Having “just hit it”, Birch took the adulation around the Etihad Stadium and had opponents like Rayan Cherki pat him on the back as James Trafford picked the ball out of the net.
“Playing against players that I did is a really good confidence booster,” Birch said.
“It makes me feel like I can do it at that level, so that’s really going to push me on confidence-wise.
“I remember Bernardo Silva came up to me after the game and was like ‘what a goal’ and obviously Cherki as I was running back, that was such a good feeling.
“I was on the pitch, I was seeing Cherki try to rainbow flick someone. Seeing idols like that, it’s unreal when they congratulate my goal.”
It thrust Birch into the limelight as the teenager saw his goal shown around the world.
The youngster, who signed his first professional contract last May, says his focus now is to try to build on the moment and add to the five first-team games he has played in so far.
“It’s no doubt the best moment of my life so far,” he said. “I am trying to take it in my stride.
“Just getting as many minutes as I can. Ideally goals and assists because that’s what I want to base my game around.
“Man City is a great moment, but hopefully I can use that moment to get into the first team here.”
