Brora Rangers striker James Wallace signs a new contract with the Highland League club as he returns to fitness after two years struggling with injury

JAMES Wallace insists he’s put his injury nightmare behind him and wants to help slow down Brora Rangers so they can challenge for the Highland League title.

The 24-year-old from Culloden has committed his future to Cattachs after signing a new contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2026/27 season.

The striker has been a major contributor for Brora Rangers so far this season, finding the net 11 times in the club’s 28 games this campaign.

He is delighted to have found his form after a long-term injury that sidelined him for most of his first two seasons after joining from Championship club Greenock Morton in 2021.

Wallace tore his right ACL in the first game of the 2021-22 season, and the recurring problems saw him spend more than two years out of action.

He returned to action last season but has really found his form this campaign

Wallace, who works as a painter and decorator, says he’s over the injury that sidelined him for so long.

He wants to repay the faith that Brora Rangers have placed in him.

“I only started playing in October last season after being injured for the first two seasons,” he said.

“I am happy to return to regular matches.

“After tearing my right ACL, I needed two surgeries and was sidelined for about 26 months.

“The rehabilitation was long, I underwent surgery and had to work alone in the gym and under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

“It was a dark time, but luckily I’m on the other side now and I’m seeing the benefits.”

Wallace arrived from Greenock Morton in 2021 after previously spending time at Ross County. During his time at Morton he also spent time on loan at Dumbarton.

He said it was easy to agree a new contract with Brora Rangers because the club looked after him well when he had injury problems.

Now he wants to return the favor on the pitch.

He said: “I am very happy to sign a new contract and agreeing to this was an obvious step.

“They approached me and said they wanted to extend the contract. I have been there since 2021, and after four years I can already look forward to the next two.

“The team has a good mix of young people and many experienced professionals. It’s a good mix, everyone really gets along and it’s a positive place at the moment.

“Last year, when I came back into the game, it took me a while to get up to speed. Thanks to the full preparation period, I was able to prepare well for the beginning of the season.

I hope to keep it up for the rest of the season and two years after that.

The Cattachs will be hoping to play their first match of 2025 next weekend after the Highland League suffered a complete setback over the past fortnight due to weather conditions.

However, they will be without George Robesten and Andrew Macleod, who have returned to their parent club Ross County.

Brora Rangers travel to Inverurie Locos on Saturday in a bid to catch up with league leaders Brechin City, who are two points clear.

Brora Rangers had an impressive start which included: victory in the Northern Scottish Cup final in October.

Wallace says the team is confident they can finish the season as champions, but knows maintaining consistency and a strong winning streak will be key.

He said: “Everyone knows and believes in the quality we have.

– There were a few hiccups in the first half of the season, but overall it was a very good start.

“We are on par with Brechin. We are only two points away from them and if we do our job we could be on top in late April/early May.

“We will try to continue this form against the Locos, but it is always difficult there.”

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