The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
The grass wasn’t greener... but life is good right now Caley Jag Keatings eyes scalp of old club Hibs
James Keatings may not have realised it at the time, but the Caley Thistle forward ranks his spell with tonight’s Scottish Cup quarter-finals opponents Hibernian among the best of his career.
Keatings spent two years at Easter Road after joining from Edinburgh rivals Hearts in 2015, during which he helped Hibs win the Scottish Cup and Championship title.
Although it was a successful and productive spell in which Keatings netted 20 goals in 71 appearances, the 28-year-old subsequently opened up on his battle with depression, which prompted him to move to Dundee United in 2017.
Keatings, pictured right, will return to Easter Road for Inverness’ last-eight tie against Jack Ross’ men tonight, with the former Celtic youth player insisting his move to the Highlands has helped him rediscover his hunger for the game.
Keatings said: “At the time I did leave Hibernian, I wasn’t in a good mental state. I was obviously suffering and just didn’t realise what I was actually going through at that time in my life.
“It was the early stages of what I went through but it obviously took a toll on the decisions I was making.
“I had the chance to sign a new two-year deal there, which was at a stage in my life famous result against Celtic, and John took it all the way.
“We’ve got a great cup tradition, and we’ve got to take that confidence to Easter Road.”
Inverness reached the last eight with an impressive 1-0 triumph at home to Livingston earlier this month, which followed a 3-2 triumph over Alloa Athletic in the previous round.
Robertson, who is without the cup-tied Lewis Toshney and injured Sean Welsh, insists his side will have to step up another level when they visit a Hibs side sitting sixth in the Premiership.
Robertson added: “We have got through the rounds with tough opposition put in front of us, and we’ve got an even tougher game now at Easter Road.
“Hibs are a good side, who play good football. They have got a threat, but we feel we’ve got a threat as well.
“We want to go down to Easter Road and give ourselves the best opportunity of going through.
“We’ve got to play with no fear, and play to our strengths.
“We are a good football team, we get the ball down and try to get at teams. We are going to have to attack very well, but we are also going to have to defend very well – as Hibs are a huge threat going forward.”