Former Cove Rangers captain and manager Kevin Tindal was happy to help Buckie Thistle in their preparations ahead of the SPFL play-off against Lowland League champions East Kilbride.
With the help of a Lowland League manager, a long-term acquaintance of the former Peterhead central defender, Tindal prepared the scouting report on East Kilbride which Buckie manager Graeme Stewart used in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Victoria Park.
Tindal, 46, who captained Cove to back to-back Highland League championships in 2009 and 2010, also managed them when they won the title by defeating Formartine United on the final day of the 2012-13 season.
He said: “When I was involved at Cove our big ambition was to get into the Scottish League to test ourselves at a higher level.
“I am a great believer in that, and when Cove players such as midfielder Jamie Beagrie and goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie got the opportunity to step into League 2 with Peterhead and Montrose I totally encouraged them to give it a go.
“Buckie manager Graeme Stewart has ambitions to do something in the game, and why can’t he do it with the Jags and take them into the SPFL?
“I think it would be good for League 2 and hopefully a few more Highland League clubs in years to come show the same desire.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s second leg at K Park in East Kilbride, Tindal said: “It’s 2-2 and half-time in the tie. Buckie know they’re still in the game and they have absolutely nothing to lose.
“Graeme and the players will have learned a lot from Saturday’s first leg, I know the East Kilbride manager Martin Lauchlan has been talking in the papers about how Buckie were a bit physical and targeted his better players, but I also know Buckie have plenty of quality players of their own, so I don’t this tie is over yet, not by a long way.”
