Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran has called for a squad effort as he demands his substitutes follow attacker Alex Fisher’s example by making their mark from the bench.
Fisher headed a late equaliser in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Celtic just eight minutes after replacing Frenchman Lonsana Doumbouya, securing his side a point against the league leaders at Caledonian Stadium.
The 26-year-old has been vying for an attacking berth with Doumbouya and Scott Boden this season, with each taking turns to lead the line.
Foran has called for his substitutes to take their opportunity to show why they deserve a place in his starting 11 as he ponders his selection for tomorrow’s Premiership match against Dundee.
Foran said: “I just have to look at the quality of players we’re bringing off the bench now, they’re coming on and changing games. Alex only had six or seven minutes against Celtic but we believed he could score a goal. Players are looking over their shoulder every day in training, that’s why the tempo is up.
“We need a full squad – we can’t have 11 or 12. We need our 18 or 19 players who can come in and play every week who won’t let us down.
“I won’t be lying to anyone. I’m looking at everyone in training and I still haven’t got my team picked for Saturday. I want players to stand out and impress me – if I see them doing it during the week they’ve got a great chance to do it on a Saturday. Just because we’re on a good run doesn’t mean I won’t change the team.”
Fisher, who joined Caley Jags from Torquay United in January, ended a long wait to get off the mark for the Highlanders.
The Englishman suffered an early setback when an ankle injury in just his third game for the club, a Scottish Cup replay against Stirling Albion, ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
After working his way back to fitness in time for the new campaign, Fisher has found himself in and out of the side but Foran is confident he will repay the club’s faith after he was handed a new six-month contract in the summer.
Foran added: “His attitude is great. He’s a deep-thinker and a positive guy. He wants to improve so much and always looks for a bit of help, to do a bit extra. He deserves every penny of his wages, that’s how I’d describe him.
“I was more over the moon for him than anyone else, more than me or the team, with that goal, because he deserves it. I’m hoping that can give him a bit more confidence and he can show us a bit more.”
