Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker says it was emotional winning Highland League with Brora Rangers as he scores four goals on final day to help them win Highland League
SHANE Sutherland says it means a lot to him to win the Highland League with Brora Rangers as they were crowned champions on Saturday.
The 34-year-old scored four times in the 7-2 demolition of Rothes at Dudgeon Park which sealed the club’s fifth Highland League title in their history.
He feared that he would never recover from his injury and would be forced to retire from football until he received a deal from Brora Rangers.
He said it was an emotional moment winning the Highland League and is grateful the club gave him the chance to play the sport he loves again.
He said: “It means a lot, the league is your bread and butter as it is a 34 game season, it is what you play for.
“My little one was here and he was crying and I asked him what was wrong? He said that he was just so happy and it got me emotional too.
“I didn’t know with my injury trouble if I would be able to kick a ball again. I just cherish every moment kicking a ball and I am really enjoying it with Brora.”
Over the course of the season, the lead at the top of the Highland League changed hands between Brora Rangers and Brechin City,
Brechin were in the driving seat when they defeated Brora Rangers 2-0 at Dudgeon Park last month and went three points clear with six matches remaining.
But Brora Rangers regained top spot four days later when they defeated Keith with Brechin City losing at Inverurie as the Cattachs went on to win the title.
Sutherland says they never gave up hope they could win the league even when they were playing catch-up and deserve to be champions.
He said: “Whoever finishes top of the league deserves it. Brechin have pushed us all the way and finished level on points and in the end it came down to goal difference.
“What can cause the biggest problem is giving up even when you are behind.
“There was a point Brechin were three points ahead with a game in hand.
“The games in hand are never easy, they always catch up on you, especially if they are played on a Wednesday and part time players have to work during the day.
“It is difficult, but if you give up hope then there is no point turning up.
“We never gave up hope, even when Brechin beat us up here.
“It was a sore blow, but after that match, we were determined to win our games and see where that took us. Inverurie did us a favour beating Brechin and we didn’t look back.
“We were always ahead on goal difference but we knew that we had to win every game. If we didn’t slip up then we knew that we would deserve to win it. “
“We put the foot down towards the end of the season where we played our best football.”
Last season, Brora Rangers finished in sixth place and 22 points behind champions Buckie Thistle.
This season, Brora Rangers are on for a treble after winning the North of Scotland Cup in October, the Highland League and play in the Highland League Cup final against Fraserburgh in Inverness next week.
Sutherland says huge credit has to go to manager Steven Mackay, his coaching team and the squad for the success they have achieved this season.
He said: “This has been my first year in the Highland League since I was 15.
“We have won the North of Scotland Cup and we are in the Highland League Cup final next week.
“It is something, considering where the club was last season, that we might not have expected to do.
“But as a group we said at the start of the season we wanted to win every game. You win every game, you win the league and we got over the line.”
After receiving their bronze level licence last month, Brora Rangers are eligible for the League Two play-offs and will face Lowland League champions East Kilbride later this month in the semi finals.
Sutherland is confident Brora Rangers are good enough to be in League Two next season, saying the whole point of winning leagues is to give yourself the chance of testing yourself at a higher level.
He said: “We still have loads to play for and we have our biggest game of the season coming up because we want to get promoted.
“If you want to win a league, you want to get promoted too.
“But first and foremost we have a cup final against a very good Fraserburgh team.
“They might have not had the season they were looking for. But any given day they can beat anyone. We are looking to win the treble but we will give Fraserburgh the respect they are due.
“I have always said Brora Rangers are capable of playing in League Two, but it won’t be easy as East Kilbride are a good team.
“They have lot of experience and good coaches, but we trust ourselves we can put anyone aside on any given day.”