New Inverness Caledonian Thistle signing will fight for spot in team
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Tom Walsh is keen to get to work as quickly as possible to prove himself all over again at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The 24-year-old returned to the Highland capital earlier this week on a two-year deal, just a year after leaving the club to sign for Ayr United.
Walsh had impressed in his previous spell with Caley Thistle, but there have been some changes since he was last at Inverness.
Most notably, there is a new man in charge at the Caledonian Stadium, as Billy Dodds has taken over as head coach.
So Walsh knows that he will have to start at square one in his return to the Caley Jags.
“I’m delighted to be back, I’m absolutely buzzing to get going again,” said Walsh this week.
“I’m really thankful to the club. I’ve obviously been away for a year, but they’ve been great in welcoming me back, and they’re happy to have me back.
“I’m delighted to be back up here, and I can’t wait to get going again.
“The way the gaffer wants to play, I think it could really suit me.
“But it’s up to me to go and earn my place and fight to get back into the team and prove myself again up here.
“I need to get back to where I was before, when I was at my best up here, and go past that if I can.”
It was Walsh’s decision to leave last year.
Inverness had offered him a new contract, but he chose to explore other opportunities closer to home, with the impact of the first lockdown fresh in his mind.
However, when the opportunity came up to return north, Walsh jumped at the chance to come back.
“I was down the road and obviously everybody knows about the lockdown,” he said.
“At that time, on and off the park, I felt it was the right decision for me.
“I can’t thank the club enough, because they understood that.
“Football’s a funny game, and a year on I’m back, and absolutely delighted to be here. Once I knew there was an opportunity to come back, I didn’t really have anything else in mind.
“I had a great time here, which I’ve always said, it’s probably where I’ve played my best football.
“There’s a great feel to the place, so those were the main factors, and I can’t wait to get going again.”
Walsh was one of a handful of players to leave the club last summer, but there are still a few familiar faces from his first spell with ICT.
They helped seal the deal in Walsh’s mind, knowing what kind of atmosphere he would be coming into in the dressing room and having the confidence he could thrive in it.
“A few of the boys are still here,” Walsh said.
“I’ve spoken to them, so it will be good to see them again.
“That helps as well, it’s a good changing room up here.
“I know there are a few new faces, but I’m sure they will be the same, good guys.
“That was a factor in me coming back as well.”
