Caley Thistle manager John Robertson believes David Carson has already shown he can make a smooth transition into Scottish football.
Inverness announced the signing of the Morpeth Town central midfielder on a two-year deal in May but the 23-year-old featured as a trialist in Monday’s friendly against Hearts with the deal yet to be finalised.
Robertson was hugely encouraged by Carson’s controlled display against the Jambos with the Englishman impressing against top flight opposition in the Angus Beith benefit match, which finished 1-1.
Carson played in the eighth tier of English football last term, helping Morpeth Town gain promotion to the Northern Premier League, but Robertson is confident the midfielder can make his mark north of the border.
Robertson said: “We are waiting for the SPFL and the SFA to confirm the registration. It is because he has come from non-league football that it takes a bit longer. But it should all be in place for next week.
“He has looked good so far. You can see he likes to get forward but he also gets stuck in. David and Charlie Trafford really had to dig in against Hearts on Monday night.
“Players that can win the ball in the middle of the park is what we are looking for and then we want them to have the ability to pass it and be comfortable in possession.”
Robertson has also been pleased by the way his other summer signings have settled into life at Caledonian Stadium.
Three of his new players had a hand in Monday’s equaliser against the Jambos with a James Keatings corner turned goalwards by Nikolay Todorov for Mitch Curry to prod home from close range.
Robertson’s side take on St Johnstone on Friday night at Clachnacuddin’s Grant Street Park (7.30pm kick-off) in their final pre-season friendly before travelling to Peterhead for their opening Betfred Cup game on Tuesday.
Robertson added: “I think all of our signings have done well so far. Mitch Curry got another goal against Hearts and did well when he came on. I thought he looked very sharp.
“James Keatings is a quality player. We just need to get him more game time and match fit. Nikolay showed he can be a handful up front and we still have James Vincent to come back in.
“We had a lot of quality players not playing against Hearts, including Aaron Doran, but I thought Tom Walsh was excellent on the wing. We are happy with how things have gone so far.”