The Emirates FA Cup is a part of the fabric of the game in this country, but over the years, the tales of giant-killings and David against Goliath encounters have quite rightly travelled far beyond our shores.
To reaffirm that point, American native Matt Olosunde told www.themillers.co.uk that whilst the competition wasn’t the institution it is here whilst growing up in Philadelphia, the importance of Saturday’s Third Round tie at Everton will not be lost on him.
"We're definitely up for it. Personally, I'm really excited for the opportunity to play in the FA Cup and at a Premier League club - these are the moments you dream about - and we'll really get ourselves up for what will be a tough game,” he explained.
"We'd sit down and watch the games back home, so it shows how far the story of the FA Cup has reached. I have to admit, I'd usually be watching [Manchester] United when they were involved!”
The Millers have been pitted against Carlo Ancelotti’s high-flying Toffees in their first involvement in the competition and with international stars including Colombian ace James Rodriguez and Brazilian forward Richarlison among the ranks at Goodison Park, Olosunde is anticipating a stern examination of he and his teammates’ credentials.
"This will be a great test for us and I feel like it is a really good stage for everyone to show what they're about and what they're capable of doing."
"Playing against players like that and other world class players is definitely exciting and the lads will be fired up to be sharing a pitch with them.”
This Third Round tie would have been considerably more eye-catching to the Millers faithful had we not been living through a pandemic which means that sadly, this game will once again be played behind-closed-doors.
However, whilst versatile right-sider Olosunde shares the supporters’ disappointment in missing out of a trip to a packed away end at Goodison Park, he recognises it is a good opportunity to showcase the club’s abilities live on television.
"All my friends and family back home have been checking which channel BT Sports is and they'll be watching so I'll be making sure I give them a performance to be proud of,” he revealed.
"I'm gutted and I'm gutted for the fans because I know plenty would have loved to see a game like the one on Saturday. Unfortunately, that represents the times we're living in but we'll still go out there and give it everything for them.”
The 22-year-old concluded by adding that whilst this weekend’s Emirates FA Cup clash offers a different challenge to those posed in the Sky Bet Championship, the Millers will as ever, be looking to maintain the same standards on the pitch.
“It is a nice distraction but we won't let it take away from our aims in the league,” Olosunde reaffirmed.
“We're going out there to win as we would do any other game and like in the Championship, we just want to prove ourselves to people as a team.”