Caley Thistle forward James Keatings sees no reason why he can’t clinch a fourth promotion from the Championship this season.
The 27-year-old has become something of a specialist in the subject having achieved the feat with Hamilton, Hearts and Hibernian.
Keatings moved to Inverness on a two-year deal in the summer and believes John Robertson’s squad are capable of making a return to the top tier.
He said: “We know the likes of Dundee and Dundee United are going to be strong this season. But we need to aim high and try to challenge at the top of the league.
“We have a good squad and a good manager. I think we are strong enough to mount a challenge.”
Keatings made only 18 appearances for Hamilton Accies last season but is hopeful of contributing more to the Caley Thistle cause this term.
The attacker looked lively in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Hearts in a tribute match for Angus Beith who was forced to retire from the game due to a hip injury at the age of 23.
Keatings added: “I had the exact same operation as Angus so I know what he went through. I am lucky I am still playing and I just need to get ready for the start of the season.
“It has been all go in the summer with moving house and moving up to Inverness. The first few weeks of pre-season have been tough but I have been enjoying it.
“Pre-season is meant to be hard and you get pushed to the limit. We are building up towards that first competitive game of the season against Peterhead next week.
“We are a week away and we still have a week of hard training to come. I’m hoping to stay injury-free and be ready for the first game. It is good to get the minutes and take another step forward.
“It has been two years since I have been able to get through a pre-season due to injuries. My training programme has been different from the rest of the boys as they have managing it. Hopefully I can get through the rest of it.”
