Caley Thistle head coach Billy Dodds is confident his players can once more go toe-to-toe with Championship favourites Kilmarnock as they target a third straight win over them this season.
New Killie boss Derek McInnes will no doubt have his side, bolstered by arrivals like Daniel Mackay on loan from Hibs and returning striker Kyle Lafferty, ready for the Highlanders at Rugby Park.
ICT, who are three points behind leaders Arbroath, are one point ahead of their hosts, having played one match more than them.
Accrington Stanlet striker Joe Hardy has joined ICT until the end of the season.The run of just one loss in eight league games is dented by four successive draws, including against Dunfermline in Fife last week.
Guts and determination can win it
However, Inverness have lost just once away from in the league this season (against Hamilton) and Dodds backs his players to once more take their top game in against Killie.
He said: “If we are at it, we have an almighty chance of getting a result and that is what brought us the two wins over Kilmarnock.
“A bit of technical ability and brilliant goal from Michael Gardyne and then a brilliant goal from Sean Welsh. But it was also so much guts and determination and handling one-to-one situation in the game.
“The one thing about games against Kilmarnock is having a big intensity about them. That will be the case on Saturday again and we will be ready for it.”
High intensity can bring rewards
Dodds stressed the importance of working and matching Killie all the way for as much of the match as they can.
In that respect, the change of manager at Rugby Park doesn’t change ICT’s outlook.
Dodds said: “Everybody has their own ideas. Tommy Wright had them well organised and we had to work hard in every department and took our chance, as we saw in the first game down there.
“In the second game against them, we were at it for the full 90 minutes. Maybe that’s what’s been missing in some games. We had 45 against Dunfermline and 60 minutes of it against Queen of the South. Can we get back to even an 80-minute spell?
“Can we get our percentages right within games? I’d love to get back to that and that’s what will bring us the surge to show we’re back at it. We’re capable of going on a run.”
Fresh shot for Killie under McInnes
One note of caution though is that those victories against Killie, Dodds feels, won’t matter as much now McInnes is in charge.
He said: “Derek will say the line has been drawn and I know they have beaten you twice. He will say his team is in a better place and have a chance if they play well.
“But we have shown we are a good team but have to be at it for 90 minutes against Kilmarnock. That is what brought us victory against them and that is what we hope for on Saturday.”
Dodds – Win would kick Inverness on
If Inverness head back up the road on the back of a win at Rugby Park, Dodds thinks the win, which he feels is long overdue, could be a massive result in their bid for the title.
He added: “We’ve been close to getting wins and we just need a wee boost. It’s not like we’re not playing well or not having parts of games because we’re looking good.
“It would be great to get three points on the board because I really think it will kick us on.
“There is no better place than going to Killie and doing it. A win for either side puts them in a really good place. For us, it would give us a massive nudge in the right direction.
“We’re close and a win would take us in the right direction. Draws are dropping points, but the players are working hard. We just need that extra bit of guile and if we get a win, I think we’ll surge up.”
No 0-0s in ICT v Killie league games
Over all 44 league games between Kilmarnock and Inverness, there has never been a scoreless draw and Dodds is eager to see that continue, as long as it’s in their favour.
He said: “I’ll take any win, we know how hard we have to work and take the chances come our way, the intensity Kilmarnock will bring and big crowd.
📰 There's never been a 0-0 in 44 league meetings between Killie and Inverness CT
Be part of Derek McInnes' Blue and White Army for edition 45
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— Kilmarnock FC (@KilmarnockFC) January 25, 2022
“We need to slug with them go toe-to-toe and that is what I will be demanding and know what we are capable of.”
Better news for midfielder Allardice
Last week, Dodds confirmed midfielder Scott Allardice would be out for months with a knee injury.
He will still be out for a while, but the good news is he won’t need to go under the knife.
Dodds said: “We thought Scott might have needed an operation that might not be the case, I am still positive, he will be out long term, but it is positive.”
Danny Devine, Aaron Doran and Roddy MacGregor are all sidelined through injuries, while striker Billy Mckay is touch and go for Rugby Park.
- Caley Thistle’s away league match against Partick Thistle has been brought forward by one day to Friday, March 4, with a 7.45pm kick-off due to it being screened live on BBC Scotland.