The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Keatings motivated to help young guns take advantage of injuries
James Keatings is aiming to help Caley Thistle’s young players to grasp their first team opportunity.
Inverness manager John Robertson is light on numbers, and could be without up to seven first team players for today ’s Championship home match against Ayr United due to injury.
That has presented starting opportunities for teenagers Roddy MacGregor, Daniel Mac Kay and Cameron Harper in recent weeks.
Although only 28 himself, Keatings is among the senior campaigners at Caledonian Stadium and the former Hibernian, Hearts and Hamilton Accies attacker hopes to be a guiding influence for the youngsters making the step up.
Ke at ings said :“I was their age once, and I know how difficult it is taking the step from youth football into first team football.
“It’s a different tempo, and you’re playing against a lot more physical players that know the level.
“It’ s about helping them through it, and giving them the encouragement. These young boys have got talent, so it’ s just about giving them that wee bit of confidence and letting them flourish in the games.
“For any young boy, you are dreaming of being given that chance to get into the first team.
“It’ s disappointing we’ ve got so many out injured, but for them it’s their opportunity to go in and grab that shirt the best they can with no fear.
“Most importantly if they enjoy it they will play well. They have all got ability, they just need to believe in themselves.
“The older ones just need to give them that encouragement to go and flourish in the games.
“With the ability I see in training day-in, dayout from most of the young boys, they will put in good performances and get better with more games they play.”
Inverness face a striker shortage for today’ s game, with Miles Storey and Shane Sutherland both carrying hamstring injuries.
Although Nikolay Todorov has returned to light training following a bruised rib, while on-loan Rangers attacker Kai Kennedy is available, Keatings says he is prepared to contribute to the for ward line in any way possible.
“If the manager asks me to play anywhere I will play anywhere, and any player in the team would do the exact same.”
Keatingsh as relished the re turn to playing football following the corona virus shut down, despite the limitations placed on players at present.
“It made us realise how much football means to us, and what it does for our lives.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be back.”