Dowieaims forBraves challenge

Veteran defender Andy Dowie believes the Caledonian Braves can challenge at the top of the Lowland League after penning a deal with the club.

The 37-year-old has signed with Ricky Waddell’s side after coaching at the Edusport Academy previously.

The former Dunfermline, Queen of the South and Ross County centre-back is now targeting the upper ranks of the division.

“It’s a great training facility and I have a good relationship with Ricky and the owner Chris [Ewing],”he said.

“There are a few teams in this league who can attract players from League One with the finances, but speaking to Ricky he is delighted with the boys that he managed to keep from last season.

“He’s happy with the players he’s added and is looking for another one or two.”

“I hope I can help out the younger guys.

“The aim is to help keep more clean sheets than last season; that’s a defender’s job at the end of the day.

“Hopefully I can help with that aspect, and given I’ve played over 500 senior games hopefully I can bring a bit of experience along with that.

“We are setting our targets high; you don’t start a season and think that mid-table is going to be a good finish.

“We know there are strong sides in our league, but who is to say that on our day we can’t compete with them? We won’t know until we are out there.”