Head coach Billy Dodds believes some stinging criticism perhaps fired up Caley Thistle as they earned an impressive 2-2 draw with Championship leaders Ayr United.
Inverness secured a share of the spoils when Nathan Shaw got his second of the day after goals from Mark McKenzie and 14-goal Dipo Akinyemi threatened to win it for the visitors.
Home boss Dodds, when asked about some fan unease ahead of now six games without a win, was quick to respond as they sit six points off top spot.
He said: “There is always fire in my belly. For the players, there was maybe a bit of it down to criticism. We heard it from fans last week and it fired a few up.
“We always have the determination. Sometimes with the injuries and the goals were are losing you lose a bit of confidence. We were a bit fragile even with the second goal.
“We realised it was an important game. We maybe felt we would show a few people.”
The ICT manager confirmed the SPFL refused their request to take loan players back from Highland League clubs amid their injury crisis, with eight players still unavailable.
He added: So the young boys have to go on the bench. That can’t be good for your health, mentality, Scottish football. It’s pretty embarrassing to be honest.”
Overall, Dodds praised his men for striking back when Ayr got their noses in front.
He added: “The performance, quality and two goals were excellent. I thought we could have got more out of it.
“Ayr are where they are with momentum and confidence – when they got their chances, they stuck them away.
“We had to show some spirit to come back from 2-1 down when we’re missing a full team. We have to get on with it.”
Ayr United manager Lee Bullen, meanwhile, was frustrated not to have seen his team get over the line for the win as they seen their gap trimmed to one point by Morton and Dundee,
He said: “I think there were spells in that game both Billy and I could have felt we weren’t going to get anything out of it.
“We should have been a goal up in two minutes when Sam had a good chance.
“For the next 10 minutes we were floundering, trying to find a way into the game, but began to find our way after 10 or 15 minutes.
“The second half was much better and we were far more imposing.
“We controlled more of the game and seemed to be on the front foot, then we get our goals.
“When you go 2-1 up with six or seven minutes to go it is always frustrating not to get the win, but it would have been harsh on Inverness.
“It was certainly frustrating, though.”
These sides now turn switch their focus to the third round of the Scottish Cup, with ICT hosts League Two Stirling Albion next Saturday and Ayr at home to Pollock two nights later.
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