Loan success at York City is the spur for striker Shaq Coulthirst

Coulthirst, 20, was a member of the Tottenham under-21 side that drew 1-1 last week against a strong second-string Manchester United outfit that included the likes of Radamel Falcao, Victor Valdes and Rafael.

He went on to make his City debut as a 56th-minute substitute for Jake Hyde during Saturday’s 0-0 home draw with Carlisle but, given a choice between playing a development match at the Theatre of Dreams or a League Two relegation dogfight, Coulthirst argued there is no contest.

Ahead of tonight’s Bootham Crescent meeting with Bury, the ex-England under-19 international said: “I would rather be playing for York against Carlisle or Bury than in an under-21 game at Old Trafford any day of the week.

“When you’re trying to stay in the league, people’s livelihoods are on the line. It gives you that sense of realism that I need at this stage of my career.

“U21 games can be more about developing players, which clubs still have to do at this level, but it’s probably more important to get the three points.”

Coulthirst denied City a share of the points at Southend in January when, during his seven-month loan stay with the Shrimpers, he converted an 88th-minute penalty at Roots Hall to secure a 1-0 win for the home team.

He is eager, though, for redemption and, with City’s regular spot-kick specialist Wes Fletcher currently sidelined, the Spurs youngster would be happy to assume 12-yard duties for his new team.

“I probably owe the club a few goals for that day and I am up for taking penalties,” he smiled.

“I am willing to put myself forward for any goalscoring opportunities.

“At this stage of my career, I want to score goals for every club I line up for and, if it is a responsibility that’s there, I’m willing to take it.”

Coulthirst’s fourth and final goal for Southend ensured the Essex club completed a double over the Minstermen following their 3-2 triumph at Bootham Crescent but, on both occasions, the Spurs reserve reasoned that there was little to choose between the two teams who are fighting out at opposite ends of the table.

“I played in the 3-2 game and both sides had chances to win,” he recalled. “Southend were just a bit better in both boxes on the day.

“The home match was very similar although York probably had the edge before the penalty.”

Having been restricted to just a dozen league starts for Southend, Coulthirst decided to seek new pastures and, despite not being short on offers, opted on City for a contrasting experience with his three previous loan spells all coming at clubs south of Tottenham.

He was also attracted to working for a manager in Russ Wilcox, who had tried to take him to League One Scunthorpe – the City chief ’s previous club - in the summer.

 “I left Southend due to a lack of game time and, hopefully, I can get more minutes on the pitch with York,” the Hackney-born attacker explained. “All the other teams I have played for have been based in the south and I also thought it would be good for me to experience a different environment because it’s the first time I’ve been up here.

“There were a few other clubs interested in me as well, but I thought I’d go with the manager that’s been keeping tabs on me for a while.”

Having hit the target for all three of his previous loan clubs – Southend, Torquay and Leyton Orient – Coulthirst is clear in his ambitions for the rest of the season at Bootham Crescent.

“I want to get lots of goals, minutes on the pitch and starts for the team,” he declared. “With those goals would come wins and good performances, hopefully, because I don’t just want the club to stay up.

“I want us to climb up the table and I have seen there is enough quality in the group to finish higher.”

Coulthirst was also keen to highlight the positives from Saturday’s stalemate against fellow strugglers Carlisle, where he felt Sean O’Hanlon should have received his marching orders, rather than just a caution, after hacking him down on the edge of the penalty box in the 74th minute.

He added: “I thought we had a few chances that we could have put away but it was good to get another clean sheet against a team that’s in the same situation as ourselves.

It was also good for myself to get a good run out on the pitch and an opportunity to affect the game.

“When their player got booked, I felt my next touch would have been a shot on goal and I didn’t see anyone else around, so it should have been a sending off.”

The 5ft 9in striker does not want to make a big issue of City’s much- maligned playing surface either, saying: “To be honest, this late in the season, all pitches are difficult and you’ve just got to get on with it.

“The team have got to stay up and we can’t really worry about that. Southend’s pitch was pretty much the same when I was there.”

Long-term, Coulthirst is hoping to follow the same route to the top of his profession enjoyed by the likes of his former U21 team-mate Harry Kane and others at White Hart Lane like England international Andros Townsend and Ryan Mason.

Kane, 21, went on loan to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester before exploding on to the Premier League scene and plundering 26 goals this season – a tally that is certain to earn him a Three Lions call-up.

Winger Townsend, meanwhile, was farmed out to nine different teams, including the likes of Yeovil and MK Dons, before his emergence for club and country, with Coulthirst pointing out: “Harry and I played quite a few under-21 games together when we weren’t out on loan and, to be fair, I was up there with him in terms of goals scored.

“Harry’s an excellent finisher but I can also weigh in with my fair share. It’s always inspirational to see someone you have played with go on to bigger things, which is exactly what I’m looking to do.

“Our academy manager John McDermott has always told the group to take any opportunity to go out on loan. As well as Harry, Andros and Ryan have done exactly the same thing I’m doing so, hopefully, it will help my career too.”