Nick Ross was not as regular a feature of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle team as he would have liked last season but he has alighted on a sure way to catch the eye of manager Terry Butcher.
It came to him shortly after he rose from the bench last weekend, the midfielder collecting a pass before directing a shot into the net for his side's first goal against St Mirren.
The midfielder burst on to the scene in the Highlands as a spry 18-year-old but the following two years have seen him remain on the fringes of Butcher's plans. He is hoping to change that this term, starting at home to Kilmarnock today.
A goal against St Mirren may only have fostered a point in Paisley but he is hoping a prolific streak this season will bring the reward of a regular place in the Inverness midfield. "It took me a while in the last few seasons to get a goal but this time to get one on the opening day is a boost. But my aim is just to get in the team," said Ross.
"In my first year I got one goal, two goals last year so maybe I will go for four or five but we will see what happens. Like I said just getting into the team is the main thing and chipping in with goals is something I want to add."
Butcher has introduced several new faces into his squad and they started out with a good performance at St Mirren. Ross was pleased with the performance and is enjoying the new free-flowing football being introduced by Butcher. "I thought we played really well and passed it about a lot," he said.
"It was a really open game on Saturday and we are looking to pass the ball around more and work the angles and everything like that and it could be an exciting year for us."
Such principles will be lauded by Kenny Shiels, the Kilmarnock manager keen that his own side remain faithful to the style of football he introduced last season. But the Northern Irishman also appreciates the way Butcher uses his club's location in the country to animate his players.
The Inverness manager has stated in the past that he does not feel as though his side are "wanted" in the top flight due to the lengthy trips other clubs have to make to play them. Kilmarnock have one of the longest journeys but Shiels was pleasant enough ahead of their inaugural jaunt north.
"Inverness have great spirit and the players are committed to their manager," said Shiels, who is in talks to sign former Real Madrid youth player Borja Perez. "We know it is going to be a tough game and they have motivational tools, like saying 'the central belt doesn't like us and they don't want us to be in the league'.
"I agree with him. I am not being critical, I am saying that is great that he does that and so he should. He wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't. It is never an easy place to go, everybody keeps saying that. They get into you and make life difficult. They are good games against Inverness."
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