Liam Boyce has already made an impact as a substitute for Ross County but now the Northern Irish forward has set his sights on a starting place at Victoria Park.
Boyce is yet to start for the Staggies but came off the bench to score the winner in Tuesday’s 2-1 League Cup victory over League 1 Stranraer to earn a third-round match at home to Championship side Hibernian.
The former Cliftonville and Werder Bremen forward insists the knee injury which caused him to miss part of County’s pre-season campaign is behind him and he is now ready to challenge fellow forward Jake Jervis for a starting position.
He said: “After I came to the club I got injured in pre-season, so it was a struggle from there catching up with the rest of the boys. I just had to make an impression when I got my chance and, thankfully, I’ve done it twice so I hope I can push on and get a start.
“I’ve had a couple of under-20 games and I feel sharp. In the first one I was a bit iffy but from then on I’ve just been going from strength to strength and scored two for the first team.
“Jake is quick and has quick feet on the ball, he can shoot from long distances and finish anything really, whereas I like to hold up the ball. Maybe we’ll work better together so he can feed off me but it’s up to the manager to decide.”
Next up for the Staggies is an away game against high-flying Premiership newcomers Hamilton Accies on Saturday, with Alex Neil’s side sitting in joint-second having already secured nine points.
County are yet to get off the mark in the league this season. However, Boyce believes the Staggies will take confidence from Tuesday’s League Cup second-round victory over the Blues.
The 23 year-old said: “Hamilton have won three of their four games. They’ve shocked everyone coming up and winning games. Hopefully, we can end that and win one in the league to get three points on board.
“It’s not easy winning. Some teams sit in and it’s hard to beat them. It’s just good to get a victory. If it had dragged on and we hadn’t won in five or six then it would have felt impossible to win a game. Just to win any sort of football match is good.”
Caley Thistle will travel to Falkirk in the third round of the League Cup if they manage to defeat Rangers in the second round at Ibrox on Tuesday, September 16.
Aberdeen will entertain Livingston after the draw was made at Pittodrie yesterday.