Steven Hislop hopes a Caley Thistle boardroom signing might spark a chance for head coach Billy Dodds to bolster his injury-ravaged squad in the new year.
Former long-time vice-chairman, director of football and player Graeme Bennett was last week welcomed back on board as a director to offer his experience behind the scenes at the Caledonian Stadium.
Ex-Inverness striker Hislop, a key figure when ICT won promotion to the top-flight in 2003/04, knows Bennett and what his contacts and know-how might mean for the club.
Dodds’ side are having a mini-slide at the moment, but are only three points away from leaders Ayr United in a tightly-packed Championship.
Just two points split second-placed Morton from Partick Thistle in seventh. ICT are locked on 22 points with Morton, Raith Rovers and Dundee.
The Caley Jags have eight players sidelined through injury, with Robbie Deas, Tom Walsh and Shane Sutherland long-termers.
January funds will help Dodds out
Hislop, who is assistant manager at third-placed Lowland League promotion pushers Tranent, believes staying in the chase by hook or by crook will lead to Dodds calling for reinforcements for a title push.
He said: “Caley Thistle have never been the biggest payers. Other teams can fork out a wee bit extra and you know what to expect at Inverness.
“Hopefully, with Graeme Bennett coming back in at boardroom level, he brings that bit of experience and he might help get a few boys in to help the backing of the team.
“Stability off the park can often help bring stability on the park as well.
“If Caley Thistle are still in the mix come January, I’m sure Billy Dodds will be chapping the boardroom door to ask for a wee bit of money to push on.
“This is anybody’s league. There is no side, in my opinion, who will run away with this Championship. Everyone will be cutting one another’s throats from now until the end of the season.
“Maybe Graeme will help attract a wee bit extra money into the coffers and that can lead to improvements on the park to help the team in the long run.”
Warning over Murray’s goal threat
On Saturday, ICT travel to Ochilview in Stenhousemuir to tackle Owen Coyle’s Queen’s Park, who are only one point and one place below the Highlanders.
The game starts at 5.30pm due to East of Scotland side Syngenta playing Edinburgh United at 3pm.
Hislop believes his old club will have enough within the squad to post their first victory since winning 1-0 at Cove Rangers on October 15.
He said: “Queen’s Park will use the artificial surface to their advantage, although most teams train on astro throughout the week.
“In a game, anything can change in the blink of an eye, such as the bounce of the ball – there’s a difference between training and playing on it.
“A 5.30pm kick-off on a Saturday is something different and, if they get the win, it will a good journey back up the road.
“Owen is a good manager and aways has his teams well organised.
“Caley Thistle will aim to nullify the threat of Simon Murray if he’s playing, although they clearly have other dangerous players. Simon will cause them problems.
“Most people might expect Queen’s Park to win this one, so it’s almost a free hit for Inverness.
“Billy Dodds will have planned well and trained for this surface.
“To be honest, I fancy Caley Thistle this weekend.”
Fans need to rally around Inverness
Some of the Inverness supporters have been vocal about this dip in form, which followed a five-fixture winning surge.
Hislop hopes the fans rally round the injury-hit team and roar them on against the Spiders this weekend.
He added: “They are three points off the top and there’s everything still to play for.
“If Caley Thistle are in the top four around Christmas, they’re still in with a chance.
Ticket Info: ICTFC v Stirling Albion
Please note that ONLY the Main Stand will be in use for Home Supporters for this match
Tickets available to all Season Ticket Holders only until 12pm on Friday 11th November, when tickets will go on general sale
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“I appreciate they’re having a dip in form, but they’d rather have that happen now, then they can hopefully go on an unbeaten run in the second half of the season like when we won the league.
“This is just a wee rocky spell and fans will get a bit impatient – it’s important they stick with the team and give them full support on Saturday.”
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