Former Caley Thistle boss John Robertson is auctioning a rare Scotland shirt to help ICT legend Aaron Doran recover from his knee operation.
The out-of-contract Inverness winger has just come through surgery – thanks largely to £10,000 raised by a crowd funding campaign launched by ex-team-mate Shane Sutherland.
Doran’s cause hit the headlines when he told the Press and Journal the club had twice cancelled his operation to repair a ruptured ACL (anterior crucial ligament) suffered in match against Raith Rovers in April. He faced the prospect of paying for the surgery himself until Sutherland stepped in.
The fans’ favourite – who is determined to make a full recovery – was bowled over by fellow pros and fans chipping in to help him.
Now his former manager Robertson – a legendary striker for Hearts and Scotland – has put a unique Scotland jersey up for auction on a Crowdfunder page entitled Aaron Doran Rehab Fund to help support the player financially post-operation.
Never-worn Scotland shirt is prize
In the video, Robertson, who led ICT into the top-flight 20 years ago, said: “We’re trying to raise as much funds as we can for Aaron Doran’s rehab.
“It’s (been) a tragic accident what happened to Aaron during a game and it’s fantastic that everyone has raised money for his operation.
“Now, we want to help just that little bit more for him and his family in terms of rehabilitation costs in general.
“The strip I have is from when Scotland qualified for the European Championships in Sweden in 1992.
“I was part of the squad that qualified, but unfortunately – similar to Lyndon Dykes (in the current Euros) – I got an injury in the very last training session and was therefore unable to go.
“They had already made up the squad strips with names and numbers. I had been issued with a number 14 strip with my name on it.
“I didn’t actually go (to the Euros), but it’s a tournament-issued strip, which has never been worn. It’s also the only official strip which has my name on the back of it.
“I am showing my age here because squad numbers and names didn’t come into the (Scottish) Premiership until 1998-1999 season. I left Hearts in 1998 to join Livingston, therefore there is no strip with my name officially on the back of it apart from this one.
“Thanks again everybody for helping out and I am sure you’ll all agree it’s a worthy cause.”
Robertson ‘keen’ to help Doran
Further details on the page added: “Whilst John was keen to keep this shirt as part of his collection, he’s even keener to help out his friend Aaron and so has kindly donated this to raise funds towards Aaron’s rehabilitation.
“Robbo and Aaron are good friends and John is really keen to help with his rehabilitation, hence donating this unique jersey as a prize.
“Another Crowdfunder has funded Aaron’s operation but his rehab will be long and, naturally, he can’t support himself and his family during this time, so this is where the proceeds of this prize draw will go.”
One ticket costs £10, while £20 will secure three entries into the draw. Entries can also be made via email to – aarondoranrehab@scottwilsoncommunications.co.uk
