MK Dons youngster Callum Tripp thanked his manager Mike Williamson for faith in him in letting play the whole game against Portsmouth.

The 17-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, played the whole match as the Dons played a 1-1 draw against Pompey, and speaking after, Tripp said he enjoyed the test and enjoyed contributing as the Dons played out the tie with a side who will be in the Championship in the upcoming season.

He said, “I enjoyed it out there. 90 minutes against a Championship team – what more can you ask for? I want to say thank you to the gaffer for giving trust in me. Against a good side we got a great result and good minutes in the tank for all the lads. A positive night.

“They’re newly promoted and they have a good chance in that league. Us in League Two against Championship, you’re thinking ‘Hmmm’ but I thought we put up a good test and a 1-1 draw where we had lots of chances and played great football made it a positive night.”

Tripp praised the team’s determination in coming back from conceding an early goal to play the game and establish themselves as a presence in the contest.

He said, “It was a scrappy and unlucky goal to be honest but aside from that, I thought the determination to get back in the game, create lots of chances and work it around the box in their half (was there).

“I had a chance – should’ve put it away! But getting that goal gave us comfort and we started playing proper football again. It was a positive.”

Tripp also said he felt the team played well in their defensive shape in limiting Portsmouth’s chance creation.

He said, “I thought our shape was really good tonight in the way we held ourselves against a very possession-based Championship side good at moving the ball. I thought we were compact, held our shape and thought we were good blocking them from having many chances.”

Tripp started playing in a wing-back role before moving to a centre-back role after a mid-game reshuffle, and Tripp said he was happy to be involved.

He said, “I enjoyed it – fun. Just using my energy to get up and down the wing. I play in many positions, wherever the gaffer says, I play. I played right wing-back and right centre-back today, and just enjoyed it. It was having fun on the pitch and playing my football.”

Tripp said he was also hoping to get a chance to play in more competitive games. So far, he has made 4 appearances for the MK Dons first team, making his EFL debut last year.

He said, “The aim for the past 3-4 years has been being in and around, waiting for the opportunity and gaining the trust to be put on and see out the game or come on and have an impact. When I’m given the chance, hopefully I’ll take it.”

MK Dons have been active in the transfer market, with 10 new signings at Stadium MK, and Tripp said he was impressed by the new recruits.

He said, “New boys have come in, great boys, even better on a football pitch. That’s what you want when new lads come in – you want good footballers and good humans, and I think that’s what we have here.”