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Betfred Cup makes Brora Rangers hungry to win Highland League and promotion to League Two


By Will Clark

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BRORA Rangers manager Steven Mackay says playing in the League Cup is all the incentive they need to retain their Highland League crown and gain promotion to League Two.

Buckie Thistle's Jack Murray fires his downwards header into the back of the net to make it 2-1 to the Jags. ..Brora Rangers FC (2) vs Buckie Thistle FC (2) - Buckie win 4-3 on penalties - Highland League Cup Semi Final - Dudgeon Park, Brora 18/10/2020...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Buckie Thistle's Jack Murray fires his downwards header into the back of the net to make it 2-1 to the Jags. ..Brora Rangers FC (2) vs Buckie Thistle FC (2) - Buckie win 4-3 on penalties - Highland League Cup Semi Final - Dudgeon Park, Brora 18/10/2020...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

The Cattachs finished their League Cup group stage campaign with a penalty shootout defeat at League One Forfar Athletic.

The Highland League champions finished with two draws including another penalty shootout defeat at home to Cove Rangers and two losses to Premiership Hibernian and Championship Dundee.

Mackay says the players embraced the opportunity of playing opposition from a higher level.

Now they want to go on and win the Highland League and have the chance to win promotion in the play-offs.

“That is our aim this season. We have enjoyed competing against teams from the Scottish Leagues and that is what we want to do week in and week out,” Mackay said.

“We love being part of the Highland League and everything that it stands for.

“But we have got a lot of young players in our squad that are hungry to play at a higher level.

“We have got a management team that is hungry to compete a higher level.

“We want to take this squad into the Scottish League.

“We are set up and ready for Scottish League football.

“To win the Highland League will be a tough task first of all.

“But then we have to navigate through the play-offs.

“The Lowland League is very competitive especially with Kelty Hearts and East Kilbride as the main two teams.

“But there is also the likes of BSC Glasgow who are also strong. It won’t be an easy journey, but it is something that we want to embark on.”

Brora Rangers will start the Highland League campaign on Saturday, November 28.

Due to the impact of coronavirus, only 16 teams will compete this season after Forres Mechanics pulled out of the 2020/21 campaign.

With only 15 games to decide the championship, Mackay knows it will be a Highland League campaign where any title-chasing team can ill afford to slip up too often.

“We respect the health and safety protocols and there is no danger we are pulling out the league.

“Each club is entitled to make their own decision, but it is disappointing to see Forres pull out.

“We are now preparing to play in the Highland League, that is what our focus is firmly on.

“We need to get off to a real positive start because it is tough.

“There are only 15 games, we have a league title to defend and that is our main priority.

“It is important that we get off to a good start when the season begins on November 28.”


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