Charlie Reilly has lifted the lid on the reasons behind his loan move from Dundee to Inverness.
The winger moved to Dens Park on a free transfer from Albion Rovers impressing in League Two, scoring 22 goals in a relegated side.
The jump to the Premiership is obviously a daunting one and he appeared just seven times in the league last season before a loan switch to Arbroath in the Championship at the end of the campaign.
After playing just one in this season’s League Cup group campaign, the 22-year-old headed back out on loan again, this time to Caley Thistle.
Why Reilly chose Inverness CT loan
Reilly made his Inverness debut in the defeat to Arbroath at the weekend, playing for 75 minutes. Post-match, he explained why it was felt that was the best move for him.
He said: “I am here to get minutes. There was interest from elsewhere, but we felt Inverness was the best move for me and for Dundee.
“I have had a hard time with injuries and I have missed out on a lot of football. Over the past year, I think I’ve played no more than 12 games, so coming to Inverness gives me the chance to get a run of games now.”
Reilly’s promising youth and Albion Rovers spell
He was seen as a promsing young player at Hamilton Accies and was part of their unbeaten Under-17 team which won their Elite Youth League during the 2017–18 season and qualified them to the 2018–19 UEFA Youth League.
He turned pro with Accies and had a loan at Airdrie but was eventually releaed. Partick Thistle took him on trial and were impressed enough to hand out a contract.
But he left after his year contract and that proved to be a wise move after being snapped up by Albion.
Despite Rovers struggling at the bottom of League Two and ultimately getting relegated to the Lowland League, Rielly banged in 22 goals and was nominated for the league’s player of the year award.
That put him on the radar of other clubs and the Dee were the ones to win the race to snap him up.