Daniel McManus was delighted to make his St Mirren breakthrough in last night's 0-0 draw with Celtic, and says the whole situation was surreal.
The Paisley side were hit hard by Covid cases, but were denied a postponement of the game, which saw boss Jim Goodwin recall several loan players from the lower leagues.
That meant 18-year-old McManus was plucked from Lowland League side East Kilbride to sit on the bench, and was given his debut in the 88th minute of the game.
Midfielder McManus would otherwise have been involved in East Kilbride's Lowland League clash with Celtic 'B', and says playing against their first team was brilliant.
McManus, from East Kilbride, said: "It was a good experience. Obviously I wasn't expecting it, I just got the call at the last minute because of all the Covid cases, but luckily I got my breakthrough and get my chance.
"It's a great feeling, stepping on the pitch, and going from watching them on TV to playing against them was a bit surreal, but it was a great experience.
"It was a brilliant result, we played excellent, defensively it was very good, we didn't give them too many clear-cut chances, although they dominated possession.
"That was our game-plan, we stuck to it, and did well."
McManus' recall to Saints means he has left East Kilbride for now, but reckons he will be put back out on loan in the new year, and says he's open to a return to K-Park. Boss Chris Aitken is certainly keen on the teenager returning.
He said: "Right now I'm back at St Mirren, but obviously if players were coming back from Covid and the squad is going to get bigger, I'm probably going to find myself back out on loan - but we'll see how it comes. I'm not too sure in the coming weeks.
"I've really enjoyed my time at East Kilbride, I've really enjoyed it a lot.
"I think the gaffer likes me, and I've been doing well, so it has been good and I wouldn't mind going back. I'd be happy to go back.
"But at the moment it's about trying to get into the team at St Mirren."
McManus added: "The season so far has been great. I've been getting good game-time at East Kilbride, playing well, scoring goals and getting assists, and helping the team.
"We were on a really good run of form before the Celtic 'B' game [a 3-0 defeat last night], so I've been doing well and enjoying it."
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