The West Ham United striker came off the bench during the second half of England U17s' final game of the Nike International Tournament with the score tied at 1-1 on Tuesday evening and produced a fantastic side-footed volley with 14 minutes remaining to ensure the Young Lions did not return home winless.
"I’m so grateful and happy. My mum has kept on saying to me ‘keep going’ when things weren’t going right for me," he told TheFA.com.
England v Australia
Nike U17 International Tournament Tuesday 2 December
Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Florida
"I should’ve scored from the two chances before that, but I just kept going until the end.
"I thought I did well, although I was feeling a bit tired late on as I was being used as the outlet ball all the time."
He continued: "I just remember putting the ball in the net and everyone running over celebrating.
"I heard a lot of people shouting at me to get it in the box but I thought: ‘No, I’ve got this’.
"So I waited and watched it all the way, I knew what I wanted to do and I stroked it into the net."
The forward showed fabulous composure to execute the finish, but he admits that is something that doesn't come naturally given the hours of study he puts into his game.
Hector-Ingram (right) with fellow scorer Ike Ugbo
Hector-Ingram is a huge fan of former Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry, and he is a keen student of the World Cup winner’s techniques and methods – although he always brings a bit of his own personality into his game too.
"I want to be like Thierry Henry," he explained. "I study him, and before every game I play I watch a good 15 minute clip of him.
"I try some of the things he does out on the pitch, and try to add a bit of my own style as well. Why not?
"That finish was my own style – but it did remind me a bit of Henry."
John Peacock’s Young Lions have tasted mixed fortunes throughout their time in Florida, recording one win, one draw and a defeat, but it’s only whetted the appetite of Hector-Ingram as he targets a spot in the head coach’s next squad.
"It’s been crazy, we’ve tasted a little bit of a high, a little bit of a low but we finished with a win and I’m pleased for everyone we could do that," he said.
"I have to be at the top of my game and doing my thing. I need to be consistent and if I’m lucky I’ll get another chance in the Algarve Tournament."
