Cammy Mackay says Caley Thistle stars Sean Welsh and Danny Devine led the way amid the club’s injury crisis by defying personal odds to play.
The Inverness goalkeeper is chasing victory this weekend in the Scottish Cup third-round against in-form League Two visitors Stirling Albion after six successive winless matches.
Last weekend’s stirring 2-2 home draw against Championship leaders Ayr United keeps them within six points of top spot.
Head coach Billy Dodds revealed centre-half Devine, who was just back from six weeks out with a knee injury, and midfield captain Welsh played through the pain for the cause.
🏆 We're in Scottish Cup action this weekend as we face Stirling Albion
🎟️ Tickets available now from https://t.co/6z5nBM5y24, the Club Shop and on 01463 222880
ℹ️ Supporters should note that ONLY the Main Stand will be in use for home fans
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— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) November 21, 2022
With eight players on the injury list and youngsters filling the bench, MacKay says the experienced duo’s actions were noted by team-mates.
He said: “It must be tough for the gaffer. He doesn’t have many options off the bench at the moment.
“The young boys don’t yet have the experience to come on, so it is difficult for the manager.
“Danny and Welshy were not even 100% fit last week and the boys in the team will look at them and say ‘if they can play when not fully fit, I can carry on with a niggle too’.
“We want to do what we can to keep the team up the right end of the table until we get more numbers back and that will give us a real chance.”
Heads didn’t drop when 2-1 down
Mackay, who has made four successive appearances for ICT, was delighted that they didn’t fold when their lead turned into a deficit against Ayr last week as they dug out a point.
He said: “With the way we played in the first half, we were a bit unlucky to just be one goal ahead.
“In the second half, Ayr had nothing to lose and, being top of the league, they pressed us higher up the pitch and put us under a bit more pressure.
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Nathan Shaw got two goals against Ayr United on Saturday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kmXQ2OYyPW
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) November 21, 2022
“When it went to 2-1, it was good to see the boys’ heads didn’t drop, which would have been the easiest thing to do, given our recent performances. We stuck at it and a draw was certainly a fair result.
“The Championship table is really tight. Had someone said to us at the start of the season, we’d be hunting down the leaders Ayr right now, with a gap of six points, no one would have believed it.
“There is still a long way to go and Saturday was massive for us. It was important for it not to reach nine points.”
Early goal will take pressure off
The 25-year-old shot-stopper faced Saturday’s cup visitors Stirling Albion last season when the Binos won a group stage Betfred Cup tie on penalties.
They are second in League Two, just three points away from Dumbarton, and MacKay explained any victory for the 2015 cup-winners will be built upon standing strong against dangerous opponents.
He added: “Stirling Albion are going really well in League Two and we know we will be in for a tough game.
“Stirling are scoring goals, so defensively we need to be on our game. Hopefully the boys at the other end will take their chances when they come along.
“Ideally, we want to put the tie to bed early on and not leave it late when it can become a wee bit nervy. When it reaches that stage, anything can happen.
“We will give Stirling the same respect as we would give any Championship team. We’re not in the greatest of form, so we need to find a way to get a wee boost from this game and hopefully get a good result ahead of a tough home league game against Dundee next week.
“Reaching the next round of the cup is a big prize for the club. You always want to go as far as you can and ideally get a draw against one of the big teams. That would give us something to look forward to.”
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