Caley Thistle are off the mark in the Scottish Premiership after their first league win of the season but midfielder Ross Draper warned there is still much work to be done.
Richie Foran celebrated his first league win as manager when Josh Meekings scored a late winner against St Johnstone in the 2-1 victory at Caledonian Stadium, but Inverness remain bottom of the division.
Draper, who scored the opening goal, said: “The win takes a bit of pressure off but we’re only four games into the season. There was a monkey on our backs about not having any points and, while it’s good to get a win, we are still bottom of the league and there is a lot of work to be done.
“We’ve got two big games coming up after the break and there will be a lot of work done before those games.”
Draper’s goal was his fourth of the campaign and the third league match is succession in which he has scored.
It represents a rapid turnaround for the Englishman, who found himself on the bench at the start of the campaign, but he insists his manager’s decision to take him out the team was the right one.
He said: “I wasn’t in the team and I take responsibility for that. I wasn’t up to scratch quick enough to get ready for the cup games. The manager brought me back in and I feel I’ve done all right to merit a starting place.
“No one’s place is guaranteed and a bad performance can mean you are out of the team. There is pressure on us all to play well as there are players waiting to take our place if we don’t.
“I’ve needed to add goals to my game and I’m pleased to get another goal but, more importantly, the last-minute goal is a big relief and boost to the players.”
Foran’s relief at full time was clear for all to see and Draper was pleased to have lifted the spirits of his manager.
He said: “He has learned from his managers that sometimes if you come in shouting and bawling players switch off. Sometimes getting your point across calmly can give the players a better chance of taking it on board.
“He knows no one deliberately plays badly. He is doing a good job and the players know that which is why this is a good three points to kickstart his career.”
