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Duncan Shearer: Billy Dodds is right – Caley Thistle players need to rediscover their spark

Wallace Duffy celebrates with Danny Devine after scoring for ICT. Images: Mark Scates/SNS Group
Wallace Duffy celebrates with Danny Devine after scoring for ICT. Images: Mark Scates/SNS Group

The Caley Thistle players need to stop feeling sorry for themselves and get their act together.

Inverness boss Billy Dodds was uncharacteristically critical of his side following their 3-2 win against Stirling Albion in Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie.

It’s not like Billy to be like that, but his comments were justified on this occasion.

To be blunt, about half a dozen of the starting 11 against Darren Young’s side were miles off it.

There’s been a lot said about the number of injuries at the club and, while there’s no disputing the fact some first team regulars are on the sidelines just now, it should not be an excuse for those who are available.

Some will be playing through their own niggles and feeling the pace, but I’ve been in that position myself before and you just have to get on with it.

Show your manager you’re got the desire to tough it out in the club’s time of need.

I’m sorry to say I didn’t see an awful lot of that at Caledonian Stadium at the weekend.

Dale Carrick and Kai Fotheringham were outstanding and they caused the Caley Jags defence all sorts of problems as the Binos threatened to cause a big cup upset.

Inverness, in comparison, lacked tempo to their play and looked devoid of ideas at times.

Doran delivers on 350th appearance

One player who did look up for it was Aaron Doran and I was delighted to see him cap his 350th appearance for the club by scoring the winning goal.

Aaron has been a terrific servant for Inverness and had it not been for some injury problems he would be well past the 400 mark by now.

He showed he is as good as he has ever been with a fine individual display, but he cannot do it by himself – he needs a bit of help around him if Caley Jags are to get their season going again.

Aaron Doran celebrates after scoring Caley Thistle’s winner against Stirling Albion. Images: Mark Scates/SNS Group

All the plaudits went to Stirling Albion and rightfully so, but they will wonder what might have been.

For Inverness, they are through to the fourth round of the cup and ultimately that’s all that matters, but they need to find a spark to get going in the league again.

Dundee are the visitors to Caledonian Stadium in the Championship this weekend and it’s a huge game for the club as they bid to get back in the title picture at the top of the division.

The Dark Blues are up to third in the division and are just one point off the top, but more importantly they head to Inverness with a five-point lead on Doddsy’s side.

This is a game Caley Thistle really need to take all three points from.

Beale an interesting choice for Rangers hotseat

It would have been easy for Rangers to go for a big name appointment to replace Gio van Bronckhorst, but the deal has been done for Michael Beale to take charge at Ibrox.

The Queens Park Rangers boss has returned to Glasgow as manager after the Light Blues made their move for him over the weekend and I’m intrigued to see how he gets on back in Scottish football.

He was viewed as a key member of Steven Gerrard’s backroom staff in his first spell at Ibrox and to Rangers fans questioning whether he fits the bill, I say give the man a chance.

QPR boss Michael Beale is closing in on a return to Rangers. Image: PA.

It’s a similar situation to Graham Potter at Chelsea – we’ve seen one high-profile manager after another at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have gone for a different approach in bringing in Potter from Brighton and Hove Albion.

As with any appointment it’s important you give a new man time to get his ideas across and that applies even at a club like Rangers.

The one advantage Beale has is he knows the size of the club and what the expectations are.

It’s a pressure cooker job where second is failure, but I have no doubt he will go in there with his eyes wide open.

He has only been a manager for six months at QPR, but clearly his attributes have caught the eye of the Rangers board from his first spell at the club and I wouldn’t pay too much heed to his lack of managerial experience.

The same argument could have been made when Walter Smith stepped up to replace Graeme Souness in 1991 – and he turned out to be a fantastic appointment and a man who is regarded as a club legend today.

Hall of Fame induction a night to remember

My Aberdeen Hall of Fame induction was everything I hoped it would be and more.

I couldn’t believe Aberdeen had sold out the Chester Hotel on a Wednesday night and it was humbling to see so many people there for the class of 2022’s induction.

I took time to look at the names in the hall of fame and to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the guys who are in there is a special feeling.

My Dons career only lasted five years, but I’ve said before it was the best five years of my career and it’s a massive honour to be included.

I was so chuffed to be inducted and even happier that my wife was able to come with me.

It’s an occasion I won’t forget in a hurry, that’s for sure.

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