Delighted Alex Samuel confident goals will continue to flow for Inverness Caley Thistle after hat-trick against Raith in the Championship
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Alex Samuel has said he is loving his football again – with confidence flowing that he will continue to score goals for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Championship.
On just his second appearance for his loan club, the 28-year-old Welshman scored a nine-minute hat-trick at the end of the first half away at Raith Rovers on Saturday.
That helped his side to a 3-2 victory that, although not moving the Caley Jags higher up the Championship table, kept them in the race for the promotion play-offs.
If the four goals in his first two games for Inverness are anything to go by, Samuel could have a key role to play in that push.
He has already scored more for ICT than he did in two-and-a-half years at parent club Ross County, and while he has never been prolific throughout his career Samuel is optimistic the goals will continue to flow.
"It was amazing – the first (hat-trick) of my career," Samuel enthused.
"I am loving my football again. The gaffer has been great, asking me to just go out and show what I can do which has given me confidence, and it's great to be able to repay that with three goals and for the team as well.
"I have always wanted to add goals to my game. I always put 100 per cent in and the goals have not been flowing as much as I'd like, so to come down a level and get the chance to show what I can do is amazing.
"I always knew that as long as I give 100 per cent, goals will come by getting into those positions, but it is also about the quality of balls into me.
"I got really good service on Saturday. I have been in the right place to put the chances in, so it's credit to the boys as well."
Samuel showed early signs of a strong partnership with fellow Inverness striker Billy Mckay at Stark's Park.
On paper, workhorse Samuel and clinical 35-year-old Mckay would appear to complement each other well, and Samuel admitted he is looking forward to seeing how they can bounce off each other going forward.
"Even in training, I have seen how good a player Billy is," Samuel reasoned.
"I have been excited to be able to play alongside him because he drops in and is such a clever player, going round the corners.
"I thought we linked up really well, especially in the first half. We looked a real threat, so we want to build on that.
"He's a quality player – I think we'll cause this division lots of problems."
While Samuel has been able to celebrate back-to-back victories to kick off life in the Highland capital, Caley Thistle will be looking to address a poor home record next time out when they host Queen's Park in league action.
ICT's last home win in the league came on November 11 in a 3-1 triumph against Ayr, but if they are to make hopes of a play-off charge a reality in the second half of the season they will need to rediscover a winning touch at the Caledonian Stadium.
"Every game is huge," Samuel added.
"We said if we could get the win at Raith Rovers and get the win against Queen's Park on Saturday we're back in the fight. That's how quickly football can turn around.
"Our focus is on Saturday and try to build on this confidence. To take three points away to Raith Rovers was a huge boost for the club and we will focus on doing the same again."
