Highland League top scorer Andrew MacRae sets target for number of goals he wants to score this season and fire Brora Rangers into Highland League title contention
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Brora Rangers striker Andrew MacRae is the top goalscorer in the Highland League after his hat-trick against Nairn County took him to 16 goals already this season.
The former Highland League player of the year was man of the match in the 4-0 win at Station Park, as he continued his fine form in front of goal to keep Brora in the chasing pack for the title.
The 24-year-old, who is now in his fourth season at Dudgeon Park since joining from Forres Mechanics in 2019, is only four goals off last season’s total of 20 in a blistering run of form.
MacRae says he would love to hit double his current total by the end of the campaign.
But in the meantime, he is only focussed on closing in on beating last season’s target of 20 goals, and hopes to add more against Forres Mechanics at Dudgeon Park on Saturday.
“I just take each game as it comes, I try to get five goals a month and set wee targets like that,” he said.
“I have managed that already, I wouldn’t mind hitting 30 goals as the best I have previously managed is 29, and that was the season that was cut short by Covid.
“I would take 30 goals, but obviously I want more.
“I wouldn’t mind hitting 20 goals in the next few weeks with a double this weekend and another double next weekend.
“I would go with 35 to 40 goals by the end of the season.
“But just now I am concentrating getting 20 goals first and then I will take things from there.”
Brora Rangers are in fourth place, six points behind leaders Brechin City, and have scored 40 goals in 11 matches.
Only Buckie Thistle have scored more goals this season with 41.
The Cattachs defence has also been strong, conceding only eight times. But defeats to Brechin City and Formartine United have been disappointing results.
However, MacRae is optimistic Brora can get themselves back among challenging for the top three in their quest to regain the Highland League title and a chance of promotion to League Two.
“It’s the usual four, Brechin, Buckie, Fraserburgh and ourselves who I think will be up there at the end,” he said.
“Fair play to Brechin City for starting so well, but in the next couple of weeks, Brechin, Buckie and Fraserburgh will be playing a few tough games, where we don’t play a team in the top four for a while.
“We need to get a good run up to the match against Banks O’Dee on December 10.
“But the four teams I have said will be fighting for the title.”
