Former Inverness Caley Thistle attacker Shane Sutherland savouring every goal after two-year injury lay-off as he helps Brora Rangers move one step closer to Highland League title
Shane Sutherland says he treasures every goal he scores – both because it helps Brora Rangers move closer to the Highland League title, and because there was a point he never knew if he would feel that high again.
The 34-year-old is no stranger to major injuries throughout his career, but the two-year lay-off after damaging his cruciate ligament while playing for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in May 2022 was next level.
He wondered if he would ever return to playing regularly, but committed to Brora Rangers this season to make an attempt at it.
Sutherland had to be patient as he built his minutes back up, but he has scored some valuable goals for the Cattachs.
Now, he is determined to do all he can to put more silverware in the cabinet at Dudgeon Park – and show, even to close family members, that he has still got it on the park.
“Having been out of football for such a long time before my return to September, I didn’t know if I would ever be involved again in games that mean something like this, going for a league title,” he said after scoring the decisive goal in Brora’s 2-1 win at Clach on Saturday.
“People will say it is at a lower level than what I’ve played at in my career, but it doesn’t matter. We want to win every single game. It is a league title at the end of the day and the chance to get promoted to League Two.
“You saw from the celebration it means a lot to me. It was such a vital goal, and a wee while back I wasn’t sure if I would have that feeling again.
“I’ll treasure every goal I get from now until the end of my career.
“My wee boy Lewis was here. He is my biggest critic, but he did say it was a good finish!
“It is little moments like that – he was only just four or five and not interested in football before the injury at Caley Thistle. Now he knows his dad doesn’t just talk about playing football, he plays football.”
Brora top the Highland League table on goal difference, ahead of Brechin City who matches the Cattachs’ result with both teams winning on Wednesday night.
With three games left, any slip-up from either side could hand the title to their rivals, but Sutherland says all Brora can do is focus on their own results since they have the slender advantage.
“We just have to assume Brechin will win all their games, which means we have to win all of ours,” he added.
“That’s been the sole focus all season. Every game we go into we want to win, no matter who it is against.
“From now until the end of the season it is all about looking after ourselves, preparing right, respecting the opponent and trusting the players we have in that changing room to get the victories we need.”