Brora Rangers manager Craig Campbell will try to add to options in goal to boost Highland League title prospects after Cattachs keeper Joe Malin suffered serious injury against Open Goal Broomhill in Scottish Cup
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Craig Campbell will look to add another goalkeeper to Brora Rangers’ title-chasing squad after a sickening injury blow for Joe Malin.
The experienced shot stopper ruptured his Achilles during Saturday’s 3–2 extra time Scottish Cup defeat away to Open Goal Broomhill.
As team captain and an inspirational character in the Cattachs’ dressing room, Malin’s absence will be sorely felt in coming weeks but manager Campbell has full faith in promising understudy Ruardhri Nicol.
With a need for back-up and competition, though, Campbell will look to add to his squad, possibly through a loan move in coming days.
Nicol, though, will take the gloves for this weekend’s crucial away test against defending champions Fraserburgh.
“Joe will be out for a lengthy spell,” Campbell said.
“He is our captain and has put in some unbelievable performances for the club over the years, but the opportunity beckons for Ruardhri Nicol who has put in some good performances already this season.
“He came in on loan last season from Inverness Caley Thistle and impressed enough that we took him in permanently. He’s a good lad, good attitude, and for a young keeper he has a good few games under his belt already.
“I’ve got every confidence in young Ruardhri but I’ll still look to get someone in to help him as well.”
It proved a bruising defeat for Brora in the national competition, with Malin one of four players coming off injured.
Fortunately, there was good news for the other three who could all possibly feature this weekend in a crucial fixture at Bellslea Park.
“Jordan MacRae and Josh Meekings are hopefully not too bad. Colin Williamson had to get an X-ray on his collar bone, but it has come back showing no break so that will heal quickly,” Campbell said.
lan Cook’s penalty in extra time eventually sent the Lowland League team through after Brora had twice fought back from behind through dramatic late goals from Tony Dingwall and Martin Maclean.
“Open Goal Broomhill, in fairness to them, played really well and had some very good players, although we did compete and showed good character to come back from behind twice.
“We just got edged out in extra time by a penalty kick, but I’m not too downbeat. There were lots of positives, albeit the result wasn’t what we wanted.
“As I said to the boys straight after the game, there’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves or for doom and gloom.
“There’s nothing we can change about the cup tie, but we have another big game approaching against Fraserburgh.
“They are the champions and we know what to expect down there. It will be a hard game.
“They are very direct and very physical. We will go and prepare ourselves as best we can for a tough game.”
