Former Caley Thistle and Ross County defender Richard Hastings has been inducted into the Canadian Soccer Association’s hall of fame for his part in his country’s victorious Gold Cup campaign in 2000.
During the first of his two spells with Inverness, Hastings was part of a Canada side that won the tournament – for countries in North, South and Central America – with a 2-0 win over Colombia.
The left back also scored the golden goal to defeat Mexico 2-1 in the quarter-final – just a matter of days after he had played for Inverness, then a First Division side, in the famous 3-1 Scottish Cup win over Celtic.
The entire Canada squad that competed in the tournament has now been inducted into the country’s hall of fame, with 37-year-old Hastings delighted with the recognition.
The 59-times capped Hastings said: “It’s still the biggest football achievement Canada has had. It was just the way the tournament went, we didn’t really have any expectations. As the tournament went on we started believing in ourselves as we got results against bigger teams.
“Along the way I managed to score the golden goal to beat Mexico 2-1 in the quarter-final. It was a massive turning point. We beat Mexico and believed once we got past that, anything was possible.
“There were so many emotions. Being a golden goal, there were mixed feelings of elation and relief. Everything mixed into one. It was the highest point for me and the best experience of my career.
“I joke with mates about the month of February 2000 as, after we beat Celtic, I was straight on the plane to Los Angeles for the Gold Cup. The final was on February 27. I then flew straight back and played the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Aberdeen at Pittodrie a couple of days later. Although we lost 1-0 I got man of the match, so I was on a bit of a roll. It all happened for me in February and it was a great feeling.
“In terms of how things have happened over the last decade, it’s probably long overdue that the team has been recognised. It will take a lot to top that for Canada.”
Hastings still lives in Inverness and is back at the Caledonian Stadium to coach the club’s under-15s side. Having initially served the club as a player between 1994 and 2001, before returning for a five-year stint in 2004, Hastings is relishing the chance to play his part in helping the development of the next generation of youngsters. He hopes local talent currently involved in the Inverness first team, such as Ryan Christie, Nick Ross and Liam Polworth, can act as role models for those trying to make the grade.
Hastings added: “The way the team is going is superb. What manager John Hughes is doing is fantastic. It’s great to see someone persistent in his belief and persevering with his philosophy which is coming to fruition.
“The players feel like proper footballers and the supporters have got to be much more pleased with what they are getting to see.
“This is my second year coaching the under-15s. I got in touch with Charlie Christie about coming in to do some coaching and I was delighted. I was working towards my Uefa B-licence and elite youth licence through the club and it’s been great to get them on board.
“It’s what I’m passionate about as football has been my life. It’s great to help out the next generation. It’s a rewarding and fulfilling role and it’s also challenging.
“Having been there, young players really need to stick in and learn. It’s good we’ve got a few boys who they can look up to and see it is possible.
“I have to keep driving home how important it is to be disciplined and really have a burning desire. They have to constantly be keeping up standards and expecting to see an improvement over the months, and then into games.
“I’m not kicking a ball anymore, so this is really as close as I get to playing now. I am delighted with the opportunity Charlie has given me. I am really enjoying it.”