Injured footballer blasts Inverness Caledonian Thistle over way he left club claiming he was told by email rather than in person
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FORMER Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Shane Sutherland has blasted the club over his exit after claiming he was told he would not be offered a new contract by email rather than in person.
The 32-year-old criticised Caley Thistle on social media this morning over the way he was informed he would not be offered a new contract by the club.
Sutherland did not play at all last season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the 2021/22 play-off semi final second leg against Arbroath.
Sutherland, who is originally from Caithness, accepted why he was not offered a new contract, but says he is disappointed that he was not told in person and was informed by an email.
In a statement on his Twitter account, he wrote: "Nine years between two different spells at ICT has come to an end today.
"That’s football, I’ve not played in a year so in terms of the contract not being extended as they say that’s life.
"But to find out via an email after such a difficult year with the injury wasn’t a nice read.
"Especially when the injury is still ongoing and I had been waiting five weeks for a brace to try and help get to bottom of issue."
Sutherland also criticised the support he received from the club in his attempt to recover from his injury.
He wrote: "Suppose not hearing from the physio about it in three to four weeks and hearing it would be cheaper if I didn’t play again.
"And a zoom call with a guy who had never met me or seen a scan when telling me “I would need to think about retiring” that I was never ever going to get the support I needed to get back on the pitch. "
However, Sutherland said during his time out injured, he did receive constant support from his teammates.
He continued: "Luckily enough I’ve had support of team mates constantly throughout the season and can’t thank them enough and wish everyone of them all the best wherever they play next season and rest of their careers."
Sutherland says he hopes to recover from his injury and continue his football career elsewhere in the future.
"Finally I see light at end of the tunnel now with the support of my family helping me pay for what I need I’ve been able to reach out to a specialist who is confident he will have me back playing asap with the right rehab programme this time after minor surgery on Wednesday.
"The hard works starts again now to get back doing what I ain’t ready to give up cos it would be “cheaper.”
"I’ll make sure I have the right people I trust this time to get me back on pitch in best possible condition in the right way."
He added: "Rubbish way to end the last three years at ICT, was a no brainer to come back when had the opportunity, and to see my son run about with Sutherland 11 on back of his football shirt, to win players player of the year award and to make it over 150 appearances for the club all things.
"That I’m proud of and I’ll be able to look back after the disappointment of things settles and sit down and know I had given everything I could whilst I was on pitch and trying to get back on the pitch which I now know I will get back on the grass scoring a few more goals yet."
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have responded to the claim which can be viewed by clicking here.
