KEATINGS IS IN A GOOD PLACE NOW

JAMES KEATINGS will never subscribe to the late Bill Shankly’s view that football is more important than life or death.

But the game matters a great deal to him all the same after an ongoing battle with depression.

The Inverness Caley Thistle front man’s health issues have been well documented, but the 27-year-old is hoping he can soon put the past behind him after starting afresh in the Highlands.

Keatings knows there is a long road ahead before he breaks free from the shackles of depression and starts living life to the full again. But he’s made a positive start since signing a two-year deal at the Championship club in May.

His two goals against Morton in Friday night’s 5-0 home win took his tally to three in eight games, plus four assists.

But he said: ‘I’ve not set myself a goals target. My aim is to play as many games as I can, get fit and believe in myself again.

‘It’s about rediscovering the form I showed earlier in my career. Over the past couple of years I’ve had my problems off the pitch and I’ve had injuries too.’

John Robertson, the Inverness manager, first met Keatings when the pair were at Hearts and the forward jumped at the chance to work with his old gaffer again.

He revealed: ‘We stayed in contact and when he showed interest I knew he was a manager who believed in me.

‘I’m away from home with my little girl down the road, but it was about coming here, getting fit and enjoying football again after two years where I can’t recall a single game I enjoyed.

‘Life was tough but this is a lovely place to live and the boys in the dressing room, the manager and backroom staff have been great.

‘I’m happier. The biggest bit for me was to enjoy football again and that’s what I’m doing.

‘I was in a dark place and friends, family and my agent at the time got me the right help, so credit to them.

‘Once it’s there, depression sticks with you. It’s about knowing how to manage it when the bad days come along.’