Martin Samuelsen’s hunger is embodiment of Hull City’s ethos

The Norwegian has pressed his claims for a starting spot in the league with two impressive performances in the Papa John’s Trophy, with the latest seeing him score twice in Tuesday’s comprehensive 3-0 derby triumph over Grimsby Town, which enabled the Tigers to win Group H. Towards the end, Samuelsen spurned the chance of taking home the matchball after earning a late penalty, which was saved by Mariners keeper James McKeown – leading to some light-headed stick from the Tigers No 2 afterwards.

One thing that Byrne and manager Grant McCann are deadly serious about is players showing intensity and a non-stop work ethic in all of their endeavours and the sight of Samuelsen grafting for the team cause in his defensive duties will have been duly noted.

Samuelsen, whose wonderful curling shot put Hull on their way against Grimsby, said: “I have been working really hard and it is impossible to hide from Cliff, our assistant manager, who keeps on my back.

“‘You have got no chance in this team’. ‘You have to run or you will get spotted’. It’s good for me.

“It has been difficult not playing as much as I’d like to. But I think I have dealt with it in a good way with my reaction and work-rate in training and doing the extras, so I am ready when I get the chance and I think in these last two games, I have put a shift in.

“At half-time, Cliff was saying: ‘You should have been on the back post, you could have had a hat-trick’ and after the game, he was giving me stick for the penalty. But that’s what it’s like, he wants to get the best out of everyone.”

Hull’s comfortable victory enabled them to top Group H on a night when Harrogate Town’s elimination from the competition was confirmed, with the Tigers affording themselves the fillip of a home draw in the next round in the process.

McCann said: “Like I said to the players, we are four games away from a trip to Wembley, that is how close it is.

“I know we will probably have some difficult games along the way. But we have got a home game and we will see what Friday’s draw throws up.”

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