The success of last season’s Highland League champions Cove Rangers in this season’s League 2 is inspiring Brora Rangers winger Andrew Macrae to believe his club can achieve the same.
Macrae made the switch to Dudgeon Park from Forres Mechanics last month, and netted his first goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 win away to Clachnacuddin.
The former Caley Thistle player insists the Cattachs’ ambition to win the league and progress to the SPFL via the pyramid play-offs was the main factor behind his move – and with Cove occupying top spot after 11 games of their first campaign in League 2, he is all the more convinced Brora can follow suit.
Macrae said: “The long-term ambition, and the club’s ambition, is to go up to the league and do what Cove are doing. We want to play league football.
“With the lads we have got, why can’t we do what Cove have done? They have stepped up a league, and they will probably be in League 1 next season, with the way they are going.
“It shows it’s possible to do that.”
Brora host Buckie Thistle in a top-of-the-table encounter today, with both sides, along with Inverurie Locos, level on points.
Steven Mackay’s men top the table on goal difference and Macrae is intent on ensuring that remains the case today, adding: “This will probably be the most important game of the season so far. We are currently top of the league, and if we win we will stay top. If we stay top now, I can’t see us going down again.
“It’s going to be hard, but I think we have got the quality to get the win.”
Although Buckie manager Graeme Stewart considers Brora favourites for the title, he reckons the postponement of his side’s midweek trip to Rothes could work in the Jags’ favour.
Stewart said: “They are the favourites for the title, as they have the strongest team, but we’ve started the season well. If we play to the level we are capable of then we can get a result.
“I wasn’t too disappointed at Wednesday’s game being postponed, as we had a few worries in terms of team selection.
“Our goalkeeper, Daniel Bell, was called offshore while one centre half, Kieran Adams, was unavailable and another, Jack Murray, who is on loan from Ross County, chipped a bone in his ankle, which would have made him a doubt.
“No manager likes to see the games building up but maybe for us it wasn’t a bad thing not to play.
“We were able to train on Thursday and work on a few things in terms of our tactics and shape.”