Source: Team_Talk
Kerr: We can win relegation scrap
Kerr thought about turning his back on the game before Caley Thistle boss Butcher recruited him last week.[LNB]The 27-year-old midfielder became disillusioned at failing to secure a club after being released by Hibernian in September.[LNB]But, following his appointment at Inverness last month, Butcher wasted little time snapping up a player whom he also brought to Motherwell in the summer of 2004.[LNB]Kerr made his debut coming on as a substitute in last weekend's Homecoming Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock.[LNB]It was only his second first-team game in almost a year, ensuring it was a moment he cherished.[LNB]"It was just great to be back involved on a Saturday afternoon again," Kerr said.[LNB]"The lads had done extremely well and when I came on it was just about seeing the final 15 minutes out and making sure of our place in the next round of the cup."[LNB]Kerr was signed for Hibs by John Collins in the summer of 2007 but once Mixu Paatelainen took over just over year ago, he went from first-team regular to fringe player.[LNB]"The first six months went well enough, or as well as I could have expected, at Easter Road," he said.[LNB]"But when John left and the new manager came in with his own plans and decisions - which were different from what I wanted - it was time to move on."[LNB]Kerr knows he faces a fight to become a regular part of Butcher's plans, but for now he is happy to to whatever he can to help his new club avoid the drop.[LNB]He said: "For me, it's all about proving my fitness to the manager because I've not been playing first-team football for a few months and the lads have been playing exceptionally well, so there's no complaints for me about sitting on the bench.[LNB]"When the manager gives me the shout, I've got to prove it's my position to keep.[LNB]"There's great competition for places here, which is good.[LNB]"Ian Black and Russell Duncan have been excellent.[LNB]"They merit their starting place and I'll just need to make sure I'm ready when called upon, whether that be through injuries or suspensions."[LNB]Kerr experienced a relegation scare two years ago when Motherwell, under current Inverness assistant Maurice Malpas, were dragged down into a dogfight with St Mirren and Dunfermline.[LNB]He insists Inverness have what it takes to survive.[LNB]Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Dundee United, he said: "To be relegated into the First Division is unthinkable and it means even more to keep the club up.[LNB]"The situation is not ideal being bottom of the table for everybody, but we feel the squad is strong enough.[LNB]"The manager has given the club a new lease of life and I think the lads are comfortable in knowing we can get ourselves out of trouble.[LNB]"The manager has installed self-belief into the side and we're all pulling in the same direction.[LNB]"So we've got to continue that and build on the performances over the last couple of weeks and make sure it doesn't get treated like a honeymoon period."[LNB][LNB]
