Craig Brewster admits he is excited by the potential of Adam Rooney after capturing the young Irish striker on a permanent deal from Stoke City yesterday.

Craig Brewster admits he is excited by the potential of Adam Rooney after capturing the young Irish striker on a permanent deal from Stoke City yesterday.

The Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager had been pursuing the striker all summer, but always expected to land the 20-year-old on a year's loan. With Rooney's Stoke deal set to expire next summer, however, the Premier League newcomers changed tack and demanded a fee.

Following weeks of complex negotiation, the Republic of Ireland under-21 cap penned a three-year deal with Inverness yesterday.

The Highland club have paid £50,000, although Stoke secured a buy-back option on a player.

"We've finally got our man," Brewster said. "It took us some time but he's signed a three-year deal and I'm really excited to see how he does.

"We took Adam with us to Denmark in pre-season and he showed he has talent, strength and presence and can score goals."

Inverness entertain top-flight newcomers Hamilton today, with the Lanarkshire club's manager, Billy Reid, insisting he won't settle for draws on the road.

Reid's men recorded a convincing 3-1 win in their opening league match against Dundee United on Monday night. That result puts them top of the table going into the weekend, but the manager says he is not content to rest on his laurels and play for a point against Inverness.

"The boys are full of enthusiasm and have points to prove," he said. "One thing I can guarantee is that there will be no lack of trying on our part this season.

"And we are not going out to play for a point. We will try to win, as we will do in every game this season. It's always nice, whatever league you are in, to get off to a good start.

"You can work really hard in pre-season and come to your first game and it doesn't go right. Fortunately, we did the right things against United."