Caley Thistle midfielder Roddy MacGregor feels adding goals to his game could hold the key to him nailing down a spot in John Robertson’s side.
MacGregor made the breakthrough into the Caley Jags side last season, making 20 appearances, but has still to get off the mark for his hometown club.
The 18-year-old netted twice in Inverness’s 7-3 victory over League Two side Elgin City at Borough Briggs on Saturday, with the Highlanders making the short trip to Nairn County in their next pre-season friendly tonight.
MacGregor hopes he can take his goalscoring exploits into competitive action, when Inverness begin their Betfred Cup group stage campaign away to Hearts next Tuesday.
MacGregor said: “It’s something I’ve got to add to my game, I need to look to get more goals and assists.
“I learned a lot last year. I started seven or eight games, and also came off the bench a few times.
“It’s always good to get a start and it was good to get 90 minutes against Elgin on Saturday.
“There are tonnes of options for the manager, so it’s hard for him – and we’ve still got a few boys to come back from Saturday. I’m just hoping to play as much as I can.”
Inverness were back in action for the first time since March when they faced Elgin on Saturday, with MacGregor pleased to put on such a compelling display on their return.
He added: “All the boys are just buzzing to be back playing. We have been back training a couple of weeks now, so we have all been looking forward to the first game. We will keep the games coming now, and it’s just brilliant to be back.
“Everyone was probably not at 100%, but it’s just a matter of getting the minutes in and trying to get sharp again. We were playing well when the league finished up.
“I thought the boys did pretty well considering it was our first game in about six or seven months.”
MacGregor is among several young prospects looking to contend for a first team place, with Daniel MacKay, Cameron Harper and Harry Nicolson also aiming to impress.
He added: “We have all come through together at our age group, last season about 10 of us signed. A few of them got released, but the ones that have stayed at the club just need to try and kick on.
“It’s good to play together, because we’ve got an understanding. We know each other’s game through playing together for so many years.”