When Jack McMillan talks about the uncompromising atmosphere under Gary Caldwell at Exeter City, it might cause some former Partick Thistle players to shudder. Caldwell’s reputation for intense team-building exercises precedes him, having famously subjected his squad to a harrowing day with the British Army Parachute Regiment at Garelochhead seven years ago. Tales of tears and failed escape attempts became part of the lore surrounding this extreme bonding experience, where players were ‘kidnapped’ by the SAS.

Despite this intimidating history, McMillan finds Caldwell’s rigorous standards and strategic leadership invigorating. The former Celtic and Scotland defender has set the bar high, which McMillan appreciates. Today, however, Exeter City faces a formidable challenge as they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup third round—a daunting task for the League One team.

McMillan acknowledges the difficulty of the upcoming match, saying, “City might rest a few, but their second team is good enough to beat anyone. You want to test yourself against the best to improve. Players like Jeremy Doku or Phil Foden are performing really well, and as a full-back, I’d love the chance to go up against either of them.”

Reflecting on his past experiences, McMillan recalls, “When I was younger, I tested myself against Rangers and Celtic. That was tough enough. I made my Motherwell debut at 17 against Scott Sinclair, who was in top form and gave me a challenging day. Now, I want to experience what it’s like against these top-tier players.”

McMillan said: ‘City might rest a few but their second team is good enough to beat anyone. You want to test yourself against the best, to try to improve. I think (Jeremy) Doku or (Phil) Foden are doing really well. And, as a full-back, I’d love to play against either.

Gary Caldwell, above left, was manager of Partick Thistle back in the 2018-19 season when he gave his players a training session led by the Army

The training session was supposed to help Caldwell’s Thistle players but some of them were left petrified by the experience

Caldwell is now boss of Exeter City who face Manchester City in FA Cup on Saturday

‘When I was younger, I was testing myself against Rangers and Celtic. That’s difficult enough. I made my Motherwell debut at 17 up against Scott Sinclair. He was flying at the time and gave me a tough day. Now I want to see what it’s like against these boys.

‘We watched Man City v Chelsea in the bus on the way home from Huddersfield last Sunday. It was surreal to think: That’ll be us next weekend.’

Putting one positional foot wrong could make or break the day at the Etihad. Just as well, then, Caldwell has McMillan and company well drilled in that department.

The 28-year-old had offers to return to the Scottish Premiership 18 months ago after two seasons in the division below. Instead, he seized the chance to work with Caldwell again, a move that’s proved life-changing and career-defining.

McMillan said: ‘I felt a move to England might not come round again. It’s been one of the best things I’ve done — and that’s down to the manager who’s been unbelievable for me.

‘The exposure, the different styles of football and stadiums, the new coaching methods. He’s totally opened my eyes to how clubs work, to tactics. We have two or three meetings a day with analysis on training, how we see the game and can hurt opponents. It’s even opened my mind to coaching. It was never a thing for me after football. But it is now.

One of Caldwell’s fellow Scots at Exeter is Jack McMillan, shown celebrating his winning goal  against Wimbledon last month

McMillan previously played for Partick Thistle across two spells, most recently from 2022 to 2024

‘There are two drones at training, constantly watching you so that your positional sense is perfect. You can’t get away with anything. They’ve customised a burger van, with the Exeter badge and everything, that sits at the side of the pitch.

‘If the drone has picked something up, the manager will blow his whistle and you get pulled in there by the staff. It’s there, live on the big screen. An instant fix, showing you where you’re positionally wrong and what you can do better.’

Caldwell, who names Roberto Martinez among his influences, became a boss at 32 with Wigan. He won the League One title in April 2016 but was sacked six months later when second bottom of the Championship.

Then followed nine months at Chesterfield, 11 months with Partick and five months under Shaun Maloney at Hibs. Those short stints did little to enhance Caldwell’s managerial ambitions but didn’t deal a fatal blow to his belief.

Exeter, then, were smart to see beyond the obvious and plump for him in October 2022. Only 10 EFL bosses have been in their jobs longer than Caldwell, who has guided the Grecians to 14th, 13th and 16th in the third tier.

Money is tight and none is available for this transfer window. Club owners Exeter City Supporters Trust have asked Manchester City for a greater slice of today’s gate receipts than they are contractually obliged to receive.

McMillan is relishing the FA Cup third round clash with Manchester City on Saturday 

‘Budget-wise, I believe ours is in the middle of League Two,’ said McMillan. ‘It’s the manager’s coaching and methods that get us punching above our weight.

‘He’s taken boys like me from the Scottish Championship, picked up players from National League North and South. He knows there will be mistakes along the way with those players, but constantly coaches and works with you. Everyone in our team knows where to be on the pitch.

‘It’s hard to get players down here. I didn’t realise how far it was from, say, Manchester or London. A lot of clubs in the league can offer double the wages we do.’

Caldwell’s latest achievement is keeping Exeter focused on improving their league position to 14th since the plum FA Cup draw.

McMillan started a run of four victories and a draw from seven games with the winner against AFC Wimbledon. He had hoped for a tie away to childhood favourites Manchester United. Facing their city rivals instead is quite the consolation, setting up a day to remember for loved ones.

McMillan has secured 40 tickets for friends and family to watch the biggest game of his life. He said: ‘My brother Fraser and I have been supporters of Man United since we were young. We went down to Champions League games at Old Trafford before I went full-time at football.

‘Fraser has been to a couple of derbies, including at the Etihad. We were hoping for United. Hopefully we can do one over on City instead.

‘It was a surreal feeling after the draw. My phone was constantly pinging with messages and you start getting excited. Then you think: This could be an absolute doing!

‘I don’t know if that’s a Scottish thing; you just think the worst, probably. Once you calm down, it’s one we’ve looked forward to. It’s not just me; it’s the family and friends who’ve supported you through your career. Half of them are on a minibus leaving Bathgate at 8am, so will have a few drinks in them.

‘You’ll hear and see them on the TV! My mum and dad, family and wife’s family are coming down in cars. They’re staying over, having a meal, making a proper day of it.

‘Who knows? If we can manage a good result, it would be unbelievable.’

Exeter took Nottingham Forest, then third in the Premier League, to penalties before exiting at the fifth-round last season.

The defender has been an ever-present for Exeter this season, playing 29 times, and is a big fan of manager Caldwell’s methods

McMillan missed only one game of that 2024/25 campaign and continues to be an unsung hero of Caldwell’s camp. He thrives on the demands of a League One season and the manager who trusts him to play anywhere.

‘You hear boys who’ve played in England talking about how hectic it is,’ said McMillan. ‘You bat it off a bit and think: “Oh, I could do that”. But “relentless” really is the best word to describe the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule.

‘I feel being robust is one of my strengths. At Partick, I played every minute of every game in one season. I only missed one last year, through a suspension, and I’ve started every game this season.

‘I love it down here. Everything seems to revolve around being outdoors, which is great. I take my dog everywhere I can. Me and my wife are always looking for walks to do. We’re at the beach two or three times a week.

‘You don’t know how long you’re going to be down here, so make the most of it. I’m enjoying playing numerous positions. My whole game, my football intelligence has really improved.

‘Working with the manager previously is one of the reasons I moved. I feel I’ve grown a lot as a player and a human being.’