I’ve never doubted my own ability, says John Egan

In January 2012, John Egan was thrown in at the deep end. He had just joined Crystal Palace on a month’s loan from Sunderland. Dougie Freedman had promised him a couple of games and he was true to his word.

After just one training session, Egan was handed a start for the FA Cup third round clash away to Derby. His first ever appearance in senior football. He had turned 19 just a few months earlier. No pressure.

But there was to be no baptism of fire. Just a steady, solid performance — something that’s become an Egan trademark.