Jake Mulraney takes criticism on board as he strives for consistency at Caley Thistle
JAKE Mulraney took criticism of his performances on the chin and believes he is showing a reaction now on the pitch.
The Caley Thistle winger has been singled out for his lack of an end product, by supporters and manager John Robertson, but Saturday’s 1-0 win over Dunfermline saw him tee up Connor Bell for the second game in succession.
His time in Inverness has been a frustrating one and Mulraney readily admits he has struggled to find consistency. He arrived in 2016 amid rave reviews from then-manager Richie Foran but found himself in and out of the side, Out of his 32 appearances in all competitions last season, only 13 came from the starting line-up and he never started more than three games in succession.
However, in the last few games Mulraney has started to show there is more substance to his game than just the flashes of brilliance he has shown in the past.
Known for his electric pace and ability to beat a man, he is now showing he can add an end product to his game.
“Connor’s a striker and he’s always going to be in there. I’ve just got to put it in an area I know he’ll be,” he said.
“I know I’ve been getting a bit of stick but that’s football. The main thing is if I get past someone, I set up. It’s an area of my game I need to improve and hopefully I can stay in the team and continue to provide.
“Two weeks ago was my first start since August, so it’ll probably take another game and a bit to get to my top level. If it’s a game like Saturday, it’s hard to come on to games like that and provide.
“He (Robertson) just reminds me before every game and in training not to relax because I’m in the team. I need to keep doing what I’m doing and he’s right.”
Mulraney was in the side that were thumped 5-1 by Dunfermline but was then benched until the draw with Falkirk on October 14. He was a standout performer then and repeated such a display on Saturday, regularly getting the beating of Dunfermline full-back Jason Talbot.
From a run of games where it looked like the Caley Jags may struggle, they have come out of it unbeaten without conceding a goal. They have not lost in their last five games and have clean sheets in every one.
The front three of Mulraney, Bell and John Baird have started all those games and that consistency Mulraney craves appears to be coming.
“I struggled a bit at the start of the season but hopefully I can continue this. Even when you’re not playing and the team is working together, it still feels good,” said Mulraney.
“I don’t care about age but I was a young lad learning last season. I was in and out, having good games and bad games. I needed to find consistency.
“You can feel it on the pitch. There was a time in the first half (against Dunfermline) where four of us were running for the ball. When everyone’s grafting together, the nerves go because you know you’ve got someone backing you up.
“It was a graft. Towards the end of the second half I thought we just needed to dig in and keep doing what we were doing for each other.
“They smashed us 5-1 earlier in the season so we needed to get them back. I’m glad we did. But we were solid at the back and I can’t really remember Mark having to make a save. Brad was unbelievable.”
While his performances on the pitch are moving up the gears, Mulraney is still stuck in first gear when it comes to learning to drive.
“I’ve failed my theory test four times and I just can’t seem to get a hold of the clutch! I want to be driving before the summer I hope, so I’m giving myself a few months,” he said.
“Ravs (Raven) and Aaron are bringing me through to training just now. They’ve been doing me favours and I’ll have to give it back.”
Two of his fellow countrymen, Aaron Doran and Zak Elbouzedi, are nearing comebacks from long-term knee injuries and will provide extra competition for Mulraney and Bell in the wide areas.
“Aaron and Zak are class players and I rate them both highly,” said Mulraney. “That’s what me and Connor need just now, that bit more competition.”