Caley Thistle winger Aaron Doran feels he is reaping the rewards of his patience after winning the Ladbrokes Championship player of the month award for March.
Irishman Doran yesterday scooped the prize in a double haul for Inverness, with John Robertson securing manager of the month following an undefeated five-game month.
Doran enjoyed an excellent run of form during that sequence, netting four goals during that sequence, and having battled back from two cruciate ligament operations in less than two years between 2015 and 2017, Doran feels Caley Jags supporters are finally seeing him back at his best.
Doran said: “It was always in my head, I knew it was going to take time to get back to the level I was at before after two serious knee injuries.
“From the start of the season I wasn’t as sharp, and I probably wasn’t as positive on the ball as I am now.
“After Christmas I have got a lot more consistent with my performances.
“I feel sharp now, I feel good. Last month I played a lot of games, I was playing Tuesday to Saturday.
“I need to keep going now. I am on 11 goals, and I made it my aim to score around 15, so I need another four in the next couple of weeks.
“I just want to keep that up now and get as many goals as I can. Hopefully it’s a good couple of weeks for the club.”
Doran hopes Caley Jags can return to winning ways at Ayr United tomorrow, having gone down 2-1 at home to Highland rivals Ross County on Tuesday, with Robertson’s men still firmly on course for a top-four finish.
He added: “March was a great month – we were unbeaten.
“It’s just disappointing to get beaten by Ross County on Tuesday night, but if we can play anything like we have in March, I’m sure April will be another good month for us.
“We know we can only probably finish third or fourth now, so we are in a good position.
“We are in fourth place at the moment and it’s in our hands.
“If we win our upcoming games I’m sure we can make it to the play-offs.”
After collecting his own award, Robertson feels Doran is a worthy recipient, adding: “Aaron was terrific for us last year and started this season well, but had a dip. He knows that himself.
“But he has become stronger and, now, he is really back to his best. He has been fantastic, not just this month, but since the turn of the year.
“A lot of the players have been terrific this month, but Aaron with his goals and the way he’s been playing, the spring is back in his step.
“The smile is back on his face. You know Aaron is in a good place when he is bouncing off Scott Kellacher and the banter and stick is flying back and forwards. It is nice to see.”
