UPON learning he was to be recalled to the Hull City defence for the visit of Liverpool and Luis Suarez at the weekend Alex Bruce had an unconventional response to his father's good news.
"I said 'Jesus Christ, Tottenham away and now Liverpool at home, what's the next one going to be?'"
Well, Arsenal actually. Tonight. In front of 60,000 at the Emirates Stadium.
Bruce Jnr is enduring a baptism of fire on his Premier League return with the Tigers but, importantly, is yet to be outfoxed by illustrious opponents.
Just as Tottenham had relied on a dubious penalty to find a way past Bruce and his defensive team-mates at the end of October, Liverpool's only riposte in a 3-1 defeat on Sunday was a precise free-kick from England captain Steven Gerrard. The in-form Suarez, who had scored nine goals in his previous seven league games, was shackled and silenced in a manner few thought possible.
Now comes Arsenal and another deep breath. Olivier Giroud, Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey will be next to test City, but Bruce will be able to draw upon his weekend's heroics when facing the Premier League's star-studded leaders tonight.
"I'd like to think I did okay against Tottenham and then again versus Liverpool so it's just a case of trying to keep that level going," said Bruce.
"I'd have liked to have played a little bit more, of course, but I've also got to be honest and admit we've got some good defenders here.
"You've got to bide your time and just be ready for your chance. Thankfully, I feel as though I took it and hopefully I can continue that."
A third Premier League start of the season is a given at the Emirates in a three-man defence, flanked by James Chester and Maynor Figueroa, as the quest turns from forcing a way in to keeping others out.
"When you're in the Premier League you've got to hold your hands up and accept it's a squad game," added Bruce.
"There's going to be times in the season when individuals aren't on form or are injured, so you're never going to get through a season with 11 players. If you think that, you're naive.
"I'd like to have played every week, who wouldn't? But with the games coming up thick and fast now, you've to be honest and understand that you're not going to play an unchanged side every week.
"You've got to train hard, make sure you're all right and if you're selected, make sure you perform."
Bruce has earned his place in City's plans without the need for family loyalties. Although eyebrows were raised when signed by his famous father as a free agent 18 months ago, 32 Championship appearances helped earn him a place back in the division he had not seen since his formative days with Birmingham in 2006.
It could have been very different for the 29-year-old, though. When initially training with the Tigers ahead of last season, plans were in place to join LA Galaxy in the MLS before circumstances saw a door at the KC Stadium left open.
A reunion with his father brought the inevitable charges of nepotism and shelved ideas of regular jaunts to California, but Bruce Snr is delighted to see his son standing on his own two feet in the Premier League.
"He's had to put up with that all his life. He's had to deal with it since he was 11," explained the City boss.
"People said he was only in the school team because of who his dad is.
"It's always a difficulty. He's had to fight with it for all his young career.
"Alex has handled the situation very well. He's 29 now. The big goal is to play in the Premier League.
"Of course it's difficult, but he understood that the team played particularly well at the start of the season and he had to wait for his chance.
"I have to reward him now, like I have to reward everyone else.
"I don't think I can be dropping many people after Sunday. I can look to maybe rotate in a couple of areas but, defensively, we played very well."
Both Bruces will hope City can ride the wave at Arsenal this evening and build on the optimism whipped up during 90 memorable minutes against Liverpool.
Sunday's televised victory was the first time the Tigers had managed to topple one of the top flight's leading lights, as City returned to the form that inspired a breathless start to the campaign.
Bruce Jnr feels the warmth of the weekend and said: "It's a massive confidence booster to beat a team like Liverpool when you look at the players they've got, some of the best in the world.
"You couldn't say it wasn't a fair result, either. We deserved the win. We had a little bit of luck but overall I felt we dominated. That's got to be a boost.
"If you'd have told us 12 months ago that we'd be going to the Emirates on a Wednesday night, that's what we were all working towards.
"It's an occasion the supporters can go and enjoy, and after the weekend we've got a nice little cushion. Whatever we get down there would be a nice little bonus."
A handsome seven-point gap has opened up between City and the bottom three as they head to Arsenal from the comfort of 10th. The deflation that followed back-to-back defeats against Southampton and Crystal Palace is quickly a thing of the past.
"You've got to try and keep a level head," added Bruce. "Don't get too low when you lose and don't get carried away when you win.
"It's five wins from 13 games for us now. That's a good record for a promoted side but it's not enough.
"The Liverpool game has gone now, you can't dwell on it, you've got to move on to the next one."
