HUDDERSFIELD Town's Paul Dixon has paid a magnificent tribute to the coach he credits for making him a Scotland international.

The 25-year-old Town left-back became a full international in the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia last week.

It was the pinnacle of a career which began in the age-group ranks at Dundee, where coach Stevie Campbell was the guiding light for Town’s talented No3.

Campbell (who is now at Tannadice) was in the crowd on Saturday as Town collected three points from a hard-earned 1-0 victory against Derby County, and Dixon presented him with one of his Scotland shirts.

“I’m more than happy with the choice I made to come to Huddersfield, I’ve settled in well and my family have settled in well too,” said Dixon, who was spotted by Dundee when playing for local side Monifieth Athletic and later went on to play for city rivals Dundee United.

“Even my old coach, Stevie Campbell, was down to watch the match on Saturday and that was brilliant for me.

“He is the guy I attribute my career to basically, the person who made me what I am.

“Stevie was my coach from 12 years of age at Dundee and he took me through to the end of Under 19s, and I firmly believe that if it wasn’t for his coaching I wouldn’t be here.

“It was really nice to have him down watching my game and seeing my progress, and I gave him a Scotland shirt to say ‘thank you’.

“That was my pay-back to him for all his time, effort and advice and he was very happy, which was great.”

Dixon impressed the national media and supporters at Hampden Park, making a man-of-the-match debut in the 0-0 draw with Serbia and backing that up with another solid show in the 1-1 stalemate with Macedonia.

“I don’t think last week could have gone much better for me, really, other than perhaps if we’d got two wins,” he said.

“The thing is, though, we are still unbeaten and we need to focus on that in the two games coming up in October. Fingers crossed, I’ve done enough to stay in the manager’s plans.”