Inverness Caley Thistle youngsters have gained valuable experience throughout League One season, says former youth team captain Matthew Strachan
Matthew Strachan says Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s young stars have relished the chance to play together for the club’s first team this season.
The 19-year-old has been one of a number of teenagers to break into the senior side on a regular basis this season, making 17 appearances across all competitions.
In particular, he had a run of starts at the end of 2024 in the aftermath of Jake Davidson’s injury, but has had to be patient for his opportunity since the turn of the year.
In fact, Strachan’s call off the bench against Queen of the South was his first appearance in 2025, but he would back that up with a start in last weekend’s 3-0 win at Cove Rangers.
Fellow academy graduate Keith Bray starred in that performance, scoring a hat-trick, and Strachan says it has been a good feeling to come through into the first team picture as a collective this season.
"We've all come through the years together, so it's been really good to go out on the pitch and play for the first-team,” Strachan said.
"Given we all know one another well, it has been good. We're all still pretty young, but it has been a good experience for us.
"For me, it was good to get the chance to start against Cove, and it was a good experience.
"It was also good for Keith to get his hat-trick, but that game is done, so we're only focused on Saturday's game. Three points is what we're looking for to help us now.”
As a homegrown talent, Strachan is also well aware of the importance of Caley Thistle being connected with – and consequently receiving the full backing of – their local community.
This Saturday’s match will see the latest example of attempts to reconnect with the city’s population, with the return of a family package where two adults and two children can get in for £45 in total.
That also follows a Caley Jags pop up at the Eastgate Centre this week, which saw players meeting fans on Tuesday and Thursday.
"It's been a good chance for us to see the fans,” Strachan reflected.
"It gives them a chance to meet us and builds the togetherness between the fans and the club.
"It would be great to see the fans come out in good numbers on Saturday. They have been really good for the team, including coming to our away games in good numbers, which is really good.
"Hopefully meeting people in town this week will have a good impact on the fans and make them want to come to the games a bit more.”
