We want to Bro for SPFL now

JORDAN MacRAE insists the days of Brora Rangers balking at the chance of SPFL football are long gone.

The Sutherland club surged eight points clear at the Highland League summit on Saturday after a 1-0 win away to challengers Rothes.

In 2013-14 and 2014-15 Brora fell in the play-offs after winning the league and had to rebuff accusations their heart wasn’t really in the SPFL promotion bid.

But under chairman William Powrie the club is united in chasing the dream.

MacRae, who hit the only goal after four minutes, said: “As a club and squad we’re all totally focused on winning the league. But the aim is obviously to get to the play-offs and get through them.

“We want to go up and try to emulate Cove Rangers. That’s what I want – and everyone at Brora wants to play at the highest level possible.

“The new pyramid system has given us a great opportunity to do that.

“It might have been different in the past with an older team who had been there and done it before but we’re all hungry for it.

“That was the message when I signed in the summer, that they wanted to win promotion. It’s what the chairman and board keep telling us they want.

“First and foremost we’ll look to take care of the league and we’ll see what happens after that.”

MacRae almost took more satisfaction from Saturday’s ground-out win at Mackessack Park than he had from recent five and six-goal triumphs.

He said: “It wasn’t the prettiest game we’ve been involved in. It was nice to get the early goal and I thought we’d have gone on from there and added to it.

“But I think my goal actually made them play a bit better. They came at us and gave us everything they had.

“Rothes are a very good side now so it’s a big result and personally I find a 1-0 or a 2-1 win is often more satisfying.

“You feel like you’ve really worked for it.”