Inverness Caledonian Thistle full back sees his future in heart of defence
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Robbie Deas has been Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s first choice left back this season – but the man himself still feels as though he is playing out of position.
After spending most of last season in the middle of defence alongside Danny Devine, interim manager Neil McCann put him out wide, and Billy Dodds has continued to pick Deas there this season.
It has served him well in many ways. He has started all 31 of ICT’s matches in the Championship, barely missing a minute, and the 22-year-old feels that regular gametime has helped him develop his game.
That does not mean Deas sees his long term future as being at left back though.
He fully intends on returning to what he feels is his most natural position at some point, but in the meantime it is a show of faith from Dodds to trust him to deliver the goods in spite of it not being his best role.
“I’ve played out of position for most of the season, if not all the season apart from a handful of games, but I’m still learning every day,” Deas reasoned.
“I think I’ve come off in maybe two or three games where the gaffer has had to change it because I’ve been playing left back, but I’m naturally a centre half and I show that sometimes.
“You’ve got Cammy Harper who comes on and bombs forward, it’s a different part of his game.
“I’m absolutely delighted that the gaffer obviously believes in me.
“He trusts me to play out of position, and start every game so far in the league, but 100 per cent I see myself in the middle.
“I feel like I’m lucky enough not to be a one-trick pony that can only play in one position. I can play in a few, which is good for me and good for the team, and there are a lot of things to learn in these different positions.
“I’m still very young for a centre half, I’m only 22 years old. You obviously still learn the defensive side of the game at left back, it’s still very important, but I personally see myself still as a centre half playing out at left back.
“The gaffer knows that as well, but I take a lot of pride in the gaffer trusting me to play out there and do my job for the team.”
