JOSH Johnson was grateful to Oxford United’s experienced heads for helping him through his senior debut.

The midfielder, who does not turn 17 until next month, was a 76th-minute substitute for Marcus McGuane in last night's penalty shoot-out win over Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup.

U’s head coach Karl Robinson rates Johnson highly and revealed the teenager would have started if he had not been forced to isolate for ten days prior to the game.

The youngster was not afraid to get involved during his 20 minutes on the pitch and his pass to right back Anthony Forde led to United’s goal.

Read also: Karl Robinson gives his thoughts on Josh Johnson's debut

Johnson said: “The manager told me ‘you know why you’re here, so just believe in yourself’.

“The first-team players were there for me, telling me that I can carry on doing what I do well.

“It was a really good experience, the crowd was really good.

“I was nervous at the start, but once I started getting into the game I felt a bit better and came to life.”

Johnson, from London, is the fifth 16-year-old Robinson has handed a debut at United, after Fabio Lopes, Slavi Spasov, Tyler Goodrham and Gatlin O’Donkor.

He only began his first-year scholarship this summer, having left Fulham last November and joined the U’s earlier this year.

Johnson had plenty of first-team experience in pre-season, playing against Hayes & Yeading United, Peterborough United and Bristol Rovers.

He is not getting ahead of himself, though.

“Now it’s about trying to maintain this level and not get complacent,” Johnson said.

“It’s helped me become a better player, going against physical players.”