Forward James Keatings is confident Inverness boss John Robertson can revive his career after signing a pre-contract with the Highlanders.
Keatings yesterday agreed a two-year contract with Caley Thistle, quickly resolving his future after leaving Hamilton Accies last week.
The Glasgow-born striker has won promotion from the Championship on three separate occasions, with Hamilton, Hearts and Hibernian, and worked with Robertson when the Caley Jags boss held a commercial role at Tynecastle.
Keatings says Jambos all-time record goalscorer Robertson took strong interest in his progress and following an indifferent two years with Dundee United and Accies, Keatings feels his new manager can get the best out of him.
Keatings said: “Leaving Hamilton a couple of weeks ago was what I wanted to happen.
“I’d spoke to John Robertson and it had been going on for a wee while. I had other teams contacting me.
“But I felt this was the right place for me and he was the right person for me.
“I’ve known him for a good few years now and he was brilliant with me when I was at Hearts. He used to give me a lot of encouragement.
“Being a striker himself, he knew what I needed to bring to my game and he was always in my ear coming off games.
“We’ve always spoken and texted ever since after weekend performances and stuff like that.
“The last two years have obviously been stop-start in my career with niggles and I felt this was the right place to come to feel good around about John.
“The team plays the right kind of football and I could see myself playing a part here and kicking on.”
Caley Jags host Dundee United in the first leg of their Premiership play-off semi final tonight, with the return leg at Tannadice on Friday.
Although he will watch on from the sidelines, Keatings hopes his new team-mates can secure a him a quick return to the top-flight, adding: “The club has massive games coming up and hopefully they can get through them and get into the Premiership.
“It’s a great time for the club – there’s a buzz around it – and I’m looking forward to it.
“Hopefully I can bring plenty goals and assists, and experience, having been promoted with some of the top clubs I’ve played with.
“I know Caley Thistle are a good team and they play good football. They’ve had a great season.
“It is up to the lads playing to keep going and keep pushing. I’m sure they will fancy themselves as well.
“They’re strong enough to do the job.”
