Halford 'buzzing' despite penalty blow

The youngster's first appearance for Steve Coppell's side saw him give away the penalty that allowed Robbie Keane to fire the winning goal in their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

But Halford's first game for former club Colchester also ended on a low note when they were handed a drubbing at Luton.

The 22-year-old defender was understandably excited when he found out that he would be playing instead of Graeme Murty against Spurs, but his debut soon turned sour when referee Alan Wiley pointed to the spot in the 39th minute for handball.

Dejected Halford, who joined Reading from Colchester for £2.5million in January, said: "I was buzzing to know I was going to play and loved every minute of it.

"The quality is a lot better at this level. My last game was against Ipswich in late January so my match fitness isn't really there.

"I was getting tired near the end and then they put Aaron Lennon on the left, which wasn't great for me.

"It was a bittersweet debut, but it seems to be the way it goes for me as when I made my debut for Colchester, we lost 5-0 at Luton.

"The penalty was a bit hard as I felt it was ball-to-hand and not hand-to-ball. The referee shook his head at first and then all of a sudden he has given it, which was a bit strange.

"He didn't say he changed his mind. He said the ball had changed direction purely because it hit my hand.

"It leaves a bit of a bitter feeling but these things happen."

Reading had goalkeepers Marcus Hahnemann and Adam Federici to thank for keeping the scoreline down.

Hahnemann pulled off a string of superb saves in the opening half before being replaced at half-time because of a hip injury and Federici followed suit in the second period.

Tottenham's victory moved them up into sixth position in the Barclays Premiership and Halford admits it will be tough for Reading to realise their own European ambitions this season.

The Royals are four points behind Spurs in eighth place with Everton also hunting European qualification.

Halford added: "It's going to be tough for us to finish in the top six. We want to pick up as many points as possible and prove that we are up there on ability and not luck.

"It will be tough to get into Europe now, but we will keep going."

But Halford is ready to put his debut nightmare behind him by trying to ensure he gets a regular place in Coppell's side. Furthermore, he has already set his long-term goals on playing for England.

Halford added: "My short-term ambition is just to play as many games as possible until the end of the season.

"Long-term I would like to win some silverware with Reading and hopefully get in the England squad.

"I have a lot of admiration for Gary Neville, he has been a top player in my position for many years now."

His international debut will certainly be one to watch.