Fraserburgh’s Scott Barbour admits he thought he had scored what would have been an unforgettable goal against Rangers in the Scottish Cup.
The striker had the Broch’s best chance in Sunday’s 5-0 fourth round loss to the Gers at Ibrox.
With the score at 1-0 in the first half Barbour intercepted a pass from goalkeeper Mason Munn, but his effort from the left side of the penalty area brushed the custodian’s leg and flashed inches wide.
Had it gone in Barbour says it would have topped another memorable strike he netted last season against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield.
Fraserburgh’s record scorer said: “I didn’t expect the chance to come and my legs felt like they were gone.
“But when I hit the shot I thought it was in and I was actually away celebrating.
“It went through the keeper’s legs but brushed off his groin and went wide, it should have been a corner, but there’s no VAR for corners!
“You think you might only get one chance and you want to take it, unfortunately it didn’t go in.
“It would have topped the goal I scored at Pittodrie last season, Sunday being in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox would have been bigger.
“The amount of fans that were there for a Highland League club of our size to play in front of that crowd was surreal.
“The boys did the club, the town and the fans proud and we couldn’t have asked for any more.”
A really good experience
Barbour describes facing Rangers at Ibrox as a dream and was emotional at full-time as he handed his jersey over to son Rio who was among the 1800-strong travelling support.
He added: “It was like a dream, I’m not a Rangers fan, but it was still a dream.
“There are two Rangers fans in our squads in our squad and I can’t imagine what it must have been like for them.
“The amount of fans that travelled down was crazy and all the build-up was amazing and surreal really.
“I gave my shirt to my son (Rio) at the end, it was emotional seeing him there, it was good – there were a lot of drunk people as well!
“But it was great and a really good experience. I got James Tavernier’s top, a lot of the Rangers players gave us tops and they treated us with great respect during the whole day.”
Marley moves on
Meanwhile, the clash with Rangers was Marley Sweenie-Rowe’s last appearance as a Fraserburgh player.
The left-sided defender has returned to parent club Dundee following the conclusion of his loan and looks set to be sent out to a club in the SPFL.
Sweenie-Rowe, 19, joined the Broch in September and netted four goals.
Manager Mark Cowie said: “It was a pleasure having Marley spend a few months on loan with us and I feel he fitted in really well with the group.
“I hope he is leaving with some fond memories from his time with us including his first Scottish Cup goals and a day at Ibrox playing Rangers. We thank Dundee for trusting us with the loan of Marley and hope that we have given him the environment to now kick on in his career with them.”
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