WATCH: Elgin City stalwart Brian Cameron speaks about his testimonial match against Rangers and his Borough Briggs career
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Elgin City manager Gavin Price paid tribute to long serving midfielder Brian Cameron on his testimonial night.
More than a thousand fans turned out at Borough Briggs to see a young Rangers XI win 4-0 against a City team containing several guest players from Cameron’s Black and Whites’ career.
Cameron (30) spoke after the game about his big night and his 18 years of service to his home town club, who he joined while still at primary school.
His manager Price was thrilled to see a big turnout for ‘Soapy’s occasion.
“I can safely say Brian has been one of the best players in part-time football in my time here,” Price said.
“He’s achieved the consistency and the number of games, the number of goals over that time tells you it’s been to Elgin City’s benefit.
“He’s a great boy to work with, he will not miss training and you see what he gives in games.
“I’m really pleased that Elgin came out in force for him tonight. It was a fantastic crowd, a great tribute and well deserved.”
Cameron walked out to a standing ovation, before a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Elgin City legend Billy Douglas and former Elgin and Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram, who both passed away recently.
City’s guest players included goalkeeping coach Stevie Dunn who kept Rangers at bay for the opening 17 minutes before being replaced by regular Tom McHale.
He survived a fine Josh McPake drive off the bar while McHale was beaten by Charlie Lindsay’s spectacular long range lob which clipped the bar.
But Elgin had chances and their all-time SPFL goal scorer Craig Gunn, who netted 138 goals in his Borough Briggs career, poked wide from close range and had an effort saved following a fine run on to a Cameron pass.
Two minutes after half time Rangers striker Tony Weston, who scored a barrowload for their B team in the Lowland League last season, was denied a penalty with the Gers instead given a free kick on the edge of the box.
McPake duly curled the ball in off the post to put the visitors ahead.
The youngsters’ class was beginning to tell on a mixed Elgin team and Ross McAusland strode through to clip a neat finish home from the left side of the box on 55 minutes.
Elgin’s substitutions included guest Lossiemouth trio Fraser Forbes, Ross Archibald and Liam Archibald, who all came through City’s youth ranks alongside Cameron before moving on to different clubs.
It was no surprise when the dangerous Weston fired home Rangers’ third from sub Arron Lyall’s pass on 71 minutes.
Sub James Graham weaved through to net a fourth for the Ibrox side with what proved to be the final kick of the night.
Elgin: Dunn (McHale 17), Cooper, Cairns, McHardy (L Archibald 66), Bronsky (Wood 88), MacEwan (R Archibald 66), Dingwall (Dodd 30), Cameron (Allen 79), Gunn (McLeish 51), Hester (Forbes 66), MacKenzie (Anderson 51).
Rangers: Budinauskas (Hogarth 46), Ritchie-Hosler (Strachan 62), Fraser, Allan (H Ewen 74), MacKinnon (K Ewen 74), McInally (Harkness 62), McAusland, Lindsay, Weston (Graham 74), McPake, Trialis (Lyall 57).
Ref: Gordon Seago
Att: 1012
