The huge smile told the story as Adam Idah spoke to the media following his FA Cup treble at Preston – which made him Norwich City’s youngest ever hat-trick hero.

The 18-year-old was the star of the show as the Canaries won 4-2 in the third round, sealing the club's first FA Cup victory in seven years.

That edges him ahead of Craig Bellamy and Justin Fashanu, who both scored trebles as 19-year-olds for City and launches his senior career, in just his third appearance at first team level.

"Obviously it's a great start to the year for me, just over the moon really to get a hat-trick," a buzzing Idah said. Even to start the game was unbelievable so it's been great.

"To get an early goal was unbelievable and brings up my confidence, to get off the mark and get another two goals is great for me."

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was signed from College Corinthians in the summer of 2017 and starred as the under-18s reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals in 2017-18, signing a new long-term contract last summer.

With City going to Manchester United in the Premier League next Saturday and senior strikers Teemu Pukki, Josip Drmic and Dennis Srbeny all fitness doubts, Idah was asked about the prospect of playing at Old Trafford.

He replied: "That's what I'm working towards, working hard every day in training to try and get that opportunity and I'm just delighted to take it really."

His hat-trick was sealed by a penalty midway through the second half, having finished one-on-one and early and then curled in a 35-yard effort after goalkeeping error in the first half.

But he revealed: "Todd Cantwell was put on penalties tonight but to be fair to Todd he let me take it to get the hat-trick, so I was just delighted."

That was powerfully tucked home at the same end as the 800 away fans enjoying a rare FA Cup success for the Canaries, with Idah adding: "There is a bit of pressure but I've taken penalties all my life so I had to just put the pressure behind me and it was good to score."

City now go into the fourth round draw on Monday evening, which will be made at 7.35pm live on BBC One.