Andrew Macrae hopes to use his loan spell at Forres Mechanics as a chance to impress Caley Thistle boss John Robertson.
The young striker is in his second stint at Mosset Park and with his contract up with the Scottish Championship side at the end of the season, he wants to make the most of his opportunity.
Macrae was one of the remaining under-20s players at Caley Jags, along with Daniel Hoban, Ryan McRitchie, Keir Smith, Alasdair Stark, Aidan Wilson, Stephen Foster and Liam Macdonald who were kept on after their Development League team was shelved. They have all been loaned out to Highland League sides this season.
Macrae, 19, said: “I’ve not heard anything from them but I expect to in the next few months or so. You’ve got to think positive. I would like an opportunity but so would every other under-20 player. I’ve got to take my chance here and if I’m scoring every week, hopefully the manager at Caley Thistle notices and I get a chance.
Macrae will hope to add to his tally when the Can-Cans host Deveronvale, who won 2-0 at Keith in the league on Wednesday night, in today’s Highland League Cup tie at Mosset Park. Vale’s only absentee is winger Graeme Watt, who is working.
Newly-appointed Turriff United manager Kris Hunter faces a baptism of fire when he takes his young side to Dudgeon Park to face Brora Rangers.
Hunter said: “Brora are out of the title race now, there’s only one team that can win the league, and that’s Cove Rangers, for everyone else now it’s all about trying to win the League Cup.
“Tomorrow’s game will give us a good indication of where we are. The boys did well at training on Wednesday, we have a lot of good talented youngsters but they need a pick-me-up as it’s been all doom and gloom at the club recently.”
Cove Rangers face a Rothes side which has scored 10 goals in the last two games, following up the 6-4 win at Lossiemouth last weekend with a 4-2 triumph at Nairn in midweek. Cove have doubts over full back Dean Lawrie, midfielder Ryan Strachan and Highland League top scorer Mitch Megginson, while the Speysiders are without striker James MacKay, who has work commitments, while full back Chris Brown is a doubt with an ankle knock.
Strathspey Thistle will have been boosted by that shock 2-1 midweek win at Buckie and Ally Munro’s men will feel they have a realistic chance of overcoming a Huntly side which was thrashed 7-1 at Christie Park on Wednesday, especially with home advantage. The Jags will be without the injured Dominick Edwards, Fellow midfielder Nicholas Mochan is suspended.
