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Boss Billy Dodds calls on Caley Thistle to outgun Queen’s Park as rivals seek to tighten up

Inverness head coach Billy Dodds. Image: Craig Brown/SNS Group
Inverness head coach Billy Dodds. Image: Craig Brown/SNS Group

Billy Dodds predicts his Caley Thistle side and hosts Queen’s Park will aim to limit chances at the back as they chase three Championship points this Saturday.

Inverness head to Stenhousemuir’s Ochilview for a 5.30pm start against Owen Coyle’s Spiders, who are just one point below them.

On the opening day of the season, on July 30, newly-promoted Queens – who are waiting on Lesser Hampden to become their new home next year – earned a deserved 1-1 draw at the Caledonian Stadium.

Since then, they’ve continued to impress and been within touching distance of the top spot in a division where no side is running away with it. Ahead of kick-off, Queen’s are one point behind ICT around mid-table.

ICT head coach Dodds expects Queen’s to provide an attacking test, but believes that will open the door for the Highlanders as they hunt their first win in five fixtures.

He said: “A lot of people thought a 1-1 draw against Queen’s Park was a disappointing result, but their position now shows that was not such a bad point after all.

“Of course, I still wanted to win the game. We had chances to win it, but so did Queen’s Park.

“They are a team which creates chances – they are very good going forward – but, like us recently, they also concede a few goals.

“It will come down to who plays best and remains nice and solid defensively, and who takes their chances. They really have a go at you.”

Dodds fine with later kick-off time

East of Scotland League Second Division team Syngenta play Edinburgh City at Ochilview at 3pm on Saturday as the second in line after Stenny to use it.

ICT and Queens, with the nod from the SPFL, were allowed to opt for a 5.30pm start.

Dodds isn’t fazed by the slightly later kick-off time and explained helping their opponents was the right thing to do.

He said: “I haven’t had a 5.30pm before which is a strange one. But you have to get on with it.

“We have come to an agreement with Queen’s Park and I would like to think if we needed a helping hand, teams can work together in any league. That is the way that it should be.

“I look forward to the game even though it is 5.30pm. Just means another couple of hours.”

Defender Matthew Strachan, aged 17, has impressed Caley Jags boss Billy Dodds this year. Image: Paul Devlin/SNS Group

ICT youngsters ‘won’t let side down’

With eight first-team players out, Dodds expects to name the same pool of players who drew 1-1 with Arbroath a week ago.

The injury crisis had meant young lads like Matthew Strachan, Calum MacKay and Keith Bray have featured recently.

Dodds admits he’s being careful when to pitch the starlets into the heat of battle with so much at stake.

He added: “I’ve not had to use the young players too often. Matthew Strachan has come on a couple of times and done well. He probably saved us two points against Raith Rovers with a saving tackle at the back post.

“Sometimes, needs must and that’s where we’re at right now. The youngsters won’t let us down, I’m sure of that.”

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