Just a year after being a non-league player for Torquay United, Angus MacDonald can barely believe that he is the captain of a Championship club.
The 24-year-old was announced yesterday as the Reds skipper, replacing new Birmingham defender Marc Roberts who he formed an excellent centre-back partnership with in his first season back in the Football League last year. He told the Chronicle: "It's a massive jump forward in my career.
"A year ago I never would have expected to be captain of a Championship club so to be in this position now is a massive privilege. It definitely hasn't sunk in how far I have come. It didn't last season and it still hasn't."
The former Reading youngster is excited to lead the team out at Bristol City tomorrow. He said: "Being named captain is definitely a proud moment."I didn't have a clue it was coming. I just got a text to come in a little bit early to see the gaffer and then he told me. I'm really excited and positive.
"It will be a great moment to lead the side out. Being captain won't change my game much. I will try to lead the team as always. I have been a captain before for Torquay so I know what it's about.
"I always try to be vocal but I will have to be a little more vocal this season and lead the team more. We have a lot of new players and young players so I will help them through the season."
MacDonald is confident the newly-assembled side can perform well in the Championship despite being humbled by a 4-0 loss at Rotherham in their last pre-season friendly on Saturday.
"There were a few things to tweak this week and take into the Bristol City game. It's good that it happened in a friendly and not in a league game."The signings that he (head coach Paul Heckingbottom) has made this season have come in and done well so we will kick on again this season."
