Brora Rangers manager Davie Kirkwood has urged his players to seize their opportunity to make history by winning promotion to the SPFL.
The Highland League champions travel to Meadowbank Stadium today to face Lowland League champions Edinburgh City in the first game of their two-leg play-off semi-final, with the winners going on to play Montrose for a place in League 2 next season.
Despite differing views within Brora on whether such a promotion would be a good move for the Sutherland club, Kirkwood insists his players are committed to going up.
He said: “This is the biggest opportunity in the club’s history. It’s the type of occasion which doesn’t come along too often in the life of a semi-professional footballer, so myself and the players are all looking forward to the game.
“I’ve told them if they can’t get excited about this game then they really shouldn’t be in football. It is the sort of thing that in future years the players can tell their grandchildren about, so it really is a historic occasion for everyone involved with Brora Rangers.”
Reflecting on Brora’s remarkable Highland League record over the last two seasons, Kirkwood added: “We have suffered only one defeat in 68 games over the last two seasons in the Highland League – a 1-0 loss at home to Fraserburgh just before Christmas back in 2013.
“That is an amazing statistic and tells a lot about the players we have at this club and that will never change.
“I’ve watched Edinburgh City. They are a big, physical side but they have changed their tactics a little bit since we beat them 3-2 at Meadowbank in the Scottish Cup five games into the season.
“We’re not going to change our tactics but it’s not about them, it is what we do on the day that matters most.
“Both games will be played on big pitches which will be in good condition. Looking at the forecast for Edinburgh, the predicted rain will add a bit more zip to the playing surface at Meadowbank Stadium.
“We have a fully fit squad, apart from defender Colin Williamson who is still recovering from his broken collarbone.”