Former Brora Rangers boss and Highland League goals legend Steven Mackay is named as new Nairn County manager
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Steven Mackay has been confirmed as Nairn County’s new manager.
As we revealed exclusively this morning, the 41-year-old former Brora Rangers boss has agreed to take charge at Station Park through to summer 2025.
Veteran Mackay ended a short playing spell at Rothes to seal a return to frontline management, having stepped down at Brora in August last year.
RELATED STORY: Former Brora Rangers manager Steven Mackay set to be named new Nairn County boss
He will be assisted by David Hind, who captained Nairn during a three-year spell at Station Park up to 2012.
Mackay himself enjoyed a prolific goalscoring spell with the Wee County between 2009 and 2012, netting 84 goals in 116 appearances.
That tally included two goals in a 4-0 victory over Fraserburgh as Nairn lifted the 2011 Highland League Cup.
Mackay and Hind, who also worked together at Brora, will take their place in the technical area for tomorrow night’s home league match against Inverurie Locos.
Predecessor Ronnie Sharp stepped down from the role on September 21 after a winless start to the campaign.
The new manager said: “David and I are delighted to be returning to Station Park in a management capacity. We both spent three fantastic years at Nairn County as players and have always had a strong affiliation with the club.
“We are aware of how well the club is organised and the infrastructure that is in place, which will support our objective to become one of the top teams in the Highland League and challenge for silverware.
“We are extremely grateful and excited to be given the opportunity.
“The club has come through a difficult period in recent years and Ronnie Sharp deserves tremendous credit for the role that he played during that time and the squad that he has assembled.
“Our job is to make sure the squad delivers on the pitch and I cannot wait to get started.”
Mackay spent three years as manager of Brora Rangers from 2018, winning two Highland League championships, a North of Scotland Cup and the 2019/20 Highland League manager of the year prize.
Nairn County chairman Mark Kelman said: “I am delighted that Steven has agreed to accept our offer to become the next manager of Nairn County.
“Steven has a proven track record for success in the Highland League both as a player and as a manager and this aligned with our ambition for the club to challenge for silverware on a regular basis.
“With Steven relocating to the Highlands, we look forward to injecting a new lease of life into the club and building for the future.
“I am also delighted to be welcoming David Hind back to Nairn County as Steven’s assistant, adding another depth of experience to the management team.
“I would like to extend my thanks and that of everyone at the club to Conor Gethins, who stepped into the caretaker’s role at short notice and has done a tremendous amount of work his Ronnie Sharp’s departure.
“I would also like to put on record my thanks to everyone who applied or expressed an interest in the position.
“We now look forward to a long and prosperous working relationship with both men.”
Mackay started his playing career at Ross County where he made his debut in 1998 and won the Third Division championship.
He then moved to Forres Mechanics after 92 appearances and four goals in seven years with the Staggies during which time they also won promotion to the First Division.
After a year at Mosset Park, Mackay spent a season each at Elgin City and Peterhead before returning to Borough Briggs for another year in 2008.
Mackay’s eight season playing spell at Brora was phenomenally productive, winning back-to-back Highland League titles, a Highland League Cup and four North of Scotland Cups.
He hung up his boots in 2020 as Brora’s all-time leading goalscorer with 210 goals in 246 appearances.
His three-year spell as Brora manager also brought two Highland League titles during the pandemic disrupted seasons of 2019/20 and 2020/2, plus a famous March 2021 Scottish Cup win over Hearts.
He stood down at Dudgeon Park in August 2021 before spending last season as assistant manager at Elgin City.
There was also a playing comeback this season with Rothes prior to his appointment at Nairn.
