Caley Thistle head coach Billy Dodds is thrilled to see his former Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine on the World Cup stage with Australia.
Dodds was assistant manager to Jim McIntyre at Dingwall when they signed Irvine on a permanent deal from Celtic in the summer of 2015, after the player impressed on loan.
The now St Pauli playmaker helped the Staggies to League Cup glory in 2015/16 and was a key figure for the County management.
Irvine and another ex-County loan star Harry Souttar are proudly representing Australia in Qatar and will be looking to help their side bounce back from a 4-1 opening game defeat against World Cup holders France when they tackle Tunisia at 10am this Saturday.
Irvine has ‘great engine’ – Dodds
Dodds explained how he’s tracked Irvine’s progress all the way to Germany…and now on to Qatar.
He said: “Jackson’s different – a bit of a nomad who likes to go and try different countries. That’s what he’s done and he has progressed his career.
“He came to Ross County and his agent was a guy Vince Grella, who played for Blackburn Rovers.
“I always said to Jacko he was a box-to-box midfielder, with a great engine on him. And he’s progressed that at different levels.
“But Jacko always said he was a sitting, holding midfielder, but Jim McIntyre and myself used to tell him he’d be as well cutting his legs off if he wanted to play there.
“That’s why I’ve followed his career, all the way to FC St Pauli where he is now in Germany.”
Irvine was always keen to listen
Dodds watched Irvine come ever so close to finding the net against the French and recognised the energetic movement he mastered in the Highlands.
He added: “Jackson took things on board and it was brilliant to see him progress.
“His performance was good (against France) as well, but it was that ‘getting about the pitch’ aspect we worked on with him.
“He was unlucky not to score his header against France.
“He’s just a great lad and we’re delighted to see him do so well.
“It is down to hard work but it is also about listening and taking things in.”
Carson and Welsh delivered for boss
Dodds’ Caley Thistle side are in Scottish Cup third-round action against second-placed League Two visitors Stirling Albion in Inverness on Saturday.
ICT are six matches without a win, but heartened by a 2-2 draw last week against leaders Ayr United, which keeps them within six points of top place.
With eight senior players still out with injury, Dodds was delighted to see the contribution from David Carson last week as he returned to midfield from his now more-usual right-back berth.
He said: “We need people in midfield to get about the pitch. I thought David Carson and Sean Welsh did particularly well against Ayr.
“Over the last few games at right-back he’s made a couple of mistakes, but you know what? He gives you everything he’s got.
“When I put him in there on Saturday, I thought he really took to it and showed the attitude that he didn’t care of he made a mistake.
“He just got on with it and showed his energy and willingness to win. He was excellent and controlled the first half against Ayr, for long periods, him and Welshy.
“We need more of that. We need people getting about the pitch and Carson certainly brings that.”
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Full focus on Binos for cup clash
Next week, ICT will be aiming to down title-hunting Dundee in their third successive home match to push back into the promotion chase.
Dodds, however, stressed the focus is fully on ensuring they play to their potential against Stirling, who will have every intention and belief in themselves, given their form.
He added: “We’ve not won in six, but we had three draws and could have picked up a couple of wins against Ayr and Arbroath.
“You do think about what a win on Saturday would do for the place ahead of the Dundee visit.
“We just need to make sure we do get the win and take that positivity into the Dundee game.
“I’m very wary of looking too far ahead because we have to realise just how tough an opponent Stirling Albion will be.
“If we take our eye off that one, we could be going in against Dundee with no wins in seven.”
One defeat in 10 for in-form Stirling
Dodds stressed that a team, even two levels down, with form and momentum will be dangerous for his players this weekend.
He said: “Stirling Albion are absolutely flying, with a former Aberdeen team-mate Darren Young being their manager.
“We have to be careful. Yes, there are a League Two team, but they have only been beaten once in 10 games. And that was against Annan when Stirling had a man sent off.
“When you come up against any team with momentum and confidence, it’s a tricky tie, but we’re at home and we’re looking forward to the game and hopefully we can progress to the next round.”
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