Roddy MacGregor targets more goals for Inverness Caley Thistle
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Roddy MacGregor is aiming to get in among the goals more often for Inverness Caledonian Thistle this season.
The 18-year-old has made 27 appearances for the club in all competitions over the last two years, but is yet to get off the mark for ICT.
However, he did find the back of the net twice in Caley Thistle’s first pre-season friendly against Elgin City – a 7–3 victory at Borough Briggs last Saturday – and after the departures of Jordan White and Tom Walsh this summer with only Shane Sutherland coming in to reinforce the attack, Inverness may be relying on MacGregor more.
In the past manager John Robertson has spoken about the teenager adding that final product to his game, so his targets are clear for the upcoming campaign.
“It’s something I’ve got to try and add to my game a bit more, getting goals and assists and being more a part of the game,” MacGregor admitted.
“The first goal, Shane did really well and probably should have scored himself and will be annoyed he never scored, but I was just lucky to tap it home.
“The second one I took it well, cutting inside, playing on the left so I was happy to get two.”
Another reason there may be more of a reliance on MacGregor from management is the cost-cutting measures that have been enforced by the pandemic.
At Elgin, four youth graduates were included in the starting line-up with six more coming off the bench.
Two years ago, a crop of 10 academy players were given professional deals, and the future seemed bright for the Caley Jags.
Some of those names have since been released, but there is still a strong, home-grown core for Robertson to call upon.
“We have all really come through together, our age group,” MacGregor said.
“A few got released, but we just need to kick on, the ones that have stayed at the club.
“It’s good to play together because we’ve got a kind of understanding because we’ve been playing together for so many years, so we kind of know each other’s games pretty well.
“I learned a lot last year coming off the bench, so it was good to get a full 90 minutes on Saturday.
“There’s tons of options for the gaffer, we’ve still got a few boys to come back too, but I’m hoping to do the best I can and get into the team or play as much as I can to help the team out.”
Above all else though, MacGregor could take joy from being back on the pitch again after seven months without football.
“All the boys are buzzing to be back playing and training as well. We’ve been back a couple of weeks now and looking forward to the first game, and keeping the games coming. It’s just brilliant to be back.”
