Caley’s Keatings still adjusting to Highland life

JA M E S Keat i ngs i s ad apt i n g to life on and off the pitch in the Highlands but the forward is conv i nced he w i ll rek i nd le his enjoyment of football with Inverness Caley Thistle.

Keatings, who joined Caley from Hamilton Accies, still feels he is playing catch-up on his fitness after undergoing hip surgery during his time with Dundee United nearly two years ago.

The i njury problems have restricted Keatings to just 39 appearances in his last two seasons with United and Accies, and he has urged fans to show patience before they see the best of him.

Keatings said: “It has been two years since I did a pre-season. I had major surgery on my hip and I wasn’t going to play again but I managed to get myself on the pitch.

“I’m just looking forward to keeping myself out there, staying away from i njury and getting myself up to scratch.

“It’s a continuation of pre-season for me. It’s going to be another three or four weeks until I will feel up to scratch, then it’s about looking after myself.

“I came up here to enjoy my football again, and that’s exactly what I want to do. I want to stay fit and play as many games as I can.”

Glasgow-born Keatings says he is still taking time to settle after relocating but he is confident he made the right decision in joining Caley Jags on a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old added: “The first two months have been hard, moving up. My wee girl was up for two weeks and then went down the road, so that hit me a bit hard.

“It’s something I will need to get used to. I sat down before I made the move but it’s about adjusting.

“It’s a lovely place up here, it’s chilled.”

Dundee manager James McPake.