Caley Thistle striker Ben Corner tipped for first team breakthrough after excelling at Clachnacuddin

Caley Thistle striker Ben Corner has all the “warrior” qualities required to press for first team action with the League One champions.

That view of the 19-year-old attacker comes from manager of Highland League club Clachnacuddin, Conor Gethins, who had him on loan twice last season.

He has been with the Inverness club since the age of 11 and signed his first pro contract with the club in 2024.

Last year a serious knee injury required an operation for the attacker who hails from Fort William.

Corner, along with midfielders Shae Keogh and Sam Thompson, recently signed new one-year extensions at Caley Thistle and have been promoted to the club’s first team squad.

The versatile forward has made four senior appearances for ICT from the bench and he, like Keogh and Thompson, who were on loan at Highland League champions Brora Rangers last term, will be looking to make the breakthrough at the now Championship side.

‘Ben has a great engine’

Gethins explained what impressed him about Corner during his time at Clach.

He said: “Ben is a 100% footballer.

“Sometimes that kills him because he had a few injuries last year – and they are impact injuries because of how he plays. He rolls up his sleeve and he’s an absolute warrior.

“He showed that many a time for us. His first class work ethic on and off the park has helped earn him his new Caley Thistle contract. It’s all down to him.

“We had to use Ben in a few positions. He would be out on the right, cut inside and shows really good composure.

“He has a great engine and energy and that’s when you would play him in midfield. He was just the type of player we were craving at certain moments in our season.

“If you had eight Ben Corners in your team and a few more with flair at the other end you would be doing alright.

“What he brought to the team rubbed off on the rest of the boys. Full-time footballers like Ben have the heart and desire to run about and part-time players should then jump through hoops to try and marry that up.  Ben was a joy to work with.

‘It’s hard not to love a footballer like Ben, who is such a nice kid’

“One of (Clach assistant manager) Robbie Duncanson’s favourite quotes is to never fall in love with a loan player because they always have to go back to their clubs, but it’s hard not to love a footballer like Ben, who is such a nice kid.

“His desire was always there to do the best he can. I am delighted he got his new contract and I texted him, telling him it was fully deserved.

“Like every kid at Caley Thistle and Ross County, his goal has to now be to try and push for the first team. If you don’t have that, there’s no point being there.

“But Ben certainly wants it.

“Their team will be strengthened from last year now they are in the Championship, but I can tell you very few people will outrun him in pre-season, that’s for sure.”

Desire to return ‘fitter and stronger’

Gethins explained that Corner’s ability to respond to injuries is a real indicator to his determination to succeed.

He added: “Ben comes from a shinty part of the world where they don’t suffer fools gladly. They are hardy boys.

“I’d expect he would have played shinty back in the day.

“What Ben doesn’t realise is how mentally strong he is. He has had a few real setbacks, but his desire to come back fitter and stronger is amazing.

“Speaking previously to his Caley Thistle physios, they said he always wanted to keep going. Sometimes, he just needs to perhaps pull back from it for a week or two.”

Advice from ICT chief executive

Inverness chief executive Charlie Christie recently spelled out what the academy trio must aim for after being dealt in by manager Scott Kellacher and assistant Billy Mckay.

He said: “Huge credit to these three young ICT academy players that they have now made the transition into our first team squad for this coming season.

“Scott and Billy recognise the potential in all three and everyone at the club is hopeful that training on a daily basis with the first team will help them further develop.

“Shae and Sam benefited greatly by going out on loan to Highland League champions Brora last season as did Ben with his loan spell at Clachnacuddin.

“We now need them to hit the ground running at pre-season and force their way into the manager’s plans going forward.”