Duncan Ferguson won a nerve-shredding last-day relegation fight when he was Everton captain. Now, as the Caley Thistle boss, he wants Scottish Championship safety to be secured – preferably without any last-day drama.
In 1998, the Toffees clung on to their English Premier League status when a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry City edged them out of the drop zone on goal difference.
Dion Dublin’s late goal for Coventry at Goodison that overcast May afternoon had Everton fans fearing the worst after Gareth Farrelly’s early opener put the home side on course for victory.
In the end, Bolton – who lost 2-0 at Chelsea – went down, and Everton survived.
This Saturday, Inverness can make a move out of the Championship’s relegation play-off place by climbing above Queen’s Park, should they defeat the Spiders at Hampden.
Last week’s vital 2-1 victory over Arbroath hauled the Highlanders to within one point of their nearest rivals, with Scott Brown’s Ayr United three points further ahead and also not yet out of the relegation mix.
🔜 Hampden calls again this Saturday as we face Queen's Park
Ticket & Supporters Bus Info: https://t.co/m85rT92jnK
Come On ICTFC! 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/BUGHaBbeqa
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) April 11, 2024
Players must handle the pressure
Survival remains in ICT’s own hands and Ferguson preached calmness to his group to ensure they don’t drop more than a win behind Queen’s with just three matches left after this one.
He said: “I’d prefer we never had this pressure. But I enjoy the challenge.
“I captained Everton through a relegation battle – it went to the final game of the season.
“There is a lot of pressure when you play in a game like I did that day for Everton.
“There was the history of Everton having been in the league forever, so there was a lot of pressure on me, but you just have to cope with it. That’s the job.
“It’s not quite the end of the season for us now and we know we can go above Queen’s Park.
“Our goal difference is also better than their goal difference, so that is like an extra point with three games left after the weekend.
“The players have to train well and keep focused.
“You have to stay calm when the game starts. We don’t want any red cards or anything.
“Everyone has to stay on the pitch. We must stick to the game-plan and go for it.”
‘Mountain to climb’ if ICT are beaten at Queen’s
Last week, Queen’s Park lost 5-0 against now red-hot title favourites Dundee United.
However, having watched that game, Ferguson isn’t expecting anything other than a strong response from the Glasgow side.
He said: “There will definitely be a reaction from Queen’s Park, who are fighting for their lives as well.
“They have come off the back of a bit of a doing by Dundee United, even though it was only 1-0 at half-time and there were a few set-plays and a bizarre goal thrown in there.
“The scoreline was not a reflection of the match, which I have watched back.
“They know how big a game it is. They will go four points ahead of us if they win with three games to go – that would be a mountain for us to catch them, so we must pick up points.”
On their previous visit to Hampden, in December, ICT ran out – which led to the departure of Robin Veldman as Queen’s boss, with ex-St Johnstone double-cup-winning gaffer Callum Davidson replacing him.
Injuries take toll on Caley Thistle – Ferguson
Defender Remi Savage will miss out on Saturday due to a delayed concussion call from ICT’s medical staff, while on-loan Wigan Athletic centre-half James Carragher is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Ferguson feels his luck has been out this year, with two winter window signings no longer at the club due to injuries.
He added: “These things happen and that’s why you have a deep squad.
“We have been really unlucky with injuries, with Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and Sean McAllister having to return to Leeds and Everton, while we now have Remi Savage and James Carragher out, too.
“(That’s) four of the players I brought in and are in my team. It is frustrating, but I have other good players who have got to step up.
“It has been a horrendous run of injuries, which I feel has knocked us back. If those players were available, we’d be a different team.”
ICT’s closing three league games are against Raith Rovers next Friday (home), Dunfermline Athletic on April 27, and Morton on Friday, May 5.
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