Billy McKay on new Inverness deal hope as striker aim to smash goal record after 100 goal landmark

Inverness hitman Billy McKay wants a new two-year deal in the Highlands so he can smash the club’s goalscoring record.

The veteran striker failed to net at Hampden as the season ended with a Scottish Cup Final defeat to Celtic. But his two goals in the semi final win over Falkirk moved McKay onto the 100-mark – just one behind their all-time top scorer in the professional ranks Dennis Wyness. McKay is one of 13 players out of contract along with manager Billy Dodds . And asked if he knew where he’d be banging in goals next season the 34-year-old said: “I’m not sure, a lot of us are in the same situation.

“There’s six days left on the contract so we’ll see what happens over the next six days. I feel I’ve done enough to earn a couple of years contract here. At 34 people might not be willing to give out a two-year contract so we’ll see what the club says. I’m settled and I’d love to stay but it has to be right.

“It would be disappointing to leave at this point. If I sign again I’d be very confident of beating the record. A hundred goals for the club is a really good achievement and hopefully we can get something done.

“We know a couple of players will move on but if we can keep the core of experienced players and add some quality around I think we’ll have a good season.”

Northern Ireland international McKay reckons the club should have had the management team’s future sorted before the cup final to allow get planning for next season underway. And he’s backed Dodds to take the club forward should he stick around for a third season in charge.

He said: “I think that’s why it’s taken so long for the players. Ideally I think it should have been done before now, but the club decided they wanted to get the cup final out of the way first.

“Of course I’d like to continue working with the management team.

“I’ve had two seasons where I think I’ve done pretty well and scored a few goals so I’d love to continue.

“I’m in my third spell with Inverness and everyone knows what the club means to me, but I think it’s got to be right for both parties.”

McKay insists the Caley Jags can hold their heads high for their final performance. He said: “Obviously we’re disappointed, we knew what a huge task it was. For the first 30 minutes I thought we had a really good shape, we were frustrating them. But the first goal is typical Kyogo what he’s done all season, a great finish.

“Second half we started okay and at 1-0 we had a chance but the second goal from a quick free-kick was a killer. We knew it would be really hard and I think the lads can be really proud of their efforts.”

Meanwhile Robbie Deas admits he’ll be leaving Inverness with a heavy heart this summer after failing to win promotion.

The defender, who recovered from a broken leg early in the season to finish the campaign strongly, impressed against Celtic in Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final. Livingston and St Johnstone are among five Scottish sides keen on the 23-year-old who has options south of the border too.

And Deas said: “I’m going to be moving on, I wanted to be moving on with Inverness and playing at the highest level possible. Games like Saturday are the games you want to be involved in.

“I’ve fallen in love with Inverness but I want to playing at the highest level possible. I wish it was with Inverness, we’ve fallen short and I’m disappointed with that but I’ve got great memories. The amount of games I’ve played is exactly what I wanted when I joined.

“In the two seasons we’ve been 45 minutes away from Premiership football and then reaching a Scottish Cup final, if you’d said that would happen when I signed I might have struggled to believe it. I think the team and the club are more than capable next season.”