Roberts eyes longer stay with Caley Thistle
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THE incentive of earning a new contract will spur on Jordan Roberts in the last three games of the season.
As one of those out of contract at the end of the campaign, Roberts has been challenged to prove he deserves an extension and went some way to earning one against Partick Thistle.
A confident display from the left-sider, which included a thumping late effort, will have reminded supporters and management alike what he is capable of.
Roberts (22) has endured a stop-start campaign after requiring surgery for a long-standing groin problem, but now fully fit, he has his sights set on an extended stay in the Highland capital.
He told the HN: "You don’t stop until the last game of the season. I’ll keep playing, training hard and seeing what happens. It’s been frustrating with the injury but the style of play suits me. The lads are brilliant and I’d love to stay.
"The gaffer hasn’t said anything yet but hopefully that will get resolved in the next week. That way you can enjoy the last couple of weeks of the season with a smile on your face."
A three-game stint – Dundee United, Hamilton Accies and Dundee – will be the proving ground for Roberts and several others as the 2015-16 campaign draws to a close.
In addition to the former Aldershot man, fringe players like Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo and Lewis Horner could get a chance to shine, with contracts already out to Danny Devine and Owain Fon Williams.
Roberts had been out of the side since the loss to Hamilton last month before his recall against Partick last weekend and despite admitting being short of sharpness, he was pleased with his display.
He said: "It’s difficult to come in when you’re not fully-fit. I’m injury free but coming and playing against a full-back who is flying is hard. But you’ve just got to dig in and keep going and you’ll get your rewards, which I did with the goal.
"It’s always frustrating if you’re out of the team. But if you’re in the side you’ve got to do your job, whether that’s defending, attacking or scoring goals. That’s what I did and hopefully the fans and manager can see that. Hopefully we don’t stop now until the end of the season.
"It could have been more. The scoreline shows our performance was up there but the lads took their goals very well. It’s always nice to get on the scoresheet and help the team.
"A goal is a goal, but I’m more happy to be back playing and doing what I do best."
*** Caley Thistle this week confirmed its first-ever training kit sponsor from next season.
Inverness civil enginering firm Daviot Group, will have its name on the players and coaches’ training kits from pre-season starting in late June.
