Highland League’s Fraserburgh could cause an upset when Rangers visit on Sunday according to club legend John Duthie, as he believes the side’s problematic ground will cause the visitors problems.
The Gers are set to travel to face their lower-ranked opposition in the Scottish Cup fourth round on Sunday, with the sides meeting at Bellslea Park.
Duthie believes playing at the ground could be the bizarre reason why an upset is on the cards, as playing at Bellslea Park provides a unique challenge for visiting teams.
“The weather here is different from anywhere else,there is a wee slope on the pitch and it’s not easy for any team to defend if we attack them,” shared Duthie, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“I’ve spoken to big Boomer the captain and I’ve told him to have a right go, we have nothing to lose.”
Rangers haven’t face an opponent from the Highland League since 2012, when they faced Forres Mechanics in the Scottish Cup.
The Gers secured victory in that game, but it was only due to a single goal; which would scored by Kal Naismith.
OPINION
There’s a positive vibe surrounding Rangers, due to their transfer activity, and it would be such a shame if it was to all go wrong on Sunday. The Gers should be confident going into a game like this, but they need to be aware of the unusual ground. It’s not often a team can blame a ground, as a reason why they lose, but given Duthie’s description of Bellslea Park, Rangers might be pointing a finger at it on Sunday. The Light Blues need to be aware of the conditions they face, and adapt quickly in the game, if they don’t want to be the victim of an upset. The Gers showed in 2012, that playing a team from the Highland League isn’t an easy task. Rangers under-performed on that day, and it nearly cost them.