Brora Rangers player-manager Steven Mackay is focused on the challenge of retaining the Highland League title following the collapse of league reconstruction talks.
The Highland League champions were denied the chance to go up through the pyramid play-off, which was cancelled when the SPFL season was ended early due to coronavirus.
Brora had hoped league reconstruction could open a pathway into the Scottish league for them along with Lowland League winners Kelty Hearts, however plans for a 14-10-10-10 setup failed to receive enough support from the 42 SPFL clubs.
Mackay is refusing to dwell on the verdict, and is already targeting back-to-back titles to give the Cattachs another tilt at promotion next term.
Mackay said: “I’m disappointed we didn’t get into the league, but we will go again this season whenever it starts and try to get up through the play-offs.
“It’s not the outcome we desired, but at least we’ve got closure now.
“It’s been such a rollercoaster for us and Kelty especially, as we’ve been hanging in the balance and waiting for a decision we couldn’t really influence.
“We don’t agree with it, but we accept it and now we focus on getting back into the Highland League. I’m missing football that much I’m just desperate to get back. Now it’s the Highland League, the challenge is to try and win it again.”
Mackay is braced for the new Highland League season starting no early than October, adding: “Whenever it starts again remains to be seen, we are not too sure if that will be any time soon.
“The Championship has been announced in starting in October, so I would imagine we would follow after that.
“We’re about to go into phase two of exiting lockdown. I would love to see it start before October, but I just can’t see it.”
Mackay is already making primitive plans to add to his squad for next season, adding: “Everyone is signed up. That was something we had been fairly organised with prior to Covid-19, we had got everyone tied up before anyone else came sniffing.
“We would like to supplement that with a couple of additional signings.
“We are speaking to some players, but the financial planning is really difficult. Every club will be the same, you’re just making it based on assumptions.
“It makes it difficult to speak to players about contracts when you don’t know what your budget is.
“We are having tentative conversations with some players. We have identified a list of a few players we would be keen on taking on board.
“They would supplement our squad in the areas we are trying to strengthen and create competition for places. Hopefully that will develop in the next few weeks.”