Exeter relish 'amazing' FA Cup draw against Forest
Exeter City are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1981
- Published
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says he is excited by the prospect of playing Premier League high-fliers Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fourth round.
The Grecians, currently 15th in League One, were drawn at home to Forest, who are third in the top flight, after coming from a goal down to beat Championship side Oxford United 3-1 on Saturday.
"It's amazing," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.
"It's obviously brilliant to be in the draw and it's brilliant to have a Premier League club come to St James Park again.
"We'll be really excited about it, but there's a lot of league games to play before then. But it's something for our ers to really look forward to."
The tie comes 20 years after Exeter took Manchester United to a third-round replay after a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford - the revenues from which helped build the foundations for the side today.
Exeter's last game against top flight opposition saw them beat Luton Town 1-0 in the Carabao Cup last season while the Grecians took Liverpool to a replay in the FA Cup third round in 2016 after a 2-2 draw at St James Park.
"It seems a long time ago now, but we've had a couple of big ones," said Exeter president Julian Tagg.
"The planning is quite extensive and it's going to extend everybody,
"But it's one of those quality problems that I'm sure everybody's looking forward to getting stuck into."
Exeter shock Championship side Oxford to march into fourth round
The draw for the fourth round has seen the two remaining sides from Devon draw Premier League opposition at home.
Leaders Liverpool will travel to face Exeter's arch rivals Plymouth Argyle over the same weekend in early February as both clubs hope for an upset.
"For the two West Country teams, one to draw the top of the Premier League and one to draw third in the Premier League is incredible," added Tagg.
"I have to say there is an element of jealousy there, Liverpool is the name that everybody re.
"They are a fantastic team, there's no doubt about that, but it is going to be a challenge for them.
"I think both football clubs have a mutual respect for each other. Both clubs have great academies, they do great work in the community
"It's a great day for south-west football."