Jim O'Brien nearly went to Milton Keynes Dons
Shrewsbury Town midfielder Jim O'Brien's career could easily have taken a very different path.
Six years ago, when the young winger finally travelled south of the border from Scotland to play in the English Football League, he had an offer from Milton Keynes Dons.
It was the summer when current Dons boss Karl Robinson took the helm in Buckinghamshire and O'Brien, at that time with Motherwell, was very much on his wish-list.
Ultimately, the Scot went on to select Barnsley as his desired destination.
Four years in Yorkshire were followed by two at Coventry City for the now-established League One player.
O'Brien has faced Dons on a number of occasion during his time in England and knows what to expect tomorrow from Robinson's outfit.
He said: "They're a good side, and have always had a good side.
"It's been tough when we've been there before; they play on a big pitch and they've always had good players – players that are good on the ball.
"They're a fit side too, always causing problems. I almost went there before I went to Barnsley.
"We never got too far down the line, it was a case of they were interested as were Barnsley, but they were in the Championship at the time so it was a no brainer."
On 35-year-old Robinson, who is now the third longest-serving boss in the Football League, behind Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Exeter City's Paul Tisdale.
O'Brien added: "Yes, of course (he creates an identity) and I think that's only healthy for a club, the stability, you don't want to be changing the manager every year or two.
"So he's embedded in the club and has his own philosophy about the way he wants to play, that can only be healthy."
O'Brien was pleasantly surprised by how well his body reacted in the days following his Hibernian runout last weekend, where he notched Town's only goal in a 4-1 defeat.
The wide man underwent an operation on his groin during a loan spell at Scunthorpe last season.
The 28-year-old said: "I was pretty surprised on Monday and Tuesday, because I felt really good in terms of recovery.
"Hopefully, it'll be the same now because the games are coming thick and fast, but yes I'm feeling good and have caught up a little bit.
"I just want to get back to enjoying my football and playing with a smile on my face.
"It's a good place to come and work here, so hard work and a smile and a bit of a laugh and a joke is always nice."
O'Brien sent out a word of warning to the rest of League One, as he fully expects the Stadium MK club to be involved in the chase for promotion this season.
He has taken the Salop captain's armband on a couple of occasions over the summer.
He said: "One of the favourites yes, in terms of what they achieved getting up in the first place.
"That was a difficult season and then obviously last year, I think if they'd have stayed up last season then they'd be OK this season, in terms of building on that.
"They'll be dangerous, they're good players and we know all about that. The lads behind the scenes have been doing a lot of work on them and we're expecting a tough game.
"But it'll be the first time I've seen it (the ground) packed out too.
"With the pre-season games, it's always a bit iffy, you don't know how many people are going to turn out or something like that. I'm really looking forward to it."
