Caley Thistle interim manager Neil McCann remains proud of the efforts of his players despite coming up short in the hunt for a promotion play-off place.
Inverness’ 3-0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday signalled the end of Inverness’ hopes of playing Premiership football next season, after Dunfermline clinched fourth place with a 4-3 win over Arbroath.
⚽️⚽️ A fine double from @Gary__11 on Saturday#SPFL pic.twitter.com/m8GZkaw4kQ
— SPFL (@spfl) April 26, 2021
The result ended a seven-match unbeaten streak in the league, with Caley Jags playing their final match of the season at home to Ayr United on Friday.
McCann has temporarily taken charge since February, assisted by Billy Dodds, during the absence of manager John Robertson on compassionate leave, while assistant Scott Kellacher has also been sidelined with illness.
Although Inverness initially struggled for form under McCann, and occupied the relegation play-off spot in early March, the former Dundee manager is thrilled with the way the Caledonian Stadium squad has responded.
He said: “I feel really sorry for them and disappointed for them, because they have been so good.
“A wee while ago we were sitting second bottom and everybody was saying we were struggling, but we steeled up, played some brilliant football and looked really solid.
“I’m really proud of them. I’m really proud of how they have come together after being put through the ringer. They lost their manager and assistant, and they have had to shoehorn games in when we have already been down bodies through injuries.
“I’ve got a huge amount of pride and admiration for them as a group. I think they have been outstanding.”
Along with their strong league form Inverness also performed well in the Scottish Cup, with a memorable 3-1 victory over Highland rivals Ross County followed by a courageous showing in their last-16 defeat to St Mirren.
Although Caley Jags have fallen short of their target of finishing in the top four, McCann feels his side can reflect fondly on the strides they have made.
He added: “We have gone toe-to-toe with two Premiership teams and probably been the better side.
“Saturday was a big ask against Hearts. I think we were really hindered and punished during the week with bad refereeing decisions, but we almost sneaked it against Dundee.
“That was a big blow to us. If we remained at 11 men in the game we could have gone on and won. It’s all ifs and buts.
“We came up short on Saturday, the results have gone against us, which means we can’t achieve the play-off positions.
“The pride is still the same. They have really done themselves proud as a team.”
McCann’s return to management ended an absence of more than two years since he left Dundee in October 2018.
Having also drafted in his former Dundee, Rangers and Scotland team-mate Dodds in as his assistant, McCann is pleased the coaching staff’s efforts have been rewarded with a run of strong end of season form.
He added: “I’m pleased we managed to get things going because I believed in the group. I said to them they were better than what they were showing, and where they were standing in the table.
“As a coaching staff we worked really hard, sometimes with limited time on the pitch.
“All-in-all it has been a team effort, but it’s the players that have got the results. At the end of the day the players go out on the pitch and they make decisions, we can’t make them.
“I’m pleased I was able to keep it going towards the end of the season, but ultimately I have come up short.”
