Billy Dodds insists World Cup shocks are a sharp reminder why Caley Thistle will not take Stirling Albion for granted in the Scottish Cup this weekend.
Former Aberdeen skipper Darren Young takes his in-form League Two Binos to Inverness for the third-round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday to tackle Dodds’ off-colour Championship hosts.
ICT have not won in six games, while Stirling are second in their division, with just one defeat in 10 outings.
Stirling, who beat Caley Thistle on penalties in last season’s Betfred Cup, will fancy their chances of causing an upset against Inverness, who are six points behind Championship pace-setters Ayr United.
The Qatar World Cup’s opening week has seen Saudia Arabia beat Argentina 2-1 and Japan defeat Germany by the same scoreline in the two headline-grabbing results so far.
While the Scottish Cup is a few rungs below the global prize at stake, Inverness head coach Dodds pointed out the danger which lies in store for cup-tie favourites on any given day.
He said: “I have been watching plenty of the World Cup.
“The World Cup already typifies cup competition. We have seen a couple of shocks already and that’s what you have to be wary of in cups.
“We have got a tricky tie against Stirling Albion and we don’t want any of that.
“The World Cup so far has been really good. A few shocks always helps and there have been plenty of good games.
“It’s nice to see all the world’s elite players coming together, putting on a show and scoring some top goals.
“It has had a bit of everything so far and I’m sure that will continue.”
Stirling Albion have quality – Dodds
Caley Thistle still have eight senior players unavailable through injury, although defender Danny Devine made a welcome return ahead of schedule last week as he played through the pain in the 2-2 league draw with Ayr United.
Stirling are just three points off the top of the League Two table and Dodds is on red-alert ahead of this third-round showdown.
He said: “You don’t get where they are in League Two and win so many games without having a bit of quality, and they will have confidence on top of that.
“Stirling are a really good team. I looked at them a few times and watched a few of their games and you can see why they are where they are.
“This is a tough opponent, but we are at home and we’d love to get through and see who we get.”
Cash at stake with cup progression
Dodds knows cup progression would not only offer the chance of a tie against a top club, but it would bring in welcome cash at Inverness.
He added: “Cup runs are so important to this club. Yes, as a team, we want to go as far as we can, but as a club – financially – it would be great to get through a few rounds and get some finances in.
“That’s what every Championship club and those in the leagues below will be looking to do. We’re no different.”
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