Butcher hopes Caley Thistle’s rollercoaster run is over

Goals from Sanchez and Odhiambo give Inverness side confidence boost

By Paul Third

Published:

Caley Thistle's inconsistent form this season has left manager Terry Butcher reeling and he hopes a more stable run lies ahead for his club.

Goals from Danni Sanchez and Eric Odhiambo gave Caley Jags their second consecutive home win of the campaign and Butcher was relieved to see his players put their poor display in the Highland derby defeat by Ross County behind them with a comfortable SFL victory against Airdrie United on Saturday.

Butcher said: “It was very pleasing to get a couple of goals, three points and to keep a clean sheet. I am disappointed we didn't score more goals but, for certain periods, we dominated.

“The longer it stayed 1-0 the more I feared Airdie might nick one, so it was very nice to see Eric Odhiambo score. He has worked hard to get himself fit again but the team has been winning, so it has been tough for him.

“I know what he is like but he has suffered from niggling injuries in his time here. People have not seen the best of him, but they will as he gets fitter and sharper, and he has given me a problem ahead of next week's game.

“I did consider making changes after the Ross County game, but I thought the players deserved the chance to redeem themselves. We have been losing and bouncing back all season, and it has been a rollercoaster from hell.

“I hope this is the start of a consistent run from us now as we have the Challenge Cup final to look forward to. It was important we were able to do that on the back of a win which is why this result was so important.”

The visitors had goalkeeper Stephen Robertson to thank for keeping them in the game as he made a series of saves to deny Richie Foran, Dougie Imrie and Nauris Bulvitis, but Airdrie United's resistance was broken in the final minute of the first half when Sanchez ran on to Imrie's pass before rolling the ball through Robertson's legs to give Inverness the lead.

The goal came at a crucial time for Butcher's players who lost the initiative after failing to make the most of their possession in a lacklustre opening 45 minutes.

Inverness regained their tempo for the second half and Foran wasted a great chance to double the lead when he missed the target with a free header from four yards, but substitute Odhiambo put the game beyond the visitors in the 67th minute. Rooney challenged for a long ball into the Airdrie box and it fell kindly for Odhiambo who beat Roberton with a terrific left foot volley from 16 yards.

The result leaves Airdrie United adrift at the bottom of the First Division and manager Kenny Black admitted the Diamonds' display at Caledonian Stadium was well below his expectations.

He said: “We had seven or eight players who didn't come anywhere near what they are capable of. When you have one or two not contributing you can maybe get by. The players not only let themselves down, they let the 100 or so Airdrie United supporters who made the trip to Inverness down.

“We have got to pick ourselves up for what is a massive game against Morton next week.”