Brora Rangers’ on-loan goalkeeper Daniel Hoban hopes to make up for missing out on a North of Scotland Cup medal by winning the Highland League Cup.
Hoban was injured for Brora’s 2-0 win against Lossiemouth in November and his replacement – fellow Caley Thistle loanee Cammy Mackay – was between the sticks as the Cattachs retained the trophy.
The Sutherland men face Keith at Kynoch Park today in a Highland League Cup quarter-final, with the prize being a last-four home tie against Formartine on Tuesday.
A loan spell has been just what the 19-year-old Hoban needed and he hopes success for Brora helps with his Caley Jags future.
Hoban said: “I was unfortunate not to get a winner’s medal in the North of Scotland Cup but Cammy got one. I was happy for him but I’m hoping to get one myself and have something to show for the season. I was there supporting him and he’s not been showing it off to me yet.
“I’m enjoying it here. Having come back from injury it’s taken a while to get back into it and, with no Development League, I can’t play there. It’s taken a bit of time to get back in the swing of things and it’s game time for me. Hopefully, I can kick on make my mark with Caley Thistle.”
Brora and Keith met last weekend in a league fixture and Maroons boss Dean Donaldson feels his players must perform better after the 3-0 defeat at Dudgeon Park.
He said: “I don’t think we did ourselves justice. We only had two shots at goal.
“It’s a wee incentive for the boys to keep our season going because we’re sitting third-bottom of the league.”
Donaldson will be without injured goalkeeper Davie Dey, which likely means a start for teenager Regan Stuart.
James Brownie and Donnie Fraser should return to the squad.