York City striker Michael Rankine is happy to carry on as Richard Brodie’s “donkey” if it helps fire the club into the Football League.
Rankine is expected to line up alongside 37-goal leading marksman Brodie in Sunday’s Blue Square Premier play-off final against Oxford United at Wembley.
The former Scunthorpe forward, in contrast to Brodie, has only netted ten times this season, including twice from the penalty spot.
But Rankine created both goals for Brodie and Chris Carruthers in the two-legged semi-final win over Luton, and only Alex Lawless can claim more assists for the Minstermen this season.
The workmanlike, frontman clearly has other strengths to his game that complement Brodie and, on his function in the team, Rankine said: “You don’t get as much satisfaction from creating goals than you do scoring them but I still get a lot because it’s a team game and, if you get to the play-off final, it’s down to a collective effort.
“Brodes has obviously scored a lot of goals and I’m his donkey. You have to take on a role at a club and I understand I am not the best or as good a finisher as he is.
“He gets himself in some great positions and is a great talent. I’m just happy playing every week because it’s the first season I have done that.
“I’ve been pleased with my performances this season and believe I can kick on from them.”
The natural assumption might have been to think that Rankine would have preferred to face Rushden rather than victorious play-off semi-finalists Oxford under the famous arch.
Rankine spent an unproductive three seasons with the Diamonds before his arrival at Bootham Crescent last summer but is pleased not to be taking on his old club, reasoning: “I’m happy we didn’t get Rushden in the final because you can sometimes get caught up in trying to show people what they have lost.
“I just want to focus on getting York promotion and enjoying the celebrations afterwards.”
Rankine will be making his first trip to Wembley this weekend, having never visited either the old or new stadium.
He is one of only four players in City’s likely starting line up – the others are James Meredith, Luke Graham and Lawless – not to have played on the hallowed turf, but he doesn’t expect to be daunted by the prospect.
He said: “I’m obviously expecting great surroundings but I won’t be overawed. I’ve played at Stamford Bridge before and, once you are on the pitch, you tend to forget about what’s around you and concentrate on your job although I hope our fans are as loud as possible because that encourages us.”
Having successfully converted from 12 yards on two occasions this season, Rankine would also offer his services again with the possibility of a penalty shoot-out deciding the final outcome.
The 25-year-old forward added: “I’d definitely volunteer. Nobody ever means to miss but I will go there with as much confidence as I have had taking the last two penalties and would try and score.”
Rankine netted in the last meeting between the two clubs – October’s 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent – and he said: “It gives you a bit more belief having scored against them before, but every game is different.”
Listen to our podcast of Michael Rankine talking to York City reporter, Dave Flett.
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