PAUL YOUNG has already taken a bow before 40,000 Rangers fans at a packed Hampden Park – so won’t be fazed by 300 at little Bellslea tonight.
The Fraserburgh midfielder shared the pitch with Ibrox legends Ronald de Boer, Arthur Numan, Fernando Ricksen and Barry Ferguson when he appeared as a mascot at the 2003 Scottish Cup final.
As Rangers triumphed with a Lorenzo Amoruso winner against Dundee that day, the 11-year-old Young could hardly have imagined he’d be facing the Light Blues 15 years later.
Young recalled: “I was just a lad when I walked out at Hampden Park – 11 years old. I was the chosen Broch mascot that day because there was a representative from every senior club there.
“My dad, Jimmy, is good friends with the Broch chairman Finlay Noble and I think he maybe out a word in for me.
“I remember just looking up and seeing close to 50,000 fans singing and jumping around. It was amazing – a great experience.
“At the time, you wonder if it is as good as it gets and it was certainly special, a surreal moment.
“But I think it will top it if I’m selected to face Rangers, even at a much smaller ground.”
The current Ibrox incarnation may not hold quite the international class they did in 2003, but Young is excited by the prospect of squaring up to the likes of new signings Jamie Murphy, Jason Cummings, Russell Martin and Sean Goss.
The 25-year-old stressed: “It is going to be a tremendous occasion in front of the live cameras. There are a lot of Rangers fans from the Fraserburgh area so there will probably be a lot of people with split loyalties, but hopefully most behind us.
“We just have to enjoy it. There’s no pressure as we’re expected to be well-beaten. It is an occasion we probably won’t see again.”
Young’s previous biggest outing came for Turriff United against Hibs two years ago in the Irn-Bru Cup at the Haughs. It ended in a routine 3-0 loss.
He recalled: “That was some experience, but this should top it being the Scottish Cup.
“There will probably be a better atmosphere just because of how tight and crowded Bellslea is – so it will be something to savour.”
Young isn’t the first in his family to play for the Broch with dad Jimmy turning out for the Buchan outfit during the 1980s and 90s.
He said: “Dad had cup runs himself, but it was harder for teams to progress in the Scottish Cup when he played. Teams had to go through the Qualifying Cup and only a few got in.
“He’s had big occasions as well, but I don’t think he’s topped playing Rangers.”
Young and the rest of the part-time Broch players were focusing on day jobs in the build-up, but excitement was building all week.
He added: “I’m not sure how Rangers have prepared but I’ve been working as normal this week.
“Hopefully, whatever happens, they will know they’ve been in a game and we can hold our heads high.”
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