Charlie Gray says City’s Under-19s are eager to embrace the challenge of Wednesday’s UEFA Youth League quarter-final away to AZ Alkmaar.
Gray and his young colleagues are back in European action later on Wednesday when City tackle AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands in a last eight encounter that kicks-off at 17.00pm (UK) and is being shown live on CITY+.
It’s the first time City have reached this stage of the UEFA Youth League since the 2017/18 campaign.
Given the Dutch hosts are looking to win the tournament for the second time in three seasons, it promises to be City’s toughest test yet in Europe.
WATCH LIVE ON CITY+ | AZ ALKMAAR V CITY
However, the holding midfielder says it’s a prospect and a challenge that the whole squad are hugely looking forward to.
“Everyone’s really excited. It’s such a big game and an opportunity for everyone to step up and show their abilities as individuals and as a team,” Gray said.
“We’re just excited and raring to go.
“We don’t always get such a big game at youth level – it’s a big opportunity for everyone to step up and hopefully we can show what were about.
“At this point in the tournament, you know the teams we come up against will be really good.
“It won’t be an easy game and sometimes we will have to push through bad spells but I think as a team we can do that and hopefully show what we’re about.”
Play the video to watch Charlie’s interview in full…