Buckie Thistle defender Darryl McHardy scores another crucial Scottish Cup goal in victory at Sauchie Juniors while playing with torn rotator cuff and labral tear in his shoulder
Pulling off his shirt to celebrate a crucial Scottish Cup goal also revealed how Darryl McHardy is playing through the pain barrier for Buckie Thistle.
The former Elgin City defender was Jags’ cup hero for the second round running, scoring their crucial second goal in the 2-0 win at Sauchie Juniors.
He netted Buckie’s spectacular overhead kick winner in stoppage time against Carluke Rovers in the previous round, but saved up his best celebration for Saturday’s success in Sauchie.
Off came the shirt, revealing the strapping on his shoulder protecting an injury he sustained back in February, and still feels the effects of today.
“I’m playing with a torn rotator cuff and a labral tear as well,” he revealed. “It needs an operation which would basically be a full reconstruction of the shoulder, but it costs a fortune.
“It would be six months off work, six months rehab. Taking all of that time off, I just moved into a new house and I recently became a dad so I will just have to keep going in the meantime.
“I’m not 100 per cent and it never will be until you get surgery. It’s hard to get the strength up but I will get through it. I have played through a lot of things in my time so I’ll see how it is over another season, and just try to get through it.”
The 29-year-old admitted that he considered stopping playing but wants to keep going for as long as he can for one particular reason.
“I would love for my wee man to come and see his dad play football.”
Saturday’s victory earned Buckie a trip to Clydebank in round three, just one stage away from a potential shot at the Premiership big guns.
Of course, that will have Jags fans dreaming of a visit to Ibrox or a return trip to Celtic Park, where Buckie played in January in their plum draw against the champions.
McHardy couldn’t hide his delight at adding to Marcus Goodall’s first half opener, and revealed why he took off his jersey in the celebrations to earn the inevitable yellow card.
“That goal took a lot of pressure off of us. I’ve always wanted to pull the top off as well and I was close to doing it in the last round when I scored the overhead kick.
“I probably should have done it then. But I did it as a bit of banter this time.
“I’ve put a wee bit of weight on so I promised to the boys that I would get the wee belly out!”
Jags’ progress past two tricky ties has provided comfort from their poor league form, with the Victoria Park side already cut adrift from the leading pack in their title defence.
McHardy would dearly love for the club to book another huge cup clash and give something back to the supporters who have endured a disappointing campaign so far.
“The Celtic game was indescribable. That was the best feeling ever, that and winning the league. What a year it was.
“We need to get the fans back on our side and get another Scottish Cup run going. We haven’t been performing well enough and our league position isn’t great considering we are league champions.
“It’s hard to say but a Scottish Cup run may well be our goal now. We need to try and get to the fourth round again, get a big club and more money into the club to help us bring even bigger players next summer and kicking back on into a league challenge.
“We’ve not been playing as well as a team this year so it was very important for us to win this cup game.
“The cups will be important but we will try and win every single game we can and see where it takes us.”
