Fraserburgh manager Mark Cowie and Buckie Thistle boss Graeme Stewart have both dismissed speculation linking them with the vacant Peterhead job.
The League One side are looking for a new manager following Jim McInally’s resignation earlier this week.
Having enjoyed success at Breedon Highland League level with the Broch and Jags respectively, Cowie and Stewart have both been mentioned in connection with the Blue Toon post.
Cowie, whose side take on Aberdeen University at Bellslea in the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield, tonight said: “I’m the manager of Fraserburgh and if that was to change the world will know.
“I’ve loved my time at Fraserburgh and I love what we’re doing.
“I’m the Fraserburgh manager and unless I’m told by the chairman and the board that is changing then I’ll continue to do the best I can for Fraserburgh.”
Buckie meet Deveronvale at Princess Royal Park in the Shield this evening.
Stewart said: “I’m not interested in speculation, I love my job at Buckie.
“I’m very happy at Buckie and I’ll continue to work hard to win games and win trophies for Buckie, that’s my full focus.”
Take two as Banffers and Jags meet again
Tonight’s game is the second time in four days Buckie have tackled local rivals Deveronvale.
The Jags ran out 3-1 winners on Saturday in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup.
Stewart added: “I had no issue with the work-rate and attitude on Saturday, I thought we were excellent in those departments.
“We were just looking for a little bit more quality and we need to concentrate a little bit better.
“I’m expecting us to play well, we know it will be difficult and Deveronvale will work hard, but we’re looking to get through.”
However, Vale winger Horace Ormsby believes the Banffers can secure a different outcome in this clash and progress to the Aberdeenshire Shield semi-final.
He said: “Buckie are a very good team and we saw that on Saturday.
“But the result on Saturday is definitely motivation for us, we’re hoping to turn the tide and get something from this game.
“I think we’ve earned the respect of Buckie because despite where we are in the league table they’ve seen we work very hard and we’re not pushovers.
“If we could get through that would be a good result for us and that’s what we’re looking for.”
Broch looking to pass test against students
Meanwhile, Fraserburgh boss Cowie is looking for a response from his players against Aberdeen University.
The Broch lost at home to Inverurie Locos in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup at the weekend and prior to that drew with Forres Mechanics in the Highland League.
Cowie said: “We need to tidy up a few things, this game gives us the opportunity to put the last two results behind us and kick on again.
“We’ll try to freshen things up a wee bit and see what we’ve got, hopefully, we’ll get ourselves into another semi-final.
“I’m expecting a hungry and determined Fraserburgh side looking to put things right because that’s the squad we’ve got.
“We like midweek games at Bellslea and we need to give something back to the fans because the last two performances haven’t been quite good enough.”
Aberdeen University boss John Dutton said: “We’re up against very strong opposition and we need to respect that, we want to enjoy the occasion but in order to do that we need to go and compete.
“Our aim is to demonstrate our qualities and hopefully make an imprint on the game.
“Fraserburgh as a football club is very well-regarded and rightly so. For our boys to test their ability against a good team and in front of a decent crowd as well it’s a good opportunity for them to have a positive experience.”
- The draw for the Aberdeenshire Shield semi-final will take place at Princess Royal Park tonight, while the other quarter-final between Formartine United and Aberdeen has been pushed back to Tuesday December 6.
