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Inverness Caley Thistle winger says it was a simple decision to stay in Highland capital after one of the most enjoyable seasons in his career





Luis Longstaff says it was a simple decision to commit his future to Inverness Caledonian Thistle after one of the most enjoyable seasons in his career.

The 24-year-old was one of Caley Thistle’s key performers as head coach Scott Kellacher guided them to safety despite a 15-point penalty for going into administration, making 31 appearances throughout the campaign.

At the end of the season, he was also confirmed as one of three players to have committed his future to the club for the next two seasons, part of a wider group of 11 to have agreed new deals.

Longstaff says there was never any doubt in his mind that he wanted to stay in the Highland capital if the Caley Jags were able to remain in League One, and was delighted to come to an agreement so quickly after the final whistle was blown on the season.

“I just wanted to get it done as quickly as possible so that I could relax knowing I would be coming back,” Longstaff said.

“It was nice to get it done and put that indecision to the back of my mind for a little bit, because even though it was a difficult year at times I always wanted to stay.

“Obviously if we had been relegated, it could have been a little bit more difficult, but once we knew we were staying up there wasn’t really a decision to be made for me.

“There was no doubt in my mind. Last season, despite everything that happened, it was probably the most I’ve enjoyed football for a long while, so it made sense to stay.

“The manager has played a big part in that. He just let me play the way I wanted to play, and the way I enjoy playing.

“I was back out on the wing, and he encouraged me to be positive, get crosses into the box and take defenders on one v one, which is the way I’ve always wanted to play.

“We had a great team last year as well. The environment around the place was a lot more positive, especially once Kell took over. On the pitch and off the pitch, it felt like a good place to be and a place you wanted to be around.”

The last year or so has been rife with uncertainty at the Caledonian Stadium, largely around the club entering administration last October, but on the pitch the players did their best to focus on football.

Even so, seeing what they were able to achieve with such a cloud hanging over the club gives Longstaff optimism that even better is still to come if an exit to administration is secured next week.

“There was a lot of stuff going on that you don’t even think about when you just want to play football - going into administration, getting points taken off you, not knowing where you are going to be or if you’re going to get kicked out the door one day,” Longstaff added.

“Mentally, I think getting through that has been a big help for everyone who has been a part of it.

“Hopefully when we come out of administration, it will feel like a bit of a breeze next year and we can just focus on what we’re doing on the pitch.

“As much as everyone said we didn’t really think about it, and I was the same, especially coming to the end of the season you are thinking about what the next stage will be a little bit.

“Having that completely wiped out, and not having to think about it at all, I think can only have a positive impact on the pitch for everyone.

“I think we’ve got around 15 signed up, so that shows a lot of people were feeling the same as I was and wanted to come back to see what we can do next season.

“Hopefully we can push to win the league and get back up to the Championship.”


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