Inverness Caledonian Thistle club legend given standing ovation in testimonial against Ross County at Caledonian Stadium
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0
Ross County 2
Scorer: Hale (11, 45)
AARON Doran admitted it was an emotional moment walking back out at the Caledonian Stadium for his testimonial match on Saturday.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County both showed their appreciation to the 34-year-old as his testimonial was played at the Caledonian Stadium.
Doran played 376 games and scored 53 goals for Inverness Caledonian Thistle during his time at the club between 2011 and 2024.
His time at Inverness Caledonian Thistle finished at the end of the 2023/24 campaign when he was one of a number of players who were released from their contracts as the club faced administration in October last year.
He was given a guard of honour as he walked on to the pitch along with his children, with Caley Thistle and Ross County players applauding him on to the field.
It was an occasion very few people thought would happen after he picked up a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for over a year.
Former teammate Shane Sutherland raised thousands of pounds to pay for an operation in an attempt to fix the problem for his friend.
He has managed to battle his way back to fitness and has featured in matches for his new club Strathspey Thistle who are preparing for the 2025/26 Highland League season.
Doran says it was an emotional moment walking on to the pitch where he spent 13 years of his career.
He said: “It got a bit emotional, especially with having the kids as well, bringing me up on the pitch. There was a few tears in me, I don't know if it was from the sweat or from the emotion, but yeah, it was a great day overall.
“It was brilliant because I didn't really know what to expect because I've been away from the club for over a year now.
“It felt a little bit different. I felt a little bit heavier than I used to feel. But I felt comfortable getting on the ball and it was an enjoyable game to play.
“Maybe you forget a little bit about that when you're away from the club and I haven't been back since.But to get that response from them was absolutely brilliant. I'm a fan for life now, just with them. After that, I couldn't have wished it to go any better than it did.
Speaking about his rehabilitation from injury, Doran said: “It's still the early days, getting back to fitness. I've only just came back and I've played a few games now and I've got a few minutes on the pitch. But I'm excited for the season ahead and I'm going to try and get as strong as I can and help with the game.
“I still think I have a few years left in me. But I'm proud of what I've done in my career and I'm proud to go out there today and get a testimonial off the club. I'm happy that everyone went to the game in support of me.”
Despite it being Doran’s day, it was Ross County who took victory and they took the lead after eight minutes through Ronan Hale.
The Northern Irish striker then fired a shot underneath new signing Ross Munro to give the Staggies the lead.
In a quiet first half, Inverness came close to equaliser three minutes before half time when David Wotherspoon pounced on a loose ball from Declan Gallagher. He fired a shot from the edge of the box which forced a fine save from Ross Laidlaw.
Ross County came close to doubling the lead just before half time when Ben Crompton’s cross into the box was found by Ross Docherty but nodded wide of the right post.
But the Staggies did double their lead on the stroke of half time when they won a free-kick at the edge of the box. Hale stepped up and fired into the top right corner to make it 2-0.
Inverness came close to pulling one back midway through the second half when Billy Mckay managed to charge into the box and fired a shot towards the top right corner which was diverted away by goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.
Then with 18 minutes to play, Doran was given another standing ovation as he came on a substitute as he replaced David Wotherspoon.
Ross County almost made it 3-0 before the end when Remi Savage lost control of the ball and it was pounced on by Eamonn Brophy. But substitute Logan Ross did well to block his shot away.
Inverness: Munro (Ross 78), Devine (Nixon 83), Allan (Thompson 78), Chalmers (Thompson 59), Trialist (Mckay 59), Macleod (Alonge 59), Strachan, Wotherspoon (Doran 72), Millen, Savage, Trialist (Longstaff 59).
Subs (Unused): Gardiner, Keogh.
County: Laidlaw (Foster 70), Crompton (Phillips 45) Wright, Randall (Williamson 79), Henderson (White 60), Cornelius (Mackay 79), Hale (O’Sullivan 70), Lyall (Lamont 79), Robesten (Smith 45), Docherty (Emslie 45), Gallagher (Brophy 70).
Subs (Unused): O’Sullivan.
Referee: Stuart Randell
