A SOUTHEND schoolboy earned praise from Jose Mourinho after inspiring a comeback as Tottenham Hotspur booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Spurs came from behind to seal a 4-2 Group B win over Olympiacos and the fightback started thanks to the quick thinking of 15-year-old ballboy Callum Hynes, who quickly retrieved the ball to start the move which culminated in Harry Kane levelling matters.

And, as a result, the Southend High School for Boys pupil was hailed by Spurs head coach Mourinho.

Mourinho, who celebrated with Callum after Kane netted, said: “To do that, you have to be a very good ballboy.

“He understands the game, reads the game, he’s not there just to look to the stands, or to the lights, or to the scarves. He’s there living the game and playing the game very, very well.

“In the end, I wanted to invite him to the dressing room to celebrate with us, but he disappeared. I don’t know where he is but he is a very good ballboy.”

Callum is the nephew of Concord Rangers boss Danny Scopes.

And Scopes was full of joy after discovering the Leigh Ramblers youngster’s inspired piece of work.

Scopes said: “Callum has been a ballboy at Tottenham for three or four years, having worked at the old White Hart Lane, Wembley and now Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“He was desperate to be a ballboy in the new stadium and I think he is now one of the senior ballboys, hence why he is now closer to the home bench.

“Callum is such a wonderful kid and I’m really pleased for him.

“Playing a part in one of the goals was fantastic and claiming an assist when you’re not even a player is something else!

“He has a good football brain and he knew the circumstances in that situation.”