Billy Dodds insists there’s no lack of spirit within his injured Caley Thistle ranks – as matching Championship leaders Ayr United proved.
Inverness have now gone six successive games without a win – with a mixture of three draws and three defeats – as they sit six points poorer than the division’s pace-setters.
However, with nine key men sidelined through injury and skipper Sean Welsh and Danny Devine playing through the pain at the weekend, the ICT head coach has plenty to be encouraged about.
Winger Nathan Shaw scored first and last in a rollercoaster contest in the Highlands as the hosts refused to be beaten in a 2-2 draw.
Nathan Shaw bagging a late equaliser for the Caley Jags 👏#cinchChamp | @ICTFC pic.twitter.com/0DnuSuSE75
— SPFL (@spfl) November 21, 2022
Five sides are above them in a packed Championship, but the gutsy point keeps them to within two points of Lee Bullen’s Honest Men.
Dodds felt team deserved victory
Dodds, who was battling a sore throat at the end of last week, believes the manner of the performance in the 2-2 draw with Ayr underlined the fighting spirit within the walls of the Caledonian Stadium.
He said: “With everything that has happened over the past two months, it has been an emotional roller-coaster.
“That was the way the game went and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt we should have taken more from it.
“But we showed spirit to come back from 2-1 down, it was amazing, incredible. I am delighted for the boys.
“The spirit is there; I’ve said that all along. So, while I was thrilled by the late comeback, I felt we deserved more.
“People might say (injuries) are an excuse, but they are not excuses.
“I would accept when you put a squad together, you might get two or three long-term injuries.
“But I’ve got eight, nine, 10, so we have got to dig in right now.
“I think everyone connected with this club on Saturday that these boys have some spirit behind them – I’m absolutely thrilled for them.”
‘Collective effort’ helped secure draw
Shaw, a 21-year-old capture from AFC Fylde in National League North, is lighting up Inverness, with his coolly-taken goals lifting him on to five for the season.
Dodds acknowledged the strikes, but stressed the overall teamwork to earn the draw.
He said: “I was delighted for Nathan, who scored two terrific goals, but it was a real collective effort. The players were firing into tackles and we controlled long spells of the game.
“If we had gone 2-0 up, I would have fancied us to win it, but Ayr are where they are in this league because they deserve it. You could see where their confidence and momentum is.
“We’ve taken a point against the team leading the table so far – yet I thought we probably deserved three.”
Gearing up for Binos’ showdown
The focus for Inverness now turns squarely to round three of the Scottish Cup and a home meeting with League Two promotion-chasers Stirling Albion.
The Binos beat ICT on penalties in last season’s Betfred Cup group stages and go into the weekend on the back of a 3-1 league win against East Fife.
Dodds will manage his players carefully in the coming days as they aim to be as sharp as they can be for this potentially tricky tie.
He added: “I’m letting a few players manage their bodies until Thursday and see how we go.
🏆 We're in Scottish Cup action this weekend as we face Stirling Albion
🎟️ Tickets available now from https://t.co/6z5nBM5y24, the Club Shop and on 01463 222880
ℹ️ Supporters should note that ONLY the Main Stand will be in use for home fans
👉 https://t.co/0NDBjuvPP2 pic.twitter.com/eMZkRLvTCq
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) November 21, 2022
“A few of them got through the Ayr game, they are fit boys, and we’re looking forward to the Stirling Albion tie.
“All you can hope for is a home tie, and that’s what we’ve got. Every club needs a good cup run.”
Caley Thistle return to league business a week on Saturday when they host a Dundee side who are only one point off the summit after three successive victories.
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