Saints’ hat-trick hero Sam Gallagher reflected on an amazing couple of months and admitted “there’s no better club to be at”.

Gallagher’s treble helped his under-18 side to a comprehensive 7-0 thrashing of Portsmouth at St Mary’s in the FA Youth Cup third round last night.

Though it was a superb team performance, Gallagher got top billing for his goalscoring exploits after dropping down to the under-18s for the game having been on the bench for the first team in recent weeks.

“I have learned so many things, more from the experiences really,” he said of his recent time in and around Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.

“Being around them, being in the changing room before games, seeing how they all get ready and get psyched up for the games.

“Also in training. Watching Osvaldo and Lambert train is just amazing.

“There’s no better club to be at.

“The experience I am getting at the moment is amazing.”

It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind for Gallagher of late but he proved the progress he has made with the first team and looked far too hot for the Pompey defence to handle.

“I did have that feeling, that I need to prove why I have been up there (the first team) and I think I did all right,” he explained.

“Of course I want to try and play for the first team, and of course make my Premier League debut, but I just want to get in and around it as much as I can.

“We have got Dani up front, Rickie and Jay (Rodriguez).

“There is a lot of competition up there and I will have to wait my turn.

“Just watching them and being around them all the time means I pick up little things.

“It makes the challenge that little bit harder (being in the Premier League) but the rewards at the end are well worth it.”

There were certainly no airs or graces from Gallagher in dropping back down to the under-18s.

Indeed, he clearly thrived on the chance to impress Pochettino who was watching from the stands and saw a host of outstanding displays.

“Overwhelmed,” said Gallagher of his evening. “It was an amazing experience playing in front of all those fans and a fantastic feeling.

“I love playing with all the lads.

“I started off the season with the under-18s and I love coming and playing for the under-18s as much as I can.

“It was our best performance of the season I think.

“We kept the ball and did what we do and the results just showed.”