I wouldn’t rule out a move for him if he was available in January, says Brewster

Byrne is still on Caley Thistle manager’s signing radar

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Caley Thistle manager Craig Brewster is still interested in signing defender Richie Byrne despite the Irishman going on trial at English League 1 side Walsall.

The 27-year-old Dubliner cannot sign for another club until January after playing for Oldham briefly this term but Brewster is still keeping tabs on the player.

The former Aberdeen and Dunfermline defender has been dogged with hamstring problems throughout his career but the Inverness manager could add him to his squad when the transfer window opens again.

Brewster said: “I have said all along Richie would have to be 100% fit before I made a move for him.

“He is only looking after himself by going to Walsall as he can’t sign for anyone until January and he is seeing what options he has got.

“I wouldn’t rule out a move for him if he was available in January.”

Brewster was heartened by the Caley Jags reserves display in their 2-2 draw against their Rangers counterparts at Murray Park this week.

He singled out forward Rory McAllister and midfielder Zander Sutherland for their displays and hinted both may feature at some stage against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park tomorrow.

He added: “I was at Murray Park on Tuesday for our reserve game against a Rangers side which included six or seven first-team players and we were exceptional in the first half.

“Rory McAllister scored two goals and could have scored a third when he hit the post.

“It is the best I have seen from a young team which included Zander Sutherland, Iain Vigurs, Shane Sutherland and Rory McAllister.

“Zander and Rory know what they have to do to impress me, not just in games, but every day in training.

“I certainly noticed their performances on Tuesday and it is a tough decision whether I decide to play them at some point against Kilmarnock.

“We had three under-19 defenders in the team, while Rangers had Christian Dailly, Nacho Novo, DaMarcus Beasley, Charlie Adam, Chris Burke, Steven Smith and Neil Alexander.

“Michael Fraser played and looked confident which will do him good.

“He has taken a back seat but is working away to build up his confidence. Sometimes it is tough for goalkeepers when they lose their place in the team.”



 

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