Trafford doubts shattered as he sees Doran explode into life after recovery from injury

Charlie Trafford was beginning to suspect rumours of Aaron Doran’s brilliance were much exaggerated.

On arrival in Inverness, the Canadian midfielder heard plenty of tales of the former Blackburn Rovers winger’s talent, trickery and heroics in the Premiership and Scottish Cup.

But with the Irishman labouring in his long recovery from two traumatic knee injuries, Trafford secretly dismissed it all as hyperbole.

All scepticism has vanished lately, though, as Doran has hit explosive form. With six goals from the flanks in the last ten matches, the winger’s productivity and performances have been at the heart of Caley Thistle’s rejuvenation in the promotion race.

Trafford, himself hitting fine form in a side now flying with five wins from six, admits Scottish Cup winner and past Europa League peformer Doran’s renaissance has been brilliant to watch.

The 26-year-old from Calgary said: “The way Aaron is performing right now is huge for us.

“When I first arrived at the club, there was big talk about this guy Aaron Doran who came from the Premier League.

“I’ve been here a year and a half and I was starting to think everyone was lying to me and that Aaron wasn’t that good!

“But he’s been brilliant – and it is so good to see. He

has overcome a lot, some really bad injuries, and he is showing genuine class at the moment.

“Like the rest of us, I hope he can keep up the momentum.

“If he keeps flying, it gives us a lot of confidence. We know if we keep a clean sheet or keep it down to one goal, we’ll always have a chance with guys like him up front.

“Tom Walsh coming back into fitness and form gives us two wingers terrorising defenders and big Jordan White up front has been a handful lately too.

“A lot of things have been clicking into place at the right time. It is good to see all the boys flying like that and showing what we’re capable of.”