Spurs keeper reveals secret behind scoring £75k goal to set up Man City clash

Tottenham fans have been enamoured with their new man between the sticks in recent weeks but a shot-stopper already on their books has generated even bigger headlines.

Keeley signed on loan for League One Leyton Orient from Spurs in the summer in a bid to gain more senior first-team minutes.

The 21-year-old was nominated for the division's Player of the Month award in December but has made a bigger mark in the FA Cup.

Orient have enjoyed a club-record run of seven straight clean sheets - with Keely the No.1 for all but one of those games.

However, the Irishman is not just content with keeping goals out - he also got on the scoresheet himself in the FA Cup second-round.

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With the O's on the brink of being knocked out at home by National League side Oldham Athletic Keely equalised in the ninth minute of stoppage-time with a bullet header from a corner.

During an exclusive interview with talkSPORT's Hawsbee & Jacobs, the Tottenham loanee has lifted the lid on his FA Cup heroics.

"I wouldn't say I go up often," Keely joked. "It wasn't bad [his header]. It wasn't bad at all - It was the last minute so I just said I'd get myself up there and be an extra number in the box."

Keely continued: "It's so rare. That's why everyone gets so hyped about it, you know what I mean?

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"I used to be an outfielder when I was younger, I wasn't always a goalkeeper so, I kind of always had a bit of an instinct of being in the box."

Keely's first-ever professional goal was enough to send the match to extra-time, where Dan Agyei's strike secured a 2-1 victory for Orient which bagged the £75,000 jackpot for second-round victors.

Even greater riches now potentially await the O's, with a potential blockbuster visit of Premier League champions Manchester City.

Orient's scheduled third-round meeting with Derby County was postponed over the weekend due to inclement weather.

The two teams will instead face-off on Tuesday - now armed with the knowledge that a home clash with Pep Guardiola's side is the prize.

However, Keeley might not have been involved at all following speculation his parent club Spurs would recall him.

Tottenham's first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario remains out with a long-term ankle injury, with back-up Fraser Forster then being wiped out by a sickness bug.

Asked whether he was wondering whether he was going to get the call back at one point, Keeley told talkSPORT: "Yeah, it was a bit of a mad situation, to be fair.

"But I didn't really know what to expect. I think more stuff was in the media than being told to me."

Brandon Austin, who joined Spurs as a 16-year-old in 2015, ultimately made his first competitive appearance for the club in nine years during their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.

He added: "I haven't had a chance to speak to him, to be fair. But he's been at the club for a long, long time.

"For him to get the chance to play, and play the way he did, is brilliant for him. Brilliant.

Keeley will now get the opportunity to serve up a timely reminder of his qualities as Orient look to continue their recent fine form.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who originally played as a centre-half, trained with St Patrick's Athletic first team at age 17.

It was there that he formed a close bond with the goalkeeping coach Pat Jennings Jr - the son of the legendary Spurs goalkeeper.

Keeley officially joined Tottenham in July 2022, and signed a new contract with the Lilywhites before moving to east London.

He added: "I'm absolutely loving it. Since I came in the door [at Orient], the whole club's just a proper close family.

"Obviously, my loan ends up in the summer. So, come summertime, we'll see what happens then."

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First up is the visit of Derby but Orient manager Richie Wellens will be in no doubt of who to call upon if he needs a goal late on.

Can he do it again? - "Why not? I don't see why not!"