Billy McKay’s defence hailed by Caley keeper Brill

Inverness' Billy McKay has scored 44 goals in the last 18 months. Picture: SNS

The Northern Ireland international has been linked with the likes of Burnley and Peterborough after scoring 44 goals in a season-and-a-half. McKay drew a blank in the goalless Scottish Premiership clash at Partick Thistle on Boxing Day after Scott Fox saved his only chance with his legs. But Brill appreciated his hard work defending from the front and would love the club to hold on to the 25-year-old in January.

Brill said: “He has scored a lot of goals, he is a good player. But it’s not just his goals, I thought he worked his socks off on Boxing Day. He helps us a lot to keep clean sheets. It’s just not us at the back, he does a lot of work for us up there.

“We would never want to lose him but Billy keeps his head down like the rest of us and we will keep working. It’s up to the club, we hope we can keep him, we want to keep everyone. The boys are a great bunch.”

Brill made several good saves against Partick, although he was helped by some poor finishing from the home side. He could be expected to be busy again when Celtic visit the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium tomorrow, but Inverness came close to beating the champions in August when they drew 2-2 at Parkhead.

“When we played at their place I didn’t really have too much to do,” Brill said. “They have a lot of the ball, that’s the way it happens. But I don’t remember having too much to do at their place so I’d like it if we can do that again on Sunday. It was my first time there and it was good being 2-0 up but we were gutted we got the draw. But that’s a long time ago now.”