Caley Thistle defender Coll Donaldson will not hear any word of fatigue being a factor when his side face Dundee United in the Premiership play-off semi-final this week.
Donaldson scored the equaliser to settle his side’s nerves in a tense quarter-final second leg against Ayr United at Caledonian Stadium ,with his goal giving John Robertson’s team a 1-1 draw and a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Caley Jags boss Robertson labelled the SPFL’s decision to schedule the semi-final first leg for tomorrow as ludicrous, insisting Thursday would have been a better fairer option for the first leg, but Donaldson insists his side is ready for the visit of his former club tomorrow.
He said: “There are two ways of looking at it. When we played Falkirk with Dundee United, our thinking was we’ve played two games and we’re ready to go, while they had been training all week. Sometimes going game to game and knowing what you have got to do works.
“But they will be fresh and have had a week to prepare. It’s just excuses. This will be two games between two teams who want to be in the Premiership, and that’s all that matters.
“There will be an added incentive for myself. I’ve spoken plenty about my time at United and I’ve given as good as I got, but we’re looking forward to Tuesday and hopefully we can get a positive result for the second leg.”
Donaldson’s goal 10 minutes from time settled a nervy game in Caley Jags’ favour as Ayr were pushing for a second goal to take the tie to extra-time.
The defender said: “It was tense, but that was always going to be the case after the way we played in the first half. We couldn’t find a player in a blue shirt and I include myself in that, but there is that doubt about whether to go and try to score again or sit on the lead.
“We tried to play this game on its merits, but credit to Ayr, they came and had a go. It’s another hurdle in front of us to where we want to go, but we’re looking forward to it.”
On his goal, Donaldson said: “I hope there is photographic evidence.
“It’s great to score but more important to be through to the semi-final.”
