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LISTEN – Brora Rangers manager says manner of defeat to Kelty Hearts in League Two semi final play-off was embarrassing


By Will Clark

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BRORA Rangers manager Steven Mackay says it was ‘embarrassing’ his team appeared to accept defeat in the League Two play-off semi final loss to Kelty Hearts.

Listen to the full interview below

The Highland League champions were blown away in the second half at New Central Park as Kelty Hearts cruised to a 4–1 victory, winning 6–1 on aggregate, to set up a League Two play-off final against Brechin City.

Brora Rangers manager Steven Mackay. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Brora Rangers manager Steven Mackay. Picture: Callum Mackay.

It was a bright start from Brora who deservedly took the lead through Greg Morrison midway through the first half to bring them back into the tie.

But Kelty levelled through a cheap equaliser two minutes later when Nathan Austin latched on to a long ball over the top of the defence and fired a low drive into the net.

Kelty dominated the second half when Austin scored twice in the space of four minutes around the hour mark before Dylan Easton also found the net in injury time.

Mackay says he was disappointed that his team appeared to give up the tie after the equaliser, saying it was not acceptable.

“If you are going to lose a football match you go down fighting,” he said.

“But we didn’t, we just downed tools and I said to the players it was embarrassing.

“It was an embarrassing second half performance and not acceptable."

Mackay says both games against Kelty Hearts, as well as their Scottish Cup third round exit to Stranraer, taught him Brora have a long way to go before they can consider themselves ready to become an SPFL team.

“We talk about the club going to play at a higher level, but with performances like that, we are nowhere near it.”

“I have learned a lot in a bad way, but it is a reality check for me, I have been talking about the squad how strong we are and how we can play at a higher level and how we are a Scottish league side.

“But on the last two performances, even the Stranraer game, I think we are personally well short.

“You have to take from these situations and learn from them and sometimes its setbacks that help you move forward.

“We will take time to reflect and look at the squad, we know the areas we have to strengthen in, but I didn’t realise how far off we were.

“Sometimes you can get freak results and don’t perform well.

“But we have had three games against Stranraer and two games against Kelty where we’ve not performed well or laid a glove on the opposition.”


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