Peterhead forward Rory McAllister has joined Ally McCoist as one of just three players to score 250 goals in Scotland top four divisions – and received a message of congratulations from the former Rangers and Scotland striker.
McAllister hit the landmark goal tally when he found the net against Edinburgh City on August 31. He joins McCoist, who scored 282 league goals in his career, and former Dundee, Dundee United, Montros and Raith Rovers player Gordon Wallace in reaching the 250-goal mark.
The vast majority of McAllister’s goals have come for Peterhead, with the forward scoring 168 times across three spells at Balmoor, but he has also delivered goals at Montrose, Cove Rangers, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Brechin City, when the club competed in the then Scottish Football League (SFL).
Rory said: “I knew I was getting close, so it’s great to get there. My family will be really proud.
“As you get older it becomes more about the team than personal achievements, but it’s still really special to reach 250. I’d like to thank all my teammates over the years, who have played a huge part in me reaching this.
“I’ve always scored goals throughout my career, even in my youth days. I wasn’t as prolific when I played full-time, but the goals have flown since I started part-time with Brechin City back in the day.
“Hopefully I can now catch Ally McCoist. That would be unbelievable.”
And he joked: “I need about 15 league goals this year to give me a chance, then I’ll have to just keep going until I get it. I might have to come on in my zimmer frame just to take penalties.”
From one great goalscorer to another 🏴
— SPFL (@spfl) September 11, 2024
Ally McCoist 🤝 Rory McAllister
Welcome to the 250 Club pic.twitter.com/lzdvhPD3Sv
Ex-Rangers hero McCoist sent a touching video message to McAllister via the SPFL after reaching the achievement, joking that he hopes to hold onto his record a while longer.
McCoist said: “Rory, mate – what an achievement. Absolutely first class.
“250 league goals and an absolute legend of the SPFL. That I can say without fear of contradiction.
“The last decade or so you’ve been banging that ball in the back of the net. You’ve been an example to everyone.
“Best wishes – particularly from all those folk in Peterhead where you’re a legend.
“Keep it going, although I think you’ve got about 30 to go [to catch me] so don’t go crazy now.”
After hearing the video, Rory said: “That’s brilliant. My testimonial is next year, so I’m hoping I can get him to speak at that.”
Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, said: “Everyone at the SPFL would like to congratulate Rory McAllister on this incredible achievement.
“Rory has been prolific right throughout the 11 years of the SPFL, as well as previously in the SFL, and it’s a real tribute to his talent that he’s hit this significant landmark.
“Becoming just the third post war player to score 250 goals in our top four leagues is a really special moment and one Rory should rightly be proud of.”
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