Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran has challenged his players to deliver the club’s most important result of the season against Highland rivals Ross County today.
Inverness have the opportunity to move off the bottom of the Premiership if they defeat the Staggies and Hamilton Accies lose against Rangers at Ibrox today, which would also see Caley Jags move to within a point of the Dingwall men.
Caley Thistle have lost both derby games 3-2 this season and Foran says his players owe it to the supporters to atone as he searches for his first win against County since taking over as Inverness manager from John Hughes last summer.
He said: “This means everything, particularly to the supporters. This is the main game of the season for them. This is the game they want to win.
“We could nearly lose every game all season but as long as we beat Ross County three or four times a lot of the supporters will be happy.
“They’re very passionate about this game and we’ve got to be the same. We have to match Ross County’s passion, fight – and more.
“These derbies are a bit special. If you watch the Old Firm, the Edinburgh derby and the Dundee derby – there are tackles flying in, the crowd and the managers are up for it. Everyone is up for it. The passion is there to be seen after the first whistle.
“We need to see that a bit more from my boys. I’m not speaking about Ross County – they’re probably happy with that. But I’m not happy with that from my team over the last couple of games we’ve played against them.”
Caley Jags’ only league defeat from their last five matches was a 4-0 loss to runaway leaders Celtic and, although his side has shown the better form recently, Foran expects a tight encounter.
Foran, who rates midfielder Jake Mulraney’s chances of being fit as 50-50 following a hamstring injury, said: “We’re on a fine run of form, taking Celtic out of it. We’re looking more solid, better defensively.
“Ross County were beaten by Kilmarnock on Saturday but played quite well. There’s been little between the teams, so we’re in for an exciting game of football.
“Whoever gets the three points, it is going to be huge for them. There’s a great incentive for us to get off the bottom of the table and go a point behind Ross County.”
