Manager Craig Campbell backs Brora Rangers forward Jordan MacRae to rekindle scoring flame
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Craig Campbell is confident the goals will flow for Jordan MacRae as Brora Rangers step up the chase on leaders Brechin City.
By his own high standards, striker MacRae has struggled for goalscoring consistency this season, netting eight in the league and six in cup competitions.
The often prolific frontman has been set in the shade a little by Andy Macrae, now on 20 for the season, but manager Campbell praised his overall contribution.
The front pair will be odds-on to add to their tallies tomorrow as an attack-minded Clach visit Dudgeon Park.
“I’m not sure what Andy and Jordan are on now for goals, but we’re always asking for more, that’s for sure,” Campbell said.
“I’ve been harping on at them to get more goals and Andy has certainly stepped it up. If he continues the way he is scoring at the moment he will give us his best return since he has been in the Highland League.
“Jordan has been a little bit unfortunate. His form did dip a little bit for a couple of games and I told him that, but his workrate hasn’t dipped.
“He just isn’t getting that little break in front of goal at the moment.
“In our last match against Huntly, he had a couple of good efforts and the keeper pulled off good saves.
“As long as he is still getting himself in the positions to score, it will come for him – and he has been contributing plenty in our build-up play.
“It isn’t all about scoring goals although I have told the strikers I want more goals from them.
“As long as the effort is there and the performances stand up to scrutiny at a level we’re looking for, we’ve got no problems with that.”
Campbell continued: “We’ve had a good, positive response since the Brechin defeat. Our league form has been good. We’ve been scoring goals and creating a lot of chances, so we’re pleased with that.
“It is just about continuing to rack up the three points and then we’ll see where we are come the turn of the year.
“We’ve worked with our attacking players in training just to try and get a little bit more creativity, because we do have a lot of creative, forward-thinking players.
“It has been pleasing, albeit to lose on penalties to Banks O’Dee in the cup was disappointing.
“There were a couple of factors contributing that day that were out of our hands. Even in defeat, I couldn’t fault the boys’ effort or fitness levels that day.”
Clach sit a lowly 15th in the table, with just four wins from 16 league games, but Campbell is an admirer of opposite number Jordan MacDonald’s work at Grant Street.
Clach also ran Brora close in the North Cup final where they were only edged out 2-1 in Inverness.
“I’ve said it before, Jordan and his coaching staff try to get their team to play football and I admire their approach to the game,” Campbell stressed.
“The cup final was a tight tie for us, although we’ve had a couple of comfortable league victories over them.
“We know, on their day, they can cause us problems and we know they will try to get the ball down and play.
“From our perspective, we need to produce a performance. If we match their workrate and desire, hopefully our quality will tell.”
Martin Maclean is back from suspension, but Mark Nicolson is banned and Max Ewan is carrying a knock.
