Iain Vigurs relishes second chance at Inverness CT

Iain Vigurs resigned for Inverness CT after leaving Motherwell. TSPL

The 27-year-old had not played a senior game since 13 December, in a 2-2 draw between Motherwell and former club Ross County, until re-signing for Caley Thistle on Wednesday and coming on in their goalless draw with Partick hours later.

Vigurs failed to make an appearance under Ian Baraclough after being hit with a back injury and was released at the end of the season.

His quest to find a new club took him from a trial at Barnsley to the Highland League, where he played for Inverurie Locos as a trialist in a bid to keep up his match sharpness.

A chance meeting with Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson led to him joining his former club for training and manager John Hughes was so impressed he persuaded his directors to break the budget to sign the skilful midfielder – much to the relief of Vigurs, who is now looking forward to playing at Celtic Park this afternoon.

“It’s been the first time in my career when I’ve ever had to go so long without a club,” he said. “Three months in limbo wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t nice.

“It’s a waiting game and it’s horrible. You are waiting for that phone call to come and you wonder whether it will ever come but fortunately it did.

“I want to play football and I will give 100 per cent for whoever I play for.”

Vigurs was denied that chance by the back problem during a torrid season for Motherwell.

He explained: “I managed about ten games in the league last season because of injury and it was just a non-starter.

“It was the first major injury I have ever had and it was hard. The boys weren’t doing too well on the pitch and when you can’t do anything about it, it makes it that little bit harder.”

Vigurs spent three years at Inverness before joining local rivals County in 2009, so he was well aware of the progress made at the Scottish Cup holders. And he is looking for more.

He added: “It’s been building here for a while. For two or three seasons they have been building a great squad, playing some great football and they thoroughly deserved what they got  last season. And I hope we can get more success.”