Caley Thistle defender Riccardo Calder says every player in the squad has a crucial role to play in the Highlanders’ late push for a promotion play-off place.
Inverness’ run of five straight victories has revived their hopes of winning back promotion to the top-flight at the first time of asking, with John Robertson’s men able to make sure of a top-four place by winning all three of their remaining fixtures.
The first of those comes in a vital Caledonian Stadium encounter tomorrow when Inverness host Dunfermline, who are five points ahead in fourth place.
Caley Jags will have played 12 games in 36 days by the time their campaign ends at Morton next Saturday, with Robertson shuffling his squad during the busy schedule. Further changes will be required this weekend, with midfielder Iain Vigurs sitting out the next two matches through suspension, while skipper Gary Warren is doubtful with a calf injury.
Calder has been in and out of the side this season but has made a claim for more regular inclusion by impressing from the start in both games against Dumbarton, and the Englishman is determined to make an impact at the business end of the campaign.
He said: “The manager has always told me to be ready. That’s what I have learnt to do.
“Maybe earlier on in my career I used to be a bit on and off, but now I have just learnt to get on with it and do whatever I can do to help the team get the three points.
“We beat Dumbarton 5-1 on Saturday so if you are winning every game, you can’t complain. Whatever subs come on are happy to come on. As long as we keep winning, everyone is happy.
“It’s a new team so it started off a bit slow, but we have done quite a lot of stuff together outside of the club and get together as a team.
“We have built a good atmosphere around the club, we are winning games and everyone is getting involved. Everyone is happy and playing their part in it.
“When boys are getting injured, lads are stepping in and showing what they can do.
“It’s good all-round for the team and it’s going well for us at the minute.”
Calder insists Caley Jags’ recent run has fueled the squad’s belief they can reach the play-offs despite a poor start to the campaign, with the former Aston Villa player adding: “If we look back to the start of this season when we last played at Dumbarton and where we were in the table after the 2-1 defeat, it looked unreal we could get back up here.
“The boys have stuck at it, worked hard and believed in ourselves and it shows. We can still make the play-offs, so hopefully we can do it.”
Calder has called on the support of the Inverness fans against Dunfermline as his side aims to set up an exciting final week, with games against Livingston and Morton to follow, and the 22-year-old added: “It’s a good one to try and give the fans something back. Hopefully we can get a good turnout and everyone can come and support us because we are going to need it.”
