Proud day for Abbott and Aina impresses England ace

NOTTINGHAM Forest must quickly put their Wembley heartbreak behind them as they prepare for a crucial final sprint to the line in their Premier League campaign.

- By SARAH CLAPSON

The Reds lost 2-0 to Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final on Sunday. But they cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves as they still have Champions League qualification to fight for.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have five league games remaining to clinch a top-five finish and secure their place among Europe's elite. With the end in sight, here’s a look at the latest goings-on Trentside.

Proud moment

Zach Abbott was in the Wembley stands as a 15-year-old three years ago, watching Forest secure promotion to the Premier League. On Sunday, he was out there on the pitch making only his second start in the Garibaldi.

The teenager's parents and grandparents were in attendance for his big day. And when the crowd chanted “he’s one of our own” as Abbott’s name was read out pre-match, it was enough to make the hairs on the back of the defender’s neck stand up. The experience has given him a taste for more.

"It's a bittersweet moment for me. It’s a really proud day for me and my family,” he told ITV afterwards.

“I've dreamt of days like this - all of us together - because there’s so much sacrifice and hard work that goes into getting me to here. Unfortunately the result didn’t go our way.

“The fans were excellent. Immense. When I heard them chanting my name in the warm-up, I got goosebumps. It was one of the best feelings of my life.

“I used to live around London way when I was really young. My dad used to say it was a treat coming to Wembley and watching England.

“Now I've played on the pitch, I just want more and more.”

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