Caley Thistle midfielder Riccardo Calder insists he is ready to do a job when called upon by manager John Robertson.
Calder has played in all three of Inverness’ North of Scotland cup ties this season but has found first team opportunities harder to come by so far this season, with his only start coming in the 2-1 IRN-BRU Cup defeat to Dunfermline last month.
With Caley Jags returning to action at home to Partick Thistle on Saturday following a two-week break, Englishman Calder is determined to make the most of any chance handed to him by Robertson.
Calder said: “If the manager is watching, any game is a good opportunity.
“We’ve got a good set of lads out there already, so we have got to just bide our time, wait our time and take it.
“I think the lads that have not been playing, when we have we have all taken our chances. It’s just whether he wants to choose us or pick us.
“It’s down to him but it’s down to ourselves as well.
“A lot of players can play in different positions, so it’s just about waiting your turn and being ready. I can fit into any position.
“I know I can play in this team. It’s just whether or not he wants to play me.”
Calder helped a young Caley Thistle side, managed by Barry Wilson and Ryan Esson, reach the final of the North of Scotland Cup thanks to a 4-0 victory over Forres Mechanics on Tuesday night.
Having started his career with hometown club Aston Villa, Birmingham-born Calder spent loan spells with Dundee, Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln City prior to joining Inverness last summer.
Although still just 22, Calder feels his experience can benefit some of the club’s younger players, adding: “It’s a good cup to be in for the youngsters, and for them to play at the stadium which a lot of them have not done before.
“It’s good for the older players to be leaders on the pitch as well, because growing up we were the youngsters. It’s a good test for everyone.
“Throughout most of my career as a young player, I have always been playing first team football at quite a high level.
“Playing with the youngsters, I feel like an older player even though I’m still young.
“When it’s just a first team game there are a lot of leaders on the pitch.”
