunity I’ve got to go and kickstart my career. I see that as an opportunity and I feel at the end of the day that it’s down to me to go and show everyone I’m good enough.”

A trip to Aston Villa is up next when the Premier League resumes on Saturday, with the newly-capped Northern Ireland international expected to start, given Palace’s numerous absentees in midfield. 

He said: “I’ve got to be 100 per cent confident no matter who I’m playing against. 

“There are big names there [at Aston Villa], but I just focus on my game, and hopefully, I can show my quality against the likes of those players.

“[Before making my debut] Oliver Glasner just said he believed in me and trusted me 100 per cent. He just said: ‘Go and do your thing’. All I’d like to do is do my best.”

The net has rippled only eight times for the goal-shy Eagles, who have only won once in the Premier League this term.

Making sure that changes for Olivier Glasner’s men with some defence-splitting quality of his own is top of his agenda going forward.

“I trust in myself and believe in my own ability to help that,” said Devenny.

“I feel at times we’ve been unlucky, and stuff, but we want to turn that around.

“My main qualities? I’d like to say my passing range, creating opportunities for the team, getting on the ball and killer passes.

“I’d like to do all parts of the game but creating chances and getting goals that’s when it counts.”