Triple-award winner Reece McAlear insists Caley Thistle are shelving any thoughts of six potential games on the way to Premiership promotion.
The on-loan Norwich City starlet is looking no further than Tuesday’s showdown at Partick Thistle.
Whichever side emerges overall from the two-legged play-off, with the second leg on Friday night in Inverness, will have to beat Championship runners-up Arbroath over two matches.
The victor will then face a further 180 minutes at least against the Premiership’s 11th-placed finishers, who are currently St Johnstone.
No team in Partick or ICT’s position has ever successfully come through such a punishing schedule.
However, McAlear knows the possibility of six May matches only remains relevant if they can dump Partick over Tuesday and Friday.
Full focus on Firhill, says McAlear
McAlear, who won Inverness’ young players’ awards for the season, as well as goal of the season for his wonderful strike against Dunfermline Athletic in March, is focused fully on Firhill.
🚨 GOAL OF THE SEASON CONTENDER 🚨
🚀 What a strike from Reece McAlear yesterday against Dunfermline! pic.twitter.com/s8mt8lSONo
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) March 27, 2022
He said: “Everybody knows it is going to be tough, but it isn’t six games just now, it’s one game.
“We take it game by game. It starts on Tuesday and we’ll need everybody.
“Everybody is feeling good. Everybody trained on Monday and we’re good to go.
“We need everybody. If one gets injured, the other player has to be ready to come in.
“But I’m sure everybody is ready. We’re raring to go and we just can’t wait.”
Partick will be tough opponents
The head-to-heads against Partick are level this season, although third-placed ICT finished seven points ahead of their Glasgow hosts.
McAlear, 20, who will only look at his own future after these play-offs, is ready for two testing encounters.
He said: “We’ve played Partick Thistle four times this season and they have been close games between us.
“Earlier in the season, down at their place, we battered them all over the pitch, but couldn’t score (in a 0-0 draw).
“There have been draws and they won recently against us, but anything can happen in the play-offs. We’re all buzzing for the match and hopefully we can win.”
Team-mates helped with awards wins
Inverness have won six of their last eight games, including a terrific 4-0 home win against Hamilton on Friday, while a below-par Partick side lost 3-1 at Ayr.
Afterwards, McAlear won two prizes, one voted on by fans, the other selected by his team-mates, as well as winning the best goal honour.
He was proud to have walked away with three awards, but was quick to praise everyone for making it happen.
He added: “It’s nice to be voted young player of the year and goal of the season.
“It is not just an individual award for me – everybody has played a part and helped me get the rewards.
“The fans vote on what they see on the pitch, while the players see you off the pitch as well.
“I’m grateful to both. I just hope the fans keep supporting us through the rest of the season.”
Loan spell has worked for McAlear
McAlear has chipped in with four goals this term and he’s in no doubt, whatever happens this summer, he’s a better player for the experience in the Highlands.
He said: “I’d like to say the loan spell has helped me add goals to my game, some decent goals.
“I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and get better, scoring and assisting and, hopefully, keeping on helping the team.”