JUST three days out from his first-team debut for the Celtic debut Joey Dawson was preparing to travel to England for Christmas.

The striker, 18, was expecting to meet up with his family for the festive season before a call from B team boss Tommy McIntyre changed his plans completely.

Dawson, who joined Celtic from Scunthorpe in the summer, was told he'd have to put his Christmas plans on hold with a first-team spot looming for the St Johnstone match.

And his sacrifice to take a spot in the squad was well rewarded with his debut in the 3-1 win in Perth.

Dawson made his first appearance as he replaced Kyogo who pulled up wiht a suspected hamstring injury just 15 minutes in.

It was a proud moment for the youngster, who insisted his Christmas Day sacrifice was more than worth it.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the win, he said: "Tommy, the B team manager, rang me on the 23rd and he said obviously I can't go home for Christmas because the first-team might need me.

"There was a bit of disappointment but it was bittersweet because it's all worth it today.

“It’s unbelievable and such a proud moment for me and my family.

“I’ve come a long way in a short space of time, so I just need to stay grounded and keep working hard to hopefully get more appearances.

“It’s massive for me making my Celtic debut at such a young age, it’s a great honour but now I need to keep working hard.

'Honestly, I probably didn’t think the debut would come this season, but in football, anything can happen.

"So that’s why I always have to be ready to take my chance and hopefully I did that today.”

The only slightly disappointing moment for Dawson was watching his goal bound dinked effort hooked off the line by Callum Booth in the closing stages.

He admitted: “I was devastated it didn’t go in, I don’t know how he got there to be fair.

"After I dinked the keeper I thought it was in and I had my debut goal but they’ve just stretched to keep it off the line.'

"Me scoring isn’t the main thing, the most important thing is the win.

“Having a taste of it today has just made me want more and hopefully I can keep working hard and score more goals.”