Caley Thistle midfielder Iain Vigurs says a pep-talk from Richie Foran inspired him to the first hat-trick of his career and he is going to do everything he can to avoid another dressing-down from his manager.
Foran took Vigurs aside before Tuesday’s Betfred Cup encounter against Dunfermline and demanded an improved performance from the 28-year-old after a below-par showing in last weekend’s penalty shootout defeat by Dundee United.
The tete-a-tete did the trick, with Vigurs netting three times as Inverness stormed to a 5-1 win that kept their hopes of advancing from their Betfred Cup group on track.
Vigurs said: “I’m not sure if I want another pep-talk before our next game because he scares me. He told me I was due him a performance.
“I was delighted to get the hat-trick after he said that because I wasn’t happy with my performance against Dundee United.
“I was much happier with how I played against Dunfermline, although parts of my game were sloppy at times.
“It has been really positive since Richie became the manager. He has brought in some great players and the two wide midfielders, Jake Mulraney and Billy King, have been outstanding.
“Jake is lightning quick and Billy’s ball control is brilliant.
“The other new signings have also fitted in great. Scott Boden has excellent movement which helps create chances for players like myself, while Kevin McNaughton’s experience at the back has shone through in his opening games.”
Vigurs, who netted eight goals in 36 appearances last term, was pleased to play a pivotal part in helping Caley Thistle score five times in a competitive match for the first time since 2011 when Andrew Shinnie netted a treble in a 6-3 win at Kilmarnock.
Vigurs said: “That was my first hat-trick as a professional – I think the last one I scored was while I was at primary school. It was a great night for me. personally.
“We expected a tough match against Dunfermline and we got that, especially in the first half. They came at us in the first 15 minutes.
“We were possibly fortunate not to be behind but we scored at good times and then kicked on in the second half.
“We have to take that into this weekend’s match against Arbroath.
“I watched their match against Dundee United when they took them to penalties and they looked good, so we are expecting a difficult match.”