Mitchell Robertson: ‘I came to Caley Thistle to be a winner, let’s go for the title’

Mitchell Robertson says his season-long loan with Inverness is teaching him how to be a winner.

The 21-year-old former Celtic B captain signed for Livingston in January on a three-and-a-half-year deal and has been loaned back by the Premiership’s basement side after initially heading north on loan from the Scottish champions.

With six games remaining, Caley Thistle are one point in front of Stenhousemuir at the top of League One.

On Friday night, they host fourth-placed Queen of the South before the chasing Warriors tackle East Fife away on Saturday.

Stenhousemuir ‘chapping at the door’

Inverness are on a 12-game unbeaten league streak with six victories and six draws and face Championship side Raith Rovers in the Challenge Cup final next Sunday.

With Stenny snapping at their heels, defender Robertson is relishing the chase as Inverness seek to win as many matches as they can to land the top prize, a return to the Championship after a two-year absence.

He said: “We definitely like the challenge. I love it, as a young player that’s why I came here on loan – to become a winner essentially.

“I wanted to learn how to become a winner and go about my business in the right way.

“Maybe for the fans in the stands it isn’t as good when it’s difficult for us, and it might be nervy times, but hopefully we can get over the line.

“Stenny are always chapping at the door against us.

“Of course you want to put that pressure back on them (before Saturday), but as long as we get the three points, that’s the most important thing at the end of the day.”

And Robertson, who could replace Danny Devine who has a knee injury, explained how his period in the Highlands has provided life lessons.

He said: “I’ve probably taken more off the pitch than I have on the pitch to be honest.

“Dealing with not playing, and living away from home, I had to learn how to go about that.

“The gaffer has kept me really positive the whole time, so I’ve learned a lot.”

Kellacher keeping spirits upbeat

Robertson explained that head coach Scott Kellacher is remaining his usual upbeat self ahead of the chase for the league title, which is helping the fired-up squad.

He said: “I don’t think the players are feeling pressure, but maybe the manager is.

“Everyone knows how he works, but for us he’s really good at putting things to one side and focusing on the task at hand.

“The mood around the camp is really positive, so it’s just really exciting right now.

“We have six league games left, so we’re really looking forward to getting them done and hopefully there’s a title at the end of it.”

Queens possess attacking threats

Inverness have beaten Queen of the South twice this season, while it was a 2-2 draw in Dumfries in January.

The Doonhamers are also chasing promotion and know that a win for them would widen the gap over Peterhead to eight points before the Blue Toon tackle Alloa on Saturday.

Robertson says Peter Murphy’s team ask lots of questions.

He added: “Every time we play Queen of the South, it’s a good physical battle.

“The boy up front (Kurtis Guthrie) is really physical, and the two wingers (Liam Smith and Kai Kennedy) are really direct. They can be hard to play against, but we’re really looking forward to it.”

Cup final thoughts on ice…for now

Although Caley Thistle’s next match after Friday is the Challenge Cup final at Firhill against Raith a week on Sunday, Robertson insists the squad mentality is the main factor going into these crunch clashes.

He said: “The final takes care of itself, regardless of who’s playing.

“You can see that when we score a goal or win a game, everyone is so happy and celebrating together.

“The manager implements that every day. Of course you want to play in the final, but if I’m not picked I’ll be the team’s biggest fan, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

[Source: Press and Journal]