Brora Rangers striker Shane Sutherland determined to repay Cattachs’ faith after finding scoring touch on return from injury suffered two and-a-half years ago while playing for Inverness Caley Thistle
Shane Sutherland says he is hoping to repay Brora Rangers’ faith in him after returning from two and-a-half years out injured.
The 33-year-old attacker made his return to action against Wick Academy on September 18, having been injured playing for Inverness Caledonian Thistle against Arbroath in May 2022.
He would go on to score his first goal for the Cattachs that weekend against Deveronvale, and backed it up with the winning goal against Cumnock Juniors in the Scottish Cup last weekend.
It was a moment that delighted Sutherland, and after the long and at times painful journey to return to get back playing football he is determined to produce more moments on the pitch to thank Brora for giving him an opportunity.
“(Scoring the winning goal) is a feeling I probably was thinking, a year, year and a half ago, will it happen again?” he told Brora Rangers’ media channel.
“I didn’t know where my career was going. It has been a lot of hard work and very difficult mentally, physically – everything.
“Basically, I did my ACL and had a couple of setbacks during recovery and rehab. I had to get another two operations on my knee and ended up having to do a lot of it myself because I got released from Caley Thistle at the time.
“It was hard, I have to admit that, physically and mentally. I got myself in a position that I needed to join a football to get myself over the last step.
“Thankfully, the board here took me on board, got me working with the physio and I’ve not looked back since. I’ve still got a lot of hard work, fitness work and strength work to get to where I want to be, but it is obviously a good start.
“To be honest, I was buzzing just to be back involved at a football club. It is a good changing room and I knew a few boys from previous spells, so it was an easy transition.
“I can’t thank the manager, the players, coaches, staff and board enough. Everyone’s put a bit of trust in me because at the time they gave me the contract I wasn’t able to play.
“They took that chance, not knowing for sure I could get back on the pitch. Hopefully in time, over the next three years, I’ll make up for that on the pitch.”
