Striker Adam Rooney is confident Inverness are more than equipped for life back in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Caley Thistle begin life back in the top flight at home to http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/celtic/ - Celtic on Saturday after winning the Irn-Bru First Division title by 12 points following a 21-game unbeaten league run. Rooney, 22, was voted the division's player of the season and he is eager to take his form into the SPL.

"We've had a really good pre-season, the first couple of weeks were tough with all the running but the trip to http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/blackpool/ - Blackpool was excellent and helped the team bond together," the Irishman said. "We'll be up for every game this year no matter who we play, home or away we're just keen to get the three points from every game."

He continued: "It's definitely different from last year because everyone had to get used to being relegated from the SPL and I don't think too many had experienced that before.

"A few new lads came in and it took time for everybody to gel and get to know each other, and when it did click we showed what a good team we can be."

Rooney, who was signed by Craig Brewster, ended his first campaign in http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/scotland/ - Scotland with six goals to his name as the Highlanders slipped down a division.

However, last season he netted 27 goals to become Caley Thistle's main goal threat. But the former Stoke player is not overly focused on goal targets this season.

"Nobody has put me under any pressure to score a certain amount of goals," he said. "It will just be up to me to grab as many goals as I can just like last year.

"A lot of guys chipped in with goals last year, Richie Foran grabbed 16 and Johnny Hayes got 10, so there's definitely goals throughout the team and we'll need everyone scoring this season.

"There's a lot of experience in the side, with some guys having played all five seasons in the SPL and there's a good mix in the squad at the moment. The younger lads will provide the energy and the older guys will keep us in check. But we'll need to work as a team just as we did last year."

 

They are probably yet to get in touch

 

You don't have to post up every single article on Irish players, most of us don't care that Kevin Kilbane thinks Hull should be "savy to the threat of championship football"

 

...queue annoyed response

Caley Thistle forward Adam Rooney hit a career milestone of 50 career goals after netting a double in the Highland club's 3-0 League Cup win over Peterhead in Inverness last night.

The 22-year-old netted 27 times for the Caley Jags in a prolific campaign in the First Division last term – and was also on target for Stoke City, Chesterfield and Bury on loan before moving north.

The Irish forward has made the step up to the SPL with ease, scoring twice in the four-goal thrashing of Dundee United then adding another two against the Blue Toon.

He said: “It is a nice achievement to score my 50th career goal.

“Throughout my whole career I have been aiming to hit that mark and I am glad I have got it out the way. Hopefully, I can double that in the next few seasons with Caley Thistle.

“I knew I was close after last season and I wanted to get 50 as soon as I could this season.

“The main thing is the team are doing well and we have started off the season brightly.

“We look strong defensively, we are solid across the middle and going forward we look capable of scoring goals every time.

“We’ll look to continue that against Hamilton Accies on Saturday."

Rooney believes the Caley Jags will flourish in the SPL this term after surprising many observers by dismantling Dundee United with ease at Tannadice.

He added: “We look forward to every game in the SPL. We want to playing against the top teams and there is no pressure on us.

“I have never been put under pressure by the manager or any of the other players. I had a good season last season, as did the whole team, and coming into this season we felt confident.

“It was a great night for us against Peterhead, a 3-0 win, and we took our foot of the gas a bit in the second half.

“I never doubted I could keep scoring after last season. We are creating chances. I had quite a few against Dundee United and to get another two goals against Peterhead was great.

“I am always confident that if the team creates chances I will get on the end of them.

“As long as we can keep it going in the next few weeks and pick up a few more points in the league we will be happy."

 

 

 

 

If we're looking for lanky mediocre strikers that play/used to play in Scotland then I think Cillian Sheridan has that place sewn up...

 

Because he is 22

 

 

 

 

Sorry don't agree, have seen him a few times at different levels, good head on his shoulders, at 22 he has a bit to go, Time will tell.

 

 

However, Rooney, 22, will be too old by then, and so he is desperate to sign off in style.

He said: 'I'm delighted to be back with the Under-21s. It's been a few years since I was in the squad, so I'm glad to be back.

'Unfortunately, these will be my last two matches because I will be over-age for the next campaign, so hopefully I get a chance to play and it will be great to play for Ireland again.'

When Rooney last represented his country against England in February 2008, he was still trying to make his way in the game at Stoke City, from where he had loan spells at Yeovil, Chesterfield and Bury.

However, he has blossomed since moving north of the border to join Inverness Caledonian Thistle, for whom he scored 24 goals last season as they bounced back into the Scottish Premier League at the first attempt.

Four goals in five top-flight games to date have demonstrated his continuing potency, and he is relishing the chance to link up with Anthony Stokes once again following his big summer move to Celtic.

Rooney said: 'I would say myself, Kris Boyd and Stokesy were the top three scorers in Scotland last season, so it would be nice to link-up with Stokesy for the Under-21s.

'We have played together for Ireland a few times and we always seem to score goals together.'

Caley Thistle attacker Adam Rooney is content to put his contract negotiations on the backburner and concentrate on finding the net for the Highlanders.

The 22-year-old is in the final year of his deal and Inverness manager Terry Butcher is keen to begin extension talks.

Rooney, who struck 27 goals en route to the First Division title last term, is relishing life with Caley Jags and is determined to continue making strides in the SPL.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international said: “I have not really had time to think about it with the games coming thick and fast and being away with the international team.

“It is not something I have been worrying about, I am sure it will be discussed in the next few weeks.

“I am very happy here. I have enjoyed my two years at the club and I am just concentrating on enjoying the matches.

“It has been a good move for me. Last season was the first time I played regular football, starting each week, and I think it helped me improve a lot.

“I will keep working hard this year and, hopefully, keep improving. It is good for the confidence to hear the manager speaking about wanting me to stay. It is always nice to hear. I just want to keep repaying that confidence by working hard for the team.

“Hopefully, I can keep scoring goals. It would be nice to get a couple against Hearts.”

Rooney has already bagged five goals this season and is hungry for more.

He would love to be on the scoresheet against Hearts today but his first aim is collecting three points.

He said: “It is good for the confidence to get a few goals early on. The good thing is we are creating chances for everyone. We have a lot of different scorers throughout the team, it is not just one person getting the goals.

“There are goals in this team. We have been fairly solid defensively as well, so things are looking good.

“Hearts are a good side and it will be a hard game.

“Jim Jefferies is an experienced manager and he will have them well organised. They have made a decent start but it is more about how we perform. It is important to get the home form right.”

Rooney puts the team first

CALEY THISTLE AWAY RECORD COMES BEFORE ADAM’S GOALS TARGET

Published: 27/11/2010

Adam Rooney had no idea he was on the verge of his own Inverness milestone at Parkhead today – but insists he would happily swap it for making them unbeaten away from home in a year.

As well as chalking up his 100th appearance for Caley Thistle in Glasgow's East End, the Dubliner is just one goal short of taking his goals tally to 50 in his two years since signing from Stoke City to make him one of the most prolific hitmen in the SPL.

Rooney, with 13 goals already to his credit this season, is relishing the trip to Celtic Park where Terry Butcher’s men have the chance to stretch their proud undefeated run in the league to exactly 12 months.

And while he’s had praise poured on him up until now for his exploits, the modest Irishman insists he’s more concerned with maintaining the team’s travelling record when they go head-to-head with Neil Lennon's title-chasers.

Rooney said: “Someone said to me the other day that I was close to my 50th goal for the club which I actually wasn’t aware of.

“Things have obviously been going well for me in front of goal and for a lot of strikers that’s the be the be-all-and-end-all.

“But, to be honest, my main focus has always been the team and helping them achieve first and foremost.

“As a forward, you go into every game wanting to hit the back of the net and this one will be no different. My attitude is that if it happens on the day then in happens.

“But if someone else takes the plaudits this week then I won’t be complaining as the main thing is to try and keep this fantastic run going away from home.

“It’s amazing to think that we’ve not lost away for such a long time and we’ve been to difficult places like Ibrox, Tynecastle and Tannadice and come away unscathed.

“Some would say that this represents the biggest test of our mettle yet as Celtic will be aiming to bounce back from drawing with Dundee United last weekend and we’ve also come this far in respect of our away form.

“However, we’re going there quietly confident and will approach it the same way as any other away fixture.”

Inverness emerged from their recent trip to the other half of the Old Firm with a well-deserved point against Rangers at Ibrox.

For once Rooney wasn’t on target that day although the Irish ace reckons they can draw inspiration from their game across in the other half of the city.

He said : “We fell behind against Rangers but still had the resilience and grit to come back for a point late in the game.

“There’s no real secret as such to our success but I think that Rangers draw sums us up our whole attitude.”

 

What do you think of  Joe Shaughnessy? I realise he's been on laon at Forfa and currently is at Falkirk bot do you think he has a future with the Dons?

He's back at Aberdeen and played much of the match against Ross County. He was on the bench against Hamilton. I rate him, though he isn't a big dominating centre half which is what I think the manager looks for.

His contract is up in the Summer. I hope we keep him and he gets a run in the team.He has a great attitude.Might have to think about a different position though.

 

This, I think Rooney is certainly worth a call up.

Maybe after June he might be worth a wee look.

Regardless of potential  (Doyle is at least 30). Rooney is playing weekly and scoring regularly the other 2??

Seems you were right!

RTE.ie

http://www.google.co.uk/url?url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/scottish/2015/0423/696319-adam-rooney-nominated-for-scottish-award/&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=hdI5VayrJ4vaaPevgeAL&ved=0CBcQqQIwAA&usg=AFQjCNGojcWoRsAj5cMBIc9YjUdyaS7uzA" rel="nofollow - Adam Rooney nominated for Scottish award RTE.ie -

http://www.google.co.uk/url?url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/adam-rooney-ready-for-exciting-month-351375.html&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ved=0CBkQqQIwAGoVChMI5vnJzsnXxwIVigrbCh3xBA8K&usg=AFQjCNFIvISgiaI9tkaD25x0rFxXPFRwZg" rel="nofollow - Adam Rooney ready for exciting month

 

He's hardly had a touch its all Hearts as they lead 1 0.

Any word on how Alan Power is getting on at Lincoln?

I would be more in favour of giving Joe Mason, Paddy Madden or Eoin Doyle a chance in that order.

Madden is still scoring every other week at League One level - which IMO is better than the SPL - and he's not even playing up front most of the time.

He looked busy enough in his cameo against Wales too; had a decent effort saved.

Deserves another shot IMO.

Rooney had 3 in 18 from open play. On a par with Doyle this season. Doyle would edge it for me simply because he scored far more at L1 level and is a bit different to what we already have.

http://www.hibs.net/showthread.php?253565-Eoin-Doyle" rel="nofollow - http://www.hibs.net/showthread.php?253565-Eoin-Doyle

http://www.hibs.net/showthread.php?296527-Eoin-Doyle/page3" rel="nofollow - http://www.hibs.net/showthread.php?296527-Eoin-Doyle/page3

You never know about giving players caps from lesser leagues. After all Rooney failed miserably in the Championship while Murphy is thriving there. No guarantee Rooney would get anymore goals than Murphy's haul of nothing!

I was never overly impressed with him re his stint at Celtic.

Just checked his stats and only scored once from play in over 20 games.

Two were peno's.