Leo Castledine speaks of Shrewsbury glee
Shrewsbury Town’s new loan star Leo Castledine marked his first league appearance with the opening goal in Saturday’s 3-0 win against Leyton Orient.
The Chelsea junior, whose loan move to Town was only confirmed last Monday, made his debut a day later in the EFL Cup defeat to Bolton.
And after retaining his spot in the starting XI for the bottom-of-the-table clash with the O’s, Castledine was delighted to help get Salop their first points on the board in League One.
“There’s not really a better league debut I could’ve asked for,” the 19-year-old said. “The team knew what position we were in today going into the game and to be honest the only thing I had on my mind was winning.
“(The goal) definitely helped settle us down, it was a tight game until then and that really helped push the momentum in our favour.”
Castledine added: “It was a really good performance from all of the boys. We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves but obviously you’ve got to celebrate the wins.
“We were in a tough place before the game so to get a 3-0 win is obviously big for us, but we know we have a lot more to do and a lot more games to win.
“We’re just taking every game as they come for now.”
The son of former Wimbledon and Wycombe Wanderers centre forward Stewart Castledine, Leo explained why getting on the scoresheet was extra special for him on Saturday, and why he is still a way away from outdoing his father.
“I had my dad here watching, I don’t think he’s ever missed one of my games in my life to be honest, so he’ll always be here,” the youngster said. “I looked up at him after I scored, and he gave me a nod so that’s always good.
“He never fails to remind me (that he scored four Premier League goals), whenever I score he says, ‘yeah but how many did I score in the Prem?’”
Castledine added: “Hopefully one day I’ll get as many as him, but it’s definitely good help to have.
“I just saw the gap and I thought I’d go, because I know what Tommi O’Reilly can do on the ball, and I know how he can pass the ball as well.
“I locked eyes with him and sort of said ‘go on, put me in’, and luckily it was the perfect weight of pass, and I put it away.
“It’s just (the) perfect (feeling), you can’t explain that.
“That’s the reason I play, that feeling when you score and hear the fans, it’s irreplaceable.”
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