Joey Dawson certainly caught the eye as an early replacement for the injured Kyogo in Celtic’s last game before the Winter break. Indeed, the young striker played well and was unlucky not to score as his chipped effort late on had the sting taken out of it by St Johnstone ‘keeper Elliot Parish, before agonisingly being cleared off the line.
Today Dawson will return to action for Celtic, this time out for Tommy McIntyre’s B team in their Lowland League tie, at the Penny Cars stadium, against Caledonian Braves. A game season ticket holders can tune into as an ‘additional benefit’ via the Pass to Paradise from 2.45 today, with kick off at 3pm.
🟢⚪️ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʜᴏʏꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ⚪️🟢
👀 Come and watch the young #Celts take on @TheBravesFC this Sunday at the Penny Cars Stadium!
🎟️ Tickets ➡️ https://t.co/rQnqN4zBRO#LowlandLeague 🍀 @CelticFC https://t.co/PQn4hosqtj
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) January 5, 2022
Joey has been talking to the official Celtic website, celticfc.com about his ‘crazy’ debut and why games like today and consistent performances for the B team are essential if he’s to force his way into first team recognition and realise that trust Ange Postecoglou placed on the 18-year-olds shoulders.
“At the time, I was just focusing on the game, I wasn’t thinking about everything else that comes with making your debut,” Dawson said. “It was crazy and I’m obviously still very proud of it. It’s a big confidence booster as well, knowing that the manager put his trust in you for the game
“It makes you want it more. I’ve just got to keep working hard and keep scoring goals for the B team.”
And what of that near miss in a debut the youngster described as a “big deal and an honour”?
“All my family said they were jumping up and nearly banging their heads on the ceiling when they saw the ball go over him – but then it was cleared off the line,” Joey revealed.
There was certainly plenty of promise shown by Joey Dawson in that boxing day fixture, but at such a young age and with so many players ahead of him in the pecking order it will be a tough gig, as it is for any youngster trying to make the grade at Celtic, to impact too much on the first team so early.
🗨️ "It makes you want it more. I’ve just got to keep working hard and keep scoring goals for the B team."
Debutant Joey Dawson was thrilled to get back home for the winter break to share the moment with friends and family. 🍀⤵️#CelticFCB | @CelticFCB
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 8, 2022
However, alongside B Team teammate Owen Moffat, who has also impressed during Celtic’s injury crisis, the manager is certainly now aware of the promise of Joey Dawson, as much as young Moffat.
It is now down to Dawson himself to bang in the goals in the Lowland League and try to catch the eye of Ange Postecoglou again. What better way to do that by getting on the goal trail against Caledonian Braves?
There will be plenty of season ticket holders tuning in today, it may well be Ange Postecoglu will too, and Joey Dawson will surely be one he’ll be paying close attention to.
Niall J
🟢⚪️ It's MATCHDAY ⚪️🟢
🆚 @TheBravesFC
🏟️ Penny Cars Stadium, Airdrie
🕒 3pm KO
📺 Pass to Paradise & @CelticTV (Overseas)
🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://t.co/rQnqN4zBRO #LowlandLeague | #COYBIG 🍀| #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/qDrG60uqXy— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) January 9, 2022
📺🍀 #CelticFC Season Ticket holders can catch every minute of @CelticFCB vs. @TheBravesFC this Sunday on @CelticFCPass!
Full info and how to watch ⬇️
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 6, 2022
