Brora Rangers are aiming to win so they can play one more game, says striker Andrew Macrae
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ANDREW Macrae says Brora Rangers aren’t just playing for a place in the Highland League Cup final, they’re playing for the right to play another game.
The Cattachs face Buckie Thistle at Dudgeon Park on Sunday, with the winners facing either Formartine United or Rothes in the final next Saturday.
With the Highland League suspended until November 28, Macrae says as well as looking to win silverware, they are determined to have a match to look forward to next weekend.
“The boys are looking forward to it and it is a must-win as it means there is something to keep training for,” he said.
“If we lose, we have nothing to look forward to until we play Forfar Athletic in the League Cup next month.
“We want to win the cup of course, but it would keep the motivation up at training because if we don’t get to the final, we will find training pretty boring.
“If you are training and not playing games, things then become frustrating.”
Macrae is confident Brora Rangers are still on course for the treble having won the Highland League and North of Scotland Cup last season.
He thinks the fact they have played three matches in the League Cup will give them a overwhelming advantage against Buckie.
“Having played three competitive games does make us favourites going into the semi-final,” he said.
“To be honest, I think that it will be ours to lose.”
Brora Rangers played three games in the space of six days in the Betfred Cup where they put up decent performances in all matches against higher league opposition.
Dale Gillespie scored a wonder free kick in a 3-1 defeat against Hibernian at Easter Road.
Two goals in the first 24 minutes saw Dundee win 2-0 at Dudgeon Park. But Brora did win a point despite losing the penalty shootout to League One Cove Rangers in a 2-2 draw.
Martin Maclean and Bjorn Wagenaar pulled Brora back from 2-0 down to level the game at 90 minutes.
Macrae says Brora were proud of their exploits in the League Cup so far, but did have some regrets.
“I thought we did extremely well against Hibs and were unfortunate to lose 3-1 against Premiership opposition,” he said.
“We didn’t think they’d put out a team as strong as that and it was 2-1 from the 60th minute. Although they still had a lot of the ball, I thought we looked the better team in the second half.
“Against Dundee, I thought we could have played better and a lot of the boys were frustrated after the game.
“But I think we were harsh on ourselves having played Hibs three days previously which was our first competitive game in seven months.
“In the Cove game, we started off sloppy, but we grew into it as things went on and a draw was a fair result.
“Its been a tiring six days but we’re lucky we’re playing. I’m glad we’ve been able to play games and we’re in the Highland League Cup.”
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