Mark Ridgers will have a different approach to that of his last play-off experience as he clings on to hope that Caley Thistle can receive a favour from Dumbarton today.
Inverness still have an outside chance of reaching the promotion play-offs but need to win at Morton today and hope second-bottom Sons can defeat Dunfermline at East End Park.
Ridgers’ only previous experience of a play-off situation came during a brief stint in America playing for Orlando City B in 2016 when Orlando held their nerve to clinch their spot before missing out on promotion at the final hurdle.
The tables have turned as Ridgers is now aiming to capitalise on a slip-up this time around but the former Hearts and Ross County goalkeeper insists his team-mates can only concentrate on doing their own job at Cappielow and hope to pile the pressure on the Pars.
Ridgers said: “I have never been involved in a situation where I had to rely on another team winning.
“However, when I was in the US with Orlando City B we had to win our last match of the regular season to get into the play-offs.
“It was away to Bethlehem Steel and we managed to get the victory that gave us the last spot in the play-offs. We lost to New York Red Bulls II, who went on to win it.
“I suppose that’s similar to Dunfermline going into this final although they only need a point against Dumbarton, who are getting themselves ready for the Championship play-offs.
“The longer the game stays at 0-0 the more the pressure will build.
“The Dumbarton boys are professional players and they’re not going to lie down.
“We just have to be professional and if we can get a result and keep a clean sheet against Morton, then it will be a great end to the season and set us up for the next one.
“I’m sure the fans will keep us up to date with what’s happening at Dunfermline but we just have to go out and do our job and see what happens.”
Inverness go into today’s match in excellent form having clocked up an unbeaten run of six wins from their last seven matches.
But for Dunfermline attacker Nicky Clark’s 95th-minute equaliser in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Caledonian Stadium, Caley Jags’ fate would be in their own hands this afternoon but Ridgers remains proud of the momentum his side have gained.
The 27-year-old added: “Last Saturday was a big disappointment and we had to get over that quickly.
“We did that at Livingston and now all we can do is win this weekend and see what happens because it’s out of our hands.”