Reece McAlear reckons Saturday’s goal feast in Greenock was a fresh reminder to doubters that Caley Thistle mean business.
The on-loan Norwich City starlet, 19, scored his first senior goal in sensational style to make it 5-1 before sub Lewis Jamieson added a sixth as ICT blew Morton away to stay top of the Championship.
The midfielder looked a class act as he came in for the injured Roddy MacGregor to make his 19th appearance for the Highland side this season.
He was composed, cool under pressure and capped his display with a wonderful strike which gave goalkeeper Jack Hamilton no chance.
The stirring scoreline came just four days after Morton knocked Caley Thistle out of the Scottish Cup on penalties in their third-round replay, also at Cappielow.
1st senior goal and class team performance 🤪 pic.twitter.com/N7XrxsGKof
— Reece McAlear (@Mcalear42) December 11, 2021
We proved to be a scoring threat
McAlear was delighted to get on the scoresheet with a win which displayed what they are capable of as an attacking force.
He said: “A performance like that builds confidence in yourself and the team. As we were beaten by them on Tuesday, it was good to then beat them in the league.
“We were ruthless and I think we’ve missed that in previous games, but here we showed we can score goals.
“I think some people outside of football have underrated us, but we’ll just keep working away quietly and show on the pitch that we’re good enough.”
Superb strike was first senior goal
The long-range strike was all the more pleasing for the youngster as it was not only his first goal for ICT, but his first senior goal, having come through the ranks at Norwich.
McAlear was delighted to break his duck, especially with such a sweet shot.
He added: “That’s my first goal in senior football and it was good to get it as I’ve come close in the last few weeks.
Morning ICTFC Fans 🙌 pic.twitter.com/v2uDb37zD8
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) December 12, 2021
“I just saw the ball come to me and one of their players has come towards me, I’ve touched it to the side and then just shot and hoped for the best.
“Hitting it into the top corner is not a bad way to score my first goal, it’s alright isn’t it but I’m just happy to get the win.
“The goal will probably be on my YouTube clips and hopefully it will be the first of many.”
Target is to return ICT to top table
Although McAlear wants to return to English Premier League Norwich and fight for a place, right now his goal to is help the Highlanders return to the level he remembers seeing them play at.
He added: “I’m enjoying it at Inverness, I just want to keep learning and play as many games as I can.
“When the gaffer phoned me about coming on loan he spoke about how he wanted me to play and that suited me as well. So I just came up here and I’ll try to play as many games as I can.
“From when I was younger I remember Inverness being in the Scottish Premier League and that gave me a bit of motivation to come up. It’s also away from home, so no distractions.
“I’ll just try my best here and try to get Inverness back to the Premiership.”
