Stamenic ready to 'fight for the badge' after getting his Swans career underway

MARKO Stamenic has pledged to 'fight for the badge' for at Swansea City after making his debut off the bench in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Watford.

- TOM COLEMAN Football Writer

The New Zealand international was introduced just before the hour, with his team trailing to a first-half freekick from Nestory Irankunda.

After picking up a yellow card just seconds after coming on for a heavy challenge, the 23-year-old soon settled into the contest, helping inspire his side to what was, in the end, a deserved point.

"I do my role and I fight for the badge," he said looking back on his debut cameo.

"I fight for my teammates. In that situation, I saw a danger threat, and I thought, 'just take him down and eliminate him.'

"I just had to keep my head mellow for the rest of the game, but also have that intent to be strong and to be aggressive."

Stamenic, who is hoping to win a place in New Zealand's World Cup squad next summer, says he's already been impressed by what he's seen from the club, whom he has fond memories of watching when he was a youngster.

"It's a big historical club and I remember watching them from a young age back home in New Zealand.