Aaron Doran relieved to get chance to end Inverness Caley Thistle chapter on a positive note as testimonial match against Highland rivals Ross County approaches
Aaron Doran is looking forward to getting the opportunity to end his Inverness Caledonian Thistle story on a positive note with his testimonial this weekend.
It will be an occasion that many never thought would happen after the 34-year-old’s release last summer, shortly after picking up a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for over a year.
His last appearance at the Caledonian Stadium came on Friday, April 19 2024 when he was forced off against Raith Rovers.
He has barely been able to return to Caley Thistle since, even as a spectator, but this weekend he will do exactly that for his testimonial match against Ross County – also marking the first Highland derby in front of fans since 2019.
Doran paid tribute to Jim Falconer for pushing to make the match happen, while also thanking Charlie Christie, Alan Savage and Ross County for agreeing.
The 2015 Scottish Cup winner is looking forward to going out the right way, both on and off the pitch.
“I definitely didn’t think it was going to happen,” he explained.
“Obviously the way I left wasn’t great, so it will be good to go back and see the fans who were so good to me last summer.
“I almost spent half of my life with Inverness, so it will always be a big place for me, and it will be nice to go back and end things on a positive note.
“There was a bit of a bitter taste with the way things ended last summer, and I struggled to go back and watch games. This will be my first time back since the Hamilton play-off game actually, so I just want to make things better to end it.
“I’m sure the fans will want to see me one last time, because the way I left the pitch for the last time wasn’t great, going off injured. It will be great to go out in a better way.
“Inverness is a much more positive place now, so it’s good for me, and it’s good for them. I will get to walk out on to the pitch with my girls, and my family are coming over from Dublin, so it will be a good occasion for everyone.”
With the start of the competitive 2025/26 season only days away with the start of the League Cup group stage, both teams are set to put out strong sides, with Doran added to the Caley Jags squad.
On the pitch, he will not be getting thrown in completely at the deep end, having already taken part in pre-season with new club Strathspey Thistle where he also coaches alongside former Caley Thistle man Ryan Esson.
Off the pitch however, it will be a day of celebration and reflection for the man who played 376 games and scored 53 goals for Inverness.
“I arrived at Caley Thistle as a 19-year-old kid, and I left just about to turn 33 with a family up in the Highlands,” Doran added.
“I came on loan to start with, and I thought that would be it really – but I was still at the club 13 and-a-half years later.
“Travelling into the stadium every day for so long, it became like home. It’s obviously a beautiful area to live in, and when I came up I was playing every game, against the likes of Celtic and Rangers which were big occasions.
“To play in numerous cup finals, win some, and play in Europe, I never expected any of that and I don’t know if any of the fans would have expected to do what we did in those years either. The years we finished in the top six, played in cup finals and got into Europe, that was the best time of my career.
“For it to end so quickly last year was hard to take, but I’m happy that the club and the testimonial committee have sorted out the chance for me to go back and leave on a better note.
“I just hope that the fans come and enjoy the game, and I think they will. They will get to see a Highland derby for the first time in a few years, and hopefully it can be a good spectacle for everybody.”