INVERNESS MANAGER ANGRY THAT TEENAGERS SUFFERED DEBUTS TO FORGET THROUGH LACK OF SUPPORT BY TEAM-MATES
Youngsters blameless for first-half collapse, says Butcher
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Inverness manager Terry Butcher fears his two teenagers who made their debuts on Saturday will be scarred by the first-half shambles against Partick.
The former Rangers and England captain had urged his men to give young Nick Ross and Graeme Shinnie league debuts to remember.
Ross, a 17-year-old right midfielder, and Shinnie, a full back who has just turned 18, both turned in individual performances full of promise and adventure.
But Butcher was angry that the more experienced players around them were found sorely wanting.
Saturday's defeat means Caley Thistle could now fall eight points off the First Division title pace next weekend while embroiled in derby action in the Challenge Cup.
The manager said: “Nick Ross and Graeme Shinnie came into the side and both did very well. Neither of them looked out of place at all.
“I asked the players to give them a debut to remember, because you always remember your debut, whether you win, lose or draw.
“But they'll now have that scar on their CV and in their minds for the rest of their lives, not just for this season.
“They lost on their debut and the manner of the defeat will stay with them. But those boys did nothing wrong – you can't blame them.
“It's the rest of the players I'm very angry with and disappointed in."
Caley Thistle looked comfortable in the opening half hour but the game was transformed in the final seven minutes of the first half.
After 38 minutes, the home defence could not clear a corner from the left and Liam Buchanan netted from close-in with a cheeky back-heel.
Having scored his seventh of the campaign, Buchanan then made it eight straight from the restart.
Inverness’ Russell Duncan was caught in two minds as he rose to meet a speculative long ball from deep right.
His skewed header fell to Buchanan who calmly lifted a shot over Ryan Esson's head from just inside the area.
Calamity struck again for Caley Thistle in first-half injury-time.
Brilliant Buchanan went past Grant Munro and Naurus Bulvitis at the edge of the box before laying the ball on for Alan Archibald to stroke past Esson with ease.
Esson had already spared Butcher’s men with one tip over the bar and did so twice again early in the second half.
First, he raced off his line to deny Simon Donnelly and then the former Don parried superbly at his near post from Chris Erskine.
Two minutes after the hour, there was a glimmer of hope for Caley Thistle as John Robertson felled Johnny Hayes in the box.
Newly on substitute Adam Rooney tucked away the penalty with ease.
The hosts persevered and suddenly the comeback was on after 76 minutes.
Skipper Munro's fine cross found Richie Foran who swivelled to direct a header past Jonny Tuffey from inside the six-yard box.
The home pressure was relentless in the last 15 minutes but Partick held on.
