Hearts icon John Robertson to auction rare jersey as legend makes brilliant move

Hearts legend John Robertson | SNS Group

Hearts hero John Robertson is auctiniong a rare Scotland shirt to help Inverness CT legend Aaron Doran’s injury recovery.

Doran had surgery cancelled by the Highland club, who were relegated from the Championship last season, following an ACL injury. He faced the prospect of paying for the treatment himself until £10k was raised via a crowd funding campaign set up by ex-teammate Shane Sutherland.

Now Hearts icon Robertson - who managed Doran at Inverness - has put up a rare Scotland shirt on auction via a Crowdfunder page called Aaron Doran Rehab Fund to help financially support Doran after surgery.

Robertson 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.”

More details on the page add: “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 is £10 and £20 secures three entries into the draw for fans and well-wishers. Entries can also be sent via email to [email protected].