Caley Thistle midfielder Alex Cooper is determined to earn a longer stay at Caledonian Stadium to ensure he is in with a chance of helping Inverness secure IRN-BRU Cup glory.
Cooper was handed just his fifth start since joining the Highlanders in the summer in Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Falkirk, which puts John Robertson’s men in the hat for tomorrow’s semi-final draw.
The last-four ties will be played on the weekend of February 17 and 18 but Cooper’s short-term deal expires in January and the former Ross County player is eager to show Robertson he warrants a new deal.
Cooper said: “I was hungry to try and do well. I was happy to be in the team and hopefully I can get more start.
“I’ve not spoken to the manager at all. I just want to be involved and I’ll see what happens.
“I was in and about the team but then missed two weeks because of my ankle injury.
“I got back training last week and played in the game against Ross County.
“I just want to do as much as I can until the Christmas period and we will see what happens.
“I was back fine last week so it’s good to just get back 100% fit and to play and get a win.”
The victory, which was secured by Connor Bell’s second-half goal, continues Caley Jags’ excellent recent run, with Inverness now unbeaten in their last seven matches without conceding a goal.
Cooper feels the club is an enjoyable environment to be in, adding: “It was a good win and it was good to carry on the run with another good result. Everyone was happy with that.
“It’s good to have a positive run in the competition. It was important just to get the win, it maybe wasn’t the prettiest game but we got the win which was the most important thing. It’s positive. In the last while things have taken a turn and everyone wants to be involved as we’re back on the up rather than on a slump at the bottom, which was a negative period.
“The boys stayed positive and that’s how we’ve managed to turn it around.”
Cooper’s father, Neale, was inducted to Aberdeen’s hall of fame on Friday to mark the Gothenburg Great’s contribution to the Dons, with the 26-year-old proud of his accolade.
Cooper added: “It was really good he got that on Friday night. It’s just another trophy he’ll be telling me about for years to come.
“I couldn’t go through at all but he’s got enough of them. They need to stop giving him them.”