SAINTS youngster Jake Vokins is hoping to follow in Gareth Bale’s footsteps after idolising him growing up.

The 19-year-old scored a peach of a goal against Huddersfield at the weekend to announce himself to the St Mary’s faithful.

Bale came through the ranks as a left-back for Saints before going on to eventually play for Real Madrid.

“Bale is a big name to live up to but all I can do is work hard and see where it gets me,” reflected Vokins.

“He was definitely someone I looked up to and look at him now – he is one of the best players in the world and was definitely a role model for me as I was growing up here.

“I was so happy to score, especially in front of all my family and friends; my mum and dad, brother, and sister were here from Oxford.

“The FA Cup is one of the biggest cup competitions in England, so to do it in FA Cup I couldn’t be happier.”

Saints’ other goalscorer in the 2-0 FA Cup third-round win was fellow academy graduate Will Smallbone.

Both Vokins and Smallbone joined the youth setup at St Mary’s at the same time and have followed the same trajectory towards the first team.

And for the pair to both score in style is something that made Vokins’ weekend all that much sweeter.

He added: “We’ve grown up together and been at the academy since we were six.

“We’re still together on the big stage and we’re both very happy – just two kids playing football, doing the sport we love, so to do it together is special.”

Vokins also paid tribute to boss Ralph Hasenhuttl for believing in giving the youngsters in the academy a chance to play in the first team.

“The manager is a big promoter of youth and you can see that in training, the amount of young players training with the boys, the first team – he’s definitely into the that,” continued Vokins.

“Players come in and out, it depends on what positions are needed.

“He tells me to be very aggressive with my defending and he’s very helpful with what I need to improve on.

“He’s definitely helping me improve as a player.”