Inverness Caledonian Thistle defender Robbie Deas is grateful to have head coach's faith
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Robbie Deas is pleased to have the confidence and backing of Caley Thistle head coach Billy Dodds.
The 22-year-old is one of just two players to have started every game for Inverness in the Championship this season, alongside veteran Kirk Broadfoot.
Deas is clearly one of Dodds’ most trusted players, mostly turning out at left- back but occasionally moving back into his favoured central role, and the defender is proud of his record so far in 2021/22.
“Before every game he tells me to believe and be confident,” Deas said.
“I feel like I’ve done well this season. I think I still could do a lot better, and I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’m just relishing playing up here, and playing for something.
“I’m just doing the best I can for the team.
“When I first signed here, in my head it was all about getting minutes and playing, so I’m feeling quite proud of myself.
“Last season I only missed one game in the league, and then this season I’m lucky enough to have started every single game in the league.
“I’m very self-critical, but I’m happy with how this season has gone.”
Minutes on the pitch has helped Deas’ development.
He has learned how to play in a new position, as well as making general improvements to his game.
Deas puts that down to the tutelage of the experienced players around him every day in training – both playing against them and taking advice from them.
The likes of Kirk Broadfoot and Danny Devine help him through matches where needed at the back, while at the other end of the pitch Billy Mckay and Shane Sutherland have been around the block enough to learn a few tricks to use against Deas in training.
“Personally I think I’ve learned a lot,” Deas said.
“I’m playing alongside players like Danny Devine, Kirk Broadfoot, Sean Welsh in front and Shane Sutherland, all these great players like Billy Mckay – so you learn each day.
“There are positional things, even the streetwise side of the game – the experienced players like Broaders and Danny are brilliant at talking to me – there are wee nudges you put on to the striker you’re picking up at set plays.
“They are things you don’t really think of and you might not see watching, but when you actually speak to them one to one, it’s mind-blowing how easy it is but how effective it is.
“Even marking Billy Mckay, Aaron Doran in training every day, they do all these things and then they brilliantly speak to you afterwards.
“I’m very thankful for that, because I’m the kind of person that will go and chap at the gaffer’s door to ask what I can do better, so I feel lucky to have players in the team who just do that anyway.”
