Former Inverness Caley Thistle striker hailed after scoring hat-trick in North of Scotland Cup final
SHANE Sutherland scoring a hat-trick in the North of Scotland Cup final was written in the stars, according to Brora Rangers manager Steven Mackay.
The former Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker, who only recently returned to action after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury over two years ago, starred for Brora in their 6-1 victory over Clachnacuddin in the final at Station Park last weekend.
Sutherland (34) signed for Brora Rangers in the summer after being released by Inverness Caledonian Thistle in June 2023.
He feared his career might be over after suffering the injury against Arbroath in the 2021-22 play-off semi final.
However, after signing for the Cattachs during the Summer, he marked his return to action by scoring the winner in the 2-1 victory over Cumnock Juniors in the Scottish Cup first round last month.
Mackay said he always felt Sutherland was capable of being a match winner against Clachnacuddin last week and was thrilled with his performance.
He said: “It was like it was written in the stars for him.
“I just had a feeling that Shane was going to do something special. He deserves it and it is nice in football that when people have huge setbacks like he did, and the way he came through it, and kick it off with a cup final hat-trick.
“And to have his son there to watch him too, I was delighted for him.”
Speaking about the 6-1 cup final win, Mackay said it was a phenomenal result against a team who were in good form like Clachnacuddin. But he said he always felt that it was scoreline that they were capable of achieving.
“Clach had been on a decent run for sure in the league and were in sixth place. But we always felt if we performed the way that we can then we could give them a lot of problems.
“That is the way that it transpired. We felt that there was a few areas that we could exploit and we turned up on the day. We outworked them and nullified them in that aspect of the game. We shined through and it was one of those days where we breathtaking going forward.”
The most pleasing aspect for Mackay was despite being 3-0 up at half time, Brora didn’t let up in front of goal as they scored three more. He said the management team are trying to build a ruthless mentality into the squad.
“We have tried to instill that into the boys since we have come in as I don’t like it when the boys let up.
“We always felt the game was out of Clach’s grasp, but I felt it was important we solidified that at the start of the second half in the same way we started the first.
“We got three goals in the space of 15 minutes, it finished the game off and we could have added to it.
“But the boys were ruthless on the day and I want to see more of that when we are in that commanding position that we make sure we capitalise on it.”