Hibs v Brora Rangers: All you need to know about the opposition ahead of the Betfred Cup group match

Brora Rangers travel to the Capital on Wednesday night for a first competitive meeting between Hibs and the Highland League champions.
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The Cattachs have been in existence nearly as long as the Easter Road side, having been founded 141 years ago in 1879. Despite their lengthy existence, they only won their first Highland League title in 2014, following it up with wins in 2015 and again in 2020. They have enjoyed more success in the North of Scotland Cup, lifting the silverware on seven different occasions between 1980/81 and 2019/20.

Here's all you need to know about the Dudgeon Park outfit...

Recent games

Joe Malin (left) and long-serving midfielder Martin Maclean are expected to line up for Brora against HibsJoe Malin (left) and long-serving midfielder Martin Maclean are expected to line up for Brora against Hibs
Joe Malin (left) and long-serving midfielder Martin Maclean are expected to line up for Brora against Hibs
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Brora recorded a 3-2 win against Elgin City at Borough Briggs on September 20, thanks to goals from Greg Morrison, Martin Maclean, and Andy Macrae. Six days later they defeated an Orkney Select XI 3-0, with Tom Kelly, Bjorn Wagenaar, and Maclean again on the scoresheet.

What the manager has said

Steven Mackay has served Brora Rangers as a player and player-manager, and is now manager. The 39-year-old began his senior career with Ross County in 1998 and had spells with Elgin City, Forres Mechanics, Peterhead, and Nairn County before joining the Cattachs in 2012.

Speaking recently, he said: “We know the club has typically been a bit top-heavy with experienced players. The team has switched over the last couple of years, with Jordan (MacRae), Andy (Macrae) and now Tom (Kelly) coming in, where the majority of the team is now between 20 and 22.”

Transfers in and out

In:Tom Kelly, Miller Gamble, Jamie Stephen.

Out: Steven Martin, James Wallace (end of loan), Kyle MacLeod, Steven Mackay (retired from playing), Scott Davidson, Gavin Morrison.

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Brora have managed to hold onto the majority of their squad to the extent that nine of the 11 who started in the Scottish Cup third round replay against Morton last December could, and likely will, start against Hibs.

Steven Mackay moved quickly to bring in Jamie Stephen as back-up to Joe Malin following the departure of Steven Martin, while the versatile Tom Kelly can operate at right-back or right-midfield, and impressed on loan from Ross County last season.

Miller Gamble, a former Scotland youth internationalist, provides another option in central defence.

Team news

Steven Mackay is expected to have a full team to choose from with new signings Tom Kelly, Miller Gamble, and Jamie Stephen all likely to be included in his matchday squad.

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Likely team to face Hibs (4-4-2): Malin; Pickles, Williamson, Nicolson, A MacDonald; Kelly, Gillespie, Maclean, Brindle; J Macrae, A Macrae. Subs from: Stephen (GK), C Macrae, Gamble, N MacDonald, Docherty, Wagenaar, Morrison.

Mackay shook things up a bit against Elgin City but the chances are most of his starting XI for the match at Borough Briggs will play from the start against Hibs on Wednesday night. Summer signing Tom Kelly could line up at right midfield, while fellow new arrivals Miller Gamble and Jamie Stephen could be named among the substitutes.

The experienced Paul Brindle could be brought into the starting line-up in wide midfield while Bjorn Wagenaar could start in the number 10 role if Mackay opts for a more conservative 4-4-1-1 set-up. The versatile Martin Maclean can operate in left-midfield or in the middle – either way, there are options for the Sutherland side.

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