Caley Thistle midfielder Nick Ross hopes to cement a regular place in the team after being drafted in at the 11th hour ahead of his side’s 1-0 victory against St Mirren yesterday.
Ross has found opportunities hard to come by this season but was handed just his second start of the season against the Buddies by manager John Hughes after Marley Watkins failed a fitness test on a leg muscle injury.
The 23-year-old was glad to get his opportunity and hopes he has done enough to convince Hughes of a regular stay in the line-up after helping his side to a 1-0 victory that came courtesy of Billy Mckay’s sublime 77th-minute backheeled finish to sink the Buddies.
Ross said: “Marley had a fitness test in the morning, so I just came in about 1.30 and saw my strip was with the starting 11. It was a nice surprise.
“It’s good to be back playing. I know it’s going to be hard to stay in the team with Marley coming back.
“He’s been one of our best players this year, so it’ll be tough to keep him out.
“But as long as I’ve given the manager something to think about I’ll be happy.
“It’s good the team’s doing well. But you do feel a bit disappointed you’re not part of it and you’re not out there contributing as much as you can. It has been frustrating but that happens in football and once you get a chance you just have to take it.
“I’m enjoying every minute I get at the moment. I need to make the most of it and try to get a good run in the team which I’ve not had this year.
“I thought I did well and, hopefully, have given the manager something to think about.”
Ross didn’t feel it was the most glamorous of victories for his side but praised Caley Jags for grinding out the win against a Buddies side that fell joint-bottom of the league alongside Ross County following the result.
Ross added: “I thought St Mirren played well. They came here looking to stay tight and not let in any goals. I think they would have been happy with a draw in the end.
“I think our 4-0 win in the Scottish Cup last month was probably on their minds. We dominated that game from start to finish. They wouldn’t have wanted that to happen again and the way things are going they’re down at the bottom and need to pick up as many points as they can.
“It probably wasn’t good to watch but we’ll take the win.”