Anyone worried that Scott Fraser might get stage fright at the Etihad Stadium tonight should recall his debut for Dundee United.
Then aged just 19, Fraser ran on to Celtic Park in front of 52,000 spectators on Sunday, May 11, 2014 to taste first team football for the very first time.
He wasn’t fazed as he replaced experienced colleague John Rankin for the final part of a game that had already run away from the Tangerines, who by then were 3-1 down to the newly-crowned champions.
Fraser, now 23, was never one to worry too much about who he was playing against and that will be the case again this evening against the megastars of Manchester City.
His club, Burton Albion, find themselves in dreamland as they prepare to play the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final before hosting City back at the Pirelli Stadium on January 22.
Fraser’s captain Jake Buxton certainly has no worries about how he and his young colleagues will handle this massive challenge.
“The younger lads will fancy themselves,” said Buxton.
“You look at Scott Fraser and the others.
“They have had good periods in the side and done well, and they’ve got an opportunity to stand toe-to-toe with people that are the best in their position.
“I’m sure they’ll fancy themselves to have a right go.”
Indeed, Fraser has been a key part of the EFL League One team since heading down south from United last summer.
He has made 31 appearances for Nigel Clough’s men and scored four times, including a strike against Nottingham Forest in the last-16 clash in the Carabao.
Fraser can barely hide his excitement.
He said: “It’s unbelievable.
“In the semi-final draw it was us, Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester City, so it was all a bit surreal.
“This is the sort of thing my agent and I spoke about in the summer before I signed.
“It was the thought of just needing one cup draw, one chance against one of the big teams.
“But we’ve knocked out Aston Villa, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough, all big clubs.
“To have the chance to go and play City now, it’s just . . . wow.
“I got a Tweet last month after the draw, reminding me that two years ago I’d just played in a 0-0 draw with Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.
“Now I’m away to be playing Manchester City at the Etihad.”
