Long-time shot-stopper Dougie Rankin stepped into the firing line for this week’s Shinty Spotlight, which is the last in this year’s debut series.
The 50-year-old Inverness goalkeeper, who won his club’s senior player of the year prize this month, helped guide the city side into second spot behind Newtonmore in North Division One.
Rankin has also starred for Ballachulish, Skye and Ardnamurchan and is in his second spell with Inverness.
What is your earliest shinty memory?
I remember my mum going absolutely berserk when my dad volleyed a shinty ball through the window. He took it naturally with his left hand, like an automatic movement with his body to strike it. The ball moved so fast there was not even a crack – just a perfectly circled-hole in the glass. That was in our front garden in Ballachulish and I was maybe five or six.
Who was senior debut against and what was the result?
It was for Ballachulish against Livingston in Grangemouth beside the refinery. We lost 6-2. Ballachulish disbanded for five or six years then we came back and we had to start right at the bottom of the sport again, perhaps South Division Three or Four.
What is your best moment in shinty so far?
I’ve had so many great times in shinty, but I think I’m the only player to play for both the North and South senior selects.
In the 1990s, I was picked for the South when I played for Ballachulish and when I moved to Skye to live and play I was selected for the North senior area.
I had an international cap as well from 1993 when I was only 20, which was a great moment, but I was proud of being chosen for both area selects in the same decade.
And the worst?
I was playing for Skye against Kyles and I missed a Camanachd Cup semi-final penalty in the second half of extra-time, which was a big disappointment.
That was in 2000 and Kingussie, who went on to win the trophy by beating Kyles 3-1 in the final, were in their absolute pomp at the time.
Had we got through, we have always said Kingussie would have put 15 goals past us and it would have been the biggest embarrassment in shinty!
What a game that semi-final was in my home ground at Ballachulish. They pipped us at the post in an epic battle. There were around 500 people watching and you could have heard a pin drop as I put the ball on the spot. I was asked by the referee to move it and I didn’t like the way the ball was lying. Kenny MacDonald saved it and that was my worst moment.
What is the worst injury you have suffered?
I had my front teeth knocked out in a game at Inveraray in 2004. It was a strike which hit my mouth, so that was a bad one. I’ve had bridges, plates and implants.
ISC Senior Mens Player of the Year 2022 Dougie Rankin #winner pic.twitter.com/daFRymMfvD
— InvernessShintyClub (@InvernessShinty) November 12, 2022
Who is the joker in the team?
I’m actually going to nominate myself for this because the guys tell me I don’t shut up from the moment we get to pitch in the morning until after the game.
What is your favourite away ground?
It would have to be Lochcarron. Battery Park was always very sheltered with a really even surface, which was well maintained. It was huddled in the village, a bit like Ballachulish. It’s also a bigger park than you think it is. I’ve also never had a bad result there, ever.
Who is the rival player you would have loved in your team and why?
I played against (Kingussie’s) Ronald Ross in his heyday and he was like (All Blacks rugby star) Jonah Lomu. He is the greatest player of all time in my eyes.
I played against Davie Borthwick, Rory Fraser and Ronald Ross, but not as much as I did in the south against Gary MacPherson of Inveraray. I faced him 20-30 times, and I just had to be at the very peak of my game to get near him. His fitness levels and movement off the ball was unbelievable. It was 90 minutes of serious concentration, so I’d opt for Gary.
What is the favourite goal scored by you or a team-mate?
I’ve played in every position throughout my career and I scored for Ballachulish against Kyles in 2003. I hit an absolute screamer past Kenny MacDonald – it was a 50-yarder and boys still talk about that.
The way the ball landed, I flexed round and gave it everything. It went into the top corner from 50 yards. Kenny MacDonald was so good, he still got a connection, but it still went into the net.
Describe the sport in three words?
Fast, physical and dedication.
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