New Caley Thistle capture Ryan Barrett is determined to make his short-term Highland move a permanent one by impressing head coach Billy Dodds.
The 21-year-old signed on a short-term deal until January at the weekend and stepped off the bench in the latter stages of ICT’s tense 3-2 Scottish Cup win over League Two visitors Stirling Albion.
Right-back Barrett, who has represented Wales at under-17 level, had been a free agent since leaving Newcastle United, where he came through the Premier League club’s academy.
Happy to be here!⚽️❤️ https://t.co/QivF7X1TbO
— Ryan Barrett (@RyanBaz01) November 26, 2022
He has shaken clear a knee injury and been training, waiting for the chance to win a transfer, so he was thrilled to get the call from the north of Scotland.
After playing just nine minutes against Stirling, Barrett will want to taste more of the action against Championship promotion rivals Dundee this Saturday.
Debut in cup just the start for Barrett
When asked whether this is an opportunity to try and land a longer-term contract, he said: “The manager has made that clear, so I’m just going to do what I can really – try my best to impress in the short time I’ve got.
“I’ll try to hit the ground running. Coming on against Stirling Albion, I didn’t have too long on the park, but I was really happy to come on in front of the fans and get out on the pitch.
“I’m feeling good fitness-wise. My match fitness probably isn’t there 100 per cent, but that will come.
“I’ll keep training hard every day and try to do well for myself and the team.
“The knee injury definitely didn’t help me when it came to my future at Newcastle as I was on the sidelines quite a lot. It was really frustrating.
“But, even just with the way that club is going, with the (Saudi-led consortium) takeover happening and the signings they have made in my position, it was always going to be tough for me trying to break through.
“I already knew, going into the back end of last season, that I needed to go somewhere else – thankfully I’ve now got a chance to play here at Caley Thistle.”
Barrett was prepared for north move
And Barrett explained his Caley Jags team-mates were quick to welcome him as he prepares to tackle Scotland’s second-tier as the club battles on with nine injured players.
He said: “It is a big step and something I really need.
“Some of the lads who were at Newcastle went up to Scotland last season on loan and told us how good it was and what a challenge it would be.
“That meant I kind of knew what I was coming to.
“I’m just going to throw myself into it with all I have and try to hit the ground running.
“The club has put me up in a little flat in Inverness and the boys have been really welcoming.
“On the first day I came in, all the lads took a little bit of time to speak to me individually, which I really appreciated.
“I’m hopeful I’ll fit in really well and help give them a lift at a time when there’s a lot of injuries at the club.”
80' | 3-2
ICTFC Sub: Ryan Barrett on, Max Ram off
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) November 26, 2022
Newcastle and Wrexham connections
Barrett explained how he was able to play for Wales at under-17 level, having come from the north-east of England.
He added: “I live in Newcastle and I’m from Newcastle, where my dad Paul Barrett also played as a young man before joining Wrexham in Wales.
“That meant I was born down there and it gave me the chance to play for Wales, and I made a few appearances at youth international level. It was good.”
Caley Thistle are five points behind second-placed Dundee ahead of this weekend’s home showdown against the in-form Taysiders, and a further one point behind leaders Ayr United
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