Caley Thistle defender Louis Laing has suffered the pain of relegation but he is convinced it will not happen again with Inverness.
The Highlanders left it late to secure a 1-1 Premiership draw against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Saturday, with captain Gary Warren netting a header in the final action of the game after Kris Doolan’s goal looked to have secured all three points for the hosts.
Inverness remain bottom of the table but are now just a point behind 11th placed Hamilton Accies with 10 games left.
Laing, who joined on a free transfer after leaving Motherwell last month, was part of a Wycombe Wanderers side that suffered relegation to League Two in 2012, during a loan spell from Sunderland.
The 24-year-old was also part of the Well side that avoided dropping to the Championship two years ago with a 6-1 aggregate play-off victory against Rangers and the Englishman is certain his current side has what it takes to stave off the threat.
He said: “The big factor is the team spirit because of the characters we have in the squad.
“We have quality as well. Everyone on that pitch can do a job. Add to that the belief. We all believe that we can do it.
“I have been involved in a few struggles before. My whole career seems to have been one.
“I have been relegated before. When I was 17 or 18 I was at Wycombe Wanderers when they were in League One and went down that season.
“Am I a bad luck charm? If you go back and look at my record, you could say that. But I don’t think that is going to happen here.
“The tables are turning here. Fingers crossed, luck will go for me this time. We will work hard and we all believe we can do it.”
Inverness take on Highland rivals Ross County in a crucial encounter on Saturday and Laing is relishing his first Highland derby, in which Caley Jags have the chance to move a point behind the Staggies with a victory.
He added: “It will be another tough game but we believe we can get three points to start climbing the table.
“Three points would be a massive bonus.
“Ross County are big side and we are all ready for that. I’m looking forward to it. All the lads have said it is a big game and a really passionate one for the supporters.”
