DOUG THARME counts himself lucky to have ‘lived the dream’ of captaining Wrexham.

The 20-year-old was handed the armband in the last round of the Scottish Challenge Cup as Wrexham beat St Mirren Colts 4-1 to secure a quarter-final clash with Rangers Colts.

Tharme was surprised to lead Wrexham out ahead of more experienced team-mates, including Rob Lainton and Akil Wright, but is proud to be flying the flag for the club’s rising stars.

“It was a bit surreal. I wasn’t expecting it,” said Tharme of being handed the armband.

“It was a nice surprise and an even nicer one for my mum, who I didn’t tell so she turned up and saw me leading the team out. She got a bit emotional and emotional is the word that sums it up.

“I take pride in the fact the manager trusts me enough to lead the team out when we had a few experienced pros playing.

“I can take a lot of pride from leading the team out and I feel I’m quite lucky to have captained Wrexham Football Club.

“It’s something most people, especially in the academy, dream of and I am one of those people who has been able to live that dream for a lot of the youngsters.”

Keates captained Wrexham to FA Trophy glory and led hometown club Walsall during his career.

And Tharme knows that Keates wouldn’t just throw the armband to anybody, continuing: “I’ve got a bit of history with the gaffer.

“When he was here last he was the one who wanted to offer me my first pro deal, so that year in the youth team I demonstrated that I could be a leader on and off the pitch. I’d like to think that impression and the one I’ve made since he came back has led to him making me captain.”

Tharme isn’t pinning his hopes on being handed the opportunity to lead Wrexham out at Ibrox tomorrow, however, adding: “I don’t take it lightly and I’m not expecting to be captain again against Rangers with the experienced pros we’ve got.

“Whether it was a one-off or something that can happen again, I will take great pride in.”

The young defender is ready to impress Keates though, if he’s selected in Wrexham’s defence.

“I’m chomping at the bit,” he said. “I’ve not played much in the last year and a half, so any opportunity I get I’m looking forward to and everyone at home knows I’m doing all I can.”

Having played and captained Wrexham, the chance to run out at a stadium as prestigious as Ibrox would be another thing ticked off Tharme’s list of goals.

“I wasn’t expecting to play at Ibrox,” he said. “When we were playing against Ayr and St Mirren Colts I was thinking ‘We might just get a load of home ties and end up winning it in Wales’.

“Anyone would snatch at the chance to play at Ibrox.”

And Tharme expects to have a few familiar faces in the crowd tomorrow with more than 800 Wrexham fans making the trip.

“I imagine I will take a few to watch me at Ibrox,” he said with a broad smile. “It’s maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity.”