Williams targets regular ICT berth
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ESTABLISHING himself as a first-team regular is high on the agenda for Danny Williams this season.
A debut campaign in the Highlands saw him make just 11 starts for the Caley Jags but an impressive pre-season has seen him rewarded with a place in the starting 11.
The former Chester winger shone against Hamilton Accies on the opening day and looked promising in the midweek draw against Dundee.
He made the transition to full-time football last year after spells in the English lower leagues and found it difficult to break into the first-team fold.
Injuries gave him a chance during the Christmas-New Year period, where he made seven starts, and it is something he wants to build on after being elevated to the starting lineup for the new season, ahead of Aaron Doran and Marley Watkins.
"Last year I think I made something like 12 starts, so it will be nice to improve on that," he said.
"It’s always nice to be picked. Marley and Aaron are quality players. Everyone in the squad is decent so it’s been a bit of a challenge to get in the team.
"I wouldn’t say it was difficult season because it was my first year in the SPL and I got a taste for it. I feel like I’m a bit more experienced this year and I’m enjoying my football.
"I had a good pre-season and enjoyed every minute of it. It’s time to kick on now, get as many games as I can under my belt and help the team finish in a good position."
The 26-year-old, who is signed up at Inverness until 2016, played himself into the team last season thanks to his versatility.
Williams was deployed on both flanks, while also covering for injuries alongside Ross Draper in the centre of the park.
His displays against Hamilton and Dundee have seen him display a good understanding with fellow left-sider Graeme Shinnie, no stranger to filling multiple roles himself.
The two regularly interchanged positions and made the most of the space Dundee’s narrow setup afforded them.
He is pleased with how the partnership with Shinnie is developing.
"Shinnie is a quality player. He likes to get forward and I feel like he’s similar to myself in the left-back position," he said.
"He’s always getting round me and it creates a lot of space for me when he pushes on.
"There was some good end-to-end stuff and we were a bit unlucky in the second half not to get a win."
Williams could feel hard-done-by if left out of the side for tomorrow’s trip to Motherwell, but should retain his place given the doubts over James Vincent’s fitness.
He played less than half an hour out of the four contests against ‘Well last season, with Inverness only coming out on top in the first matchup last August.
But he believes Caley Thistle should go down to Fir Park full of confidence.
"It’ll be a tough game, it always is when we go down to Motherwell," he said. "We’re full of confidence though and we’ve started pretty well.
"Being unbeaten in two games is good in anyone’s eyes so we’ll be going down there for the three points."
