The 18-year-old stopper’s presence in the Pars goal as they began against Forfar on Saturday would have surprised latecomers to East End Park after Ryan Scully was forced out of the team with a back problem during the warm-up.

It is an unusual situation for a substitute goalkeeper to be asked to step in at such late notice and while Wilson told Press Sport he was taken aback, he could at least draw upon a similar experience while playing for the under-20s.

“It was a shock to be told that I would have to step in and play, so I was a bit nervous at first, but I needed to be prepared for it,” he said.

“I was chucked in like that once before in a 20s game when Ryan Goodfellow had to pull out just before the kick-off, so I did have a little bit of experience of what it’s like. But I wasn’t expecting it, so it was hard and playing in the first team is a big step up from the under-20s, especially just now because I thought I’d maybe be 19-20 before I got my debut.

“But in a way it was maybe better for me that I didn’t have much time to think about it. If I knew the week before that I’d be playing I’d have maybe over-thought things but after the first couple of kicks I settled in and it felt like a normal game. It was a good experience.” The concession of three goals in the opening half was not how he’d hoped his debut would go but he revealed that some words of advice from the Loons’ veteran ex-Scotland number one Rab Douglas – who took to social media afterwards to praise Wilson – as the teams emerged from the tunnel helped boost his confidence.

He continued, “To play against a legend like Rab Douglas was great and when he came over to me before the game, he just told me not to worry about things and play my normal game. For him to give me some advice was great and it put me more at ease.

“I felt comfortable playing with the likes of Declan (O’Kane) as we have a good understanding in the 20s but it’s easier to play when you train with the first team boys anyway. I would be happy to play again if I’m needed at Airdrie on Saturday.” Wilson is one of a number of Pars players who are out of contract at the end of May, and he added, “I’m hoping that I will be offered a new contract because it’s different class here. Everybody at the club from the gaffer, the players and to Mo (Hutton, kitman) are absolutely brilliant so I’d love to stay here.”