Goalkeeper Cammy Mackay is determined to help Brora Rangers become Breedon Highland League contenders – that is why he has switched from Caley Thistle.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper had made up his mind, even before the ICT saga over a potential training switch to Kelty Hearts, and with his contract running out, he needed to move on from the relegated Championship team.
Since becoming a senior player a decade ago, he has made 38 first-team appearances for Inverness.
Mackay – part of the Scottish Cup-winning squad in 2015 – is ready for competitive action in the Highland League.
Returning Brora boss Steven Mackay has won four league titles, five North of Scotland Cups and one Highland League Cup as player and manager.
Keeper Mackay saw at close hand what Mackay was like last term, when he guided Nairn County to a North of Scotland Cup win against ICT in the semi-finals with a penalty shoot-out triumph before they won the trophy in a thrilling final against Ross County.
Brora, under Ally MacDonald and Josh Meekings, won the GPH Builders’ Merchants Highland League Cup in March after beating Fraserburgh in a penalty shoot-out.
Now they are looking to become the best in the Highland League once again in the new campaign.
Keeper’s ready to fight for points
Mackay is relishing the chance to be part of a winning Cattachs side, but isn’t taking anything for granted in a division where you always need to dig deep for results.
He said: “I moved on from Caley Thistle as it’s the right time for me to be playing games.
“It’s nothing to do with the Kelty training arrangement, or anything – I just wanted to move on to a club where I can play and be successful.
“I liked the way the manager spoke and the plans he’s got for Brora and bringing the club back to a really competitive level.
“For a long time, Brora dominated the Highland League, and he was a big part of that.
“He wanted me to be at Brora and that was a good feeling. I’m really looking forward to the new season.
“There are some outstanding players in the Highland League, and I expect it to be a competitive league.
“No one has a right to go and win a game – you have to be up for it and ready to go every time.
“I think at times people have the wrong view of the Highland League – that it’s just a bit of craic for boys after work. But you look at Buckie Thistle and Brechin City, who are really pushing to get into League Two.
“That’s the main objective for anyone in the Highland League and hopefully under Steven and (assistant manager) David Hind, we can keep pushing at the very top of the table.”
Mackay can take over Malin mantle
Meanwhile, Brora manager Steven Mackay believes he has found the perfect replacement for Joe Malin between the posts.
Malin retired at the end of the season bringing down the curtain on 11 trophy-laden years with the Cattachs.
Boss Mackay: “Cammy brings Scottish League experience which is something we’ve been looking for.
“Brora had Joe Malin for 11 years and he did a brilliant job, but latterly he hasn’t played as much as he would have liked because of injury.
“Now Joe has stepped away and a huge priority for us has been to try to fill the void Joe has left.
“I think in Cammy we’ve found someone who can fill that position.
“It’s a move I think will suit both parties.
“Cammy will get the opportunity to come in and play every week, which I think is something he’s craved.
“We’ve pursued this really heavily to try to convince him Brora is the right move.
“I’m delighted we’ve managed to secure Cammy. I think it speaks volumes of the club and our ambitions to be able to secure someone of his stature.
“We’ve got other targets that we want to bring to the club and this first signing shows our ambition and what we want to do at the club.”
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