Forward signs new deal after regaining spark after Staggies release

Brora Rangers attacker Kyle MacLeod has credited the Cattachs with helping him fall back in love with football.

MacLeod this week signed a new two-year contract to remain at Dudgeon Park until 2019, having joined in January after his release by Ross County.

His departure came as a tough blow for the Fortrose-born attacker, who had been with the Staggies since the age of seven, but was unable to force his way into Jim McIntyre’s first team after an 18-month loan with Elgin City.

Having scored 15 goals since joining Brora in January, MacLeod feels his career is back on track and spell he had no second thoughts about committing his future to Brora.

MacLeod said: “It was nice to get it sorted before the summer so I know I’ve got something to come back to.

“I’m back enjoying football, the lads have been really good since I’ve been there and I’ve played my part.

“I’d been with Ross County for 14 years which was a long time, but I had fallen out of love with football a bit so it was nice to get back playing again.

“Getting games at Brora and scoring goals has been really good for me.

“I’d have to thank Ross Tokely for that.

“When I was speaking to him before I signed I wasn’t convinced, but I thought I’d give it a shot anyway and it’s worked out.”

Cattachs manager Tokely has not been coy in setting MacLeod’s target for next season, having challenged the 21-year-old to score more than 30 goals.

MacLeod is not fazed by the task, adding: “I had never scored a hat-trick in a competitive game before, but now I’ve scored three since joining Brora.

“The manager said I should be a 30-goal forward when I was signing my contract.

“I’ve got to be realistic with my targets, although I would set that as one for myself, as I always set my standards high.

“The main thing has just being able to play and get regular games.”

MacLeod is hoping to sign off for the summer by helping the Cattachs lift the Menzies Distribution North of Scotland Cup with a victory in today’s final against Fort William, and he hopes victory can set the Sutherland outfit up for a stronger push for the league title next season.

MacLeod added: “We know it’s not going to be an easy game, we can’t underestimate Fort William.

“It would be the first silverware of my career. I know it was quite disappointing when we lost out on the league by a point, but the best way to end the season would be by winning the cup.

“It would give us the momentum to go into the summer, strengthen and focus on winning the league next year.” Forward Scott Davidson hopes to sign off in style for Fort William by reaching the 30-goal mark in today’s Menzies Distribution North of Scotland Cup final against Brora Rangers at Mackessack Park, Rothes.

The 22-year-old has scored 29 goals for the Claggan Park side this season, but will be out of contract and has put off making a decision about his future.

Scoring so many times for the team that finished second bottom of the Highland League means Davidson is a man in demand, but his focus is on helping Fort defeat the Cattachs in today’s final.

The Lochaber club is making only its second North Cup final appearance and Davidson accepts Brora are strong favourites to win the trophy.

He said: “We have been underdogs throughout the season so that’s nothing new. We are going for the

“Back enjoying football, the lads have been really good since I’ve been there” “I had fallen out of love with football so it was nice to get playing again” “It would be great to score my 30th goal of season in final”

win of course and it would be great to score my 30th goal of the season in the final.

“Everyone has been saying that to me for the last fortnight since we beat Rothes 2-1 in the semi-final. At the start of the season my target was to score 20 goals so getting 29 is way beyond my expectations.

“If I was lucky enough to take my season’s tally to 30 by scoring in what will be my last game for Fort William would be truly amazing.”

Morale remains high despite the size of the challenge and Davidson added: “We know we will have a big travelling support coming from Fort William.

“We have nothing to lose. If we play to the best of our ability, and Brora have an off-day you just never know as over the last few weeks of the season we were in a bit of form. We now how difficult opponents Brora are. Nobody gives us a chance so we have nothing to lose.”