Up not down to me
James Keatings is convinced choosing to up sticks and pursue a career in the Highlands can be a passport to good health.
The striker has battled with depression for the past few years but sees light at the end of the tunnel after being handed the chance to kick-start his career in the Championship by Caley Thistle boss John Robertson.
Keatings, 27, has scored three goa l s in eight appearances, including a double in Friday’s 5- 0 home hammering of Morton.
And he said: “It’s about rediscovering the form I showed earlier in my career.
“The past two or three years my problems off the pitch are well documented and I also had to deal with injuries as well.
“That had dragged me down. With injuries, Friday nights were worst sitting in the house knowing I wouldn’t play the next day.
“There was no buzz and it reached the stage when I wouldn’t go to watch games.
“When you’re playing and being part of it you get a buzz and the hunger is there but I was in a very dark place. I still go to treatment because it’s not something that disappears overnight.
“It’s about knowing how to manage it when the bad days come along. I’ve missed the fire in my belly the last few years.”
Keatings knew Robbo from their time together at Hearts and added: “When he showed interest I knew he was a manager who believed in me.
“Coming up here was a chance for me. I’m away from home and my little girl is down the road but it was about enjoying footbal l again after a period of two years where I can’t recall a single game I enjoyed.
“This is a lovely place to live and the boys in the dressing-room, the manager and the backroom staff have been amazing.
“I’m fitter but I’m also much happier. The biggest thing was to enjoy my football again.
“You have to be happy in life in general and I am – it’s showing on the pitch.
“Football can definitely act as a pick-me-up.”