Trip to South America will benefit me and ICT - Mckay
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BILLY Mckay believes a busy summer will be of help and not a hindrance to both himself and Caley Thistle during the forthcoming season.
The prolific striker, who has scored 52 goals in 105 starts since moving to Inverness three years ago, had little time to rest once the Scottish Premiership season ended in mid-May.
Called into the Northern Ireland squad for friendlies against the World Cup-bound duo of Uruguay and Chile, Mckay came up against the likes of new Arsenal signing Alexis Sanchez, Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani.
Despite playing in every single one of Caley Thistle’s games last season, the 25-year-old’s campaign was prolonged in South America as took his tally of senior caps to seven.
Not that it bothered Mckay, who believes the experience can only help him get better as a player, therefore benefitting Inverness.
"It was touch and go if I was making the squad to be honest after I picked up a knock in the last game of the season against St Johnstone," said Mckay, whose current contract expires in the summer of next year. "However, I managed to shake it off and was happy to get my chance for the national team.
"It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play over there and I knew I couldn’t pass it up. We played in front of over 50,000 against Uruguay in Montevideo.
"It’s great to test yourself up against some of the best players in the world and I feel it will improve my game and chances of getting more international call-ups from having played against them. I got 80 minutes against Uruguay and an hour against Chile, so I’m happy to have got the game time."
After an extended break, Mckay is now well into pre-season training with the rest of the Caley Thistle squad as he targets another swift start to the campaign.
"I’m looking forward to getting going again this season and hoping I can get off to the same start as last season," he said.
"I scored eight goals in the first eight games of last season, so hopefully I can do something similar this time around."
CALEY Thistle striker Billy Mckay was promoting tickets for Sunday’s friendly match against Fleetwood Town at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. Briefs cost £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, while under-16s get in free.
There is fun for all the family before the match with a BBQ and funfair from 12.45pm. Fans will also have the chance to meet the whole first-team squad after the match. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Caley Thistle’s ticket office, online from ictfc.com, or on the day.
