Caley Thistle’s injured club captain Richie Foran says he has kept his distance from the team during its most successful season.
Inverness take on Falkirk in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden today looking to secure the first major silverware in the club’s 21-year existence.
This afternoon’s showpiece match comes at the end of a season in which Caley Jags have already created history by finishing third in the Premiership to qualify for Europe for the first time.
Foran has not kicked a ball this term, having been sidelined since a
2-1 away defeat against Dundee United in March 2014 with a knee injury which has required two operations.
The 34-year-old has been left frustrated by his absence throughout such a momentous campaign but says he has resisted the temptation to make his presence felt within the dressing room while the team has been so successful.
Foran said: “I’ve been included in all the cup final plans. We’ve been at our training camp since Wednesday and it’s been great. I feel part of it but obviously not as much as the lads who will be playing on Saturday or will be on the bench.
“It’s always been about the team, not about me. I’m a team player and the main thing is that the lads win. I’d say I’ve only had a small influence. When the lads are winning, I like to take a step out of the way and leave them to it.
“That’s happened a lot this season given we’ve won a lot of games.
“When the team has been on good runs, I’ve kept out of the way. I think that’s best. When we’ve lost one or two games in a row, I’ll step back in and try and help the lads at the training ground, to try and encourage them and give them a little boost. But, in general, I’ve taken a step back because winning takes care of itself.”
Foran has targeted a return to playing action in the early part of next season, although accepts he is likely to miss out on the early rounds of the club’s maiden European campaign.
The Irishman has praised his medical staff for the treatment he has received and says the team’s success during his absence has made the process of recovery far easier.
“I’m aiming to get back to training with the lads in July but the Europa League qualifiers will probably come too soon for me. I’ve had two knee operations – the first one not as successful as the second – but it’s good to be back.
“It feels natural not to be playing. I hurt a shoulder in December 2013 then came back in March 2014 but have been out with the knee injury since then.
“I’ve been out for 16 or 17 months but I’d like to think that I’m a good
patient and a low-main-
tenance player.
“There are people far worse off than me. I can’t complain as I’ve had the best surgeons, the best rehab and a club which has been terrific with me.
“The club has been successful while I’ve been off which has definitely helped. Had we been competing against relegation while I was sitting in the stands, I’d be beating myself up. But while we’ve been winning I’ve been fine.”