Defender Zak Delaney on track to be latest Irish success at Inverness Caley Thistle
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ZAK Delaney is convinced success in a demanding seven-day spell for Caley Thistle can resonate throughout the rest of the season.
The promising young Irish defender recognises the value of the four recent transformative victories over likely play-off contenders Raith, Dundee, Ayr and Partick in hauling Billy Dodds’ side out of a mini-slump and up to joint first place in the table.
But Delaney feels that building on that by taking maximum points from three games in a week would be a massive statement and step forward for Caley Jags at this stage in the campaign.
Caley Thistle travel to play Cove Rangers this weekend, before a Tuesday night home clash with Hamilton Accies. Raith follow on the Saturday.
“It is a really long season and it is so tight up at the top of the table,” the 20-year-old Dubliner said.
“We’ve had a difficult run away from home but beaten Raith, Dundee and Ayr, then Partick here at home.
“They were tough games. Now we have teams more in the bottom half of the table, but three games in a week is always going to be hard for everyone.
“This is a big week for us. If we come out the other side of it with full points, I think we’re in a really good place.”
Delaney is a left-sided defender, versatile in his ability to perform comfortably either at left-back or left centre-half, who ventured over the Irish Sea at just 16 to join West Brom’s youth academy.
Irishmen have always tended to feel at home at the Caledonian Stadium, from Adam Rooney, Richie Foran and Jonny Hayes to Aaron Doran and Danny Devine.
Delaney, having settled easily into life in Inverness with 10 starts and four sub appearances, is the latest.
“I settled in quite quickly with the lads. It’s such a good group,” he said
“Injuries meant I probably started games sooner than people expected and it helps you settle and feel a part of things.
“I was just 16 moving over to West Brom, completely different to doing it at 20. I’m quite mature for my age, having lived away from my ma’ and da’.
“The loan at Bath helped as well, swapping the academy for a men’s changing room. I got on really well there and enjoyed it.
“Up here, there’s one or two Irish boys in Danny and Aaron, but even the Scottish boys are so similar to what you have back home – the craic and stuff.
“There’s a few who make me laugh – Az is funny with some of the little things he says. I live with Wallace Duffy who is two or three years older, but just a really good craic about the house. It is a family atmosphere around the club. We stick together. It really helps me.”
