Boss Billy Dodds signed a new Caley Thistle deal because he believes his players have what it takes to deliver success for the Highlanders.
The 2023/24 competitive season starts on Saturday, with a home Viaplay Cup group stage opener against League Two visitors Bonnyrigg Rose.
Dodds’ future was up in the air around the time of last month’s Scottish Cup final, which the Championship side lost 3-1 to Celtic in what was nevetheless an impressive display.
Four days after that Hampden showpiece, news the 54-year-old had agreed a contract until 2025 was confirmed. His players had been told he was staying on just after battling Celtic.
An injury-hit season saw ICT finish sixth in the Championship following a last-day defeat to Ayr United.
The previous year, they reached the Premiership play-off final when they ran out of steam at the very end to lose to St Johnstone at Perth.
Dodds ‘loves’ working with ICT squad
Dodds explained why he never wanted to leave the club as he seeks to take charge of a team capable of a big promotion push.
He said: “It was great to finally get it over the line and commit my future.
“I wanted to stay here, and I said to the players after the cup final that I had signed a new contract, and they were a big factor.
“That was from the heart, because I love working with them. We’ve lost a couple, which we knew would happen, but those boys were a huge factor in me wanting to stay.
“Hopefully we can get a smoother run this year and see where we end up.
“The players who were committed to staying, I felt like I would have been deserting if I had walked away, because we’ve come a long way.”
🔜 This Saturday we're back in home action as we kick-off the new season against Bonnyrigg Rose
🎟️ Tickets available now from https://t.co/iOIFJ8FsPM
Please note that ONLY the Main Stand will be in use for Home Supporters
Info👉 https://t.co/bPyNfN4Qfo pic.twitter.com/r3KvpaRjAE
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) July 13, 2023
Bonnyrigg are first cup opponents
Bonnyrigg, then Tuesday’s hosts Dumbarton, also of League Two, are ICT’s first Viaplay Cup opponents.
Championship new boys Airdrieonians visit on July 25, then Premiership returners Dundee meet ICT at Dens Park on July 30.
On paper, Bonnyrigg will be expected to be the weakest side in Group C. However, they are a team rapidly on the rise under Robbie Horn.
In just a few years, they’ve moved from the East of Scotland League, to a Lowland League title, and into League Two via the pyramid play-offs. They also reached the fourth round of the Scottish Cup in 2020.
Saturday can't come soon enough! 🤩
The new season is almost here 🏴⚽#ViaplayCup pic.twitter.com/rpCOJSE6Yf
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) July 12, 2023
Avoiding a cup defeat on day one is uppermost in Dodds’ mind and he has demanded his players be switched on from the start in their bid to get three points.
He added: “We’re not going to play teams off the pitch every week – although hopefully we do more often than not.
“That’s where your mindset can get you results, so if we’re not doing the proper things on Saturday against Bonnyrigg, hopefully our mindset will get us over the line.
“The players never go out to not do the right things. The effort is there. I just feel that sometimes it’s about not playing well and making sure we don’t give away a silly goal to make sure we take something from the game.
“That’s the bit we’ve lacked over the last two seasons at crucial times of the year.”
Inverness looking fit for kick-off
And Dodds hopes several factors are spot-on against Bonnyrigg to ensure they come out on top before Tuesday’s visit to Dumbarton.
He said: “It takes a bit of everything – patience, concentration and hard work.
“We look a fit bunch, even though that was against Highland League opposition in Nairn County (a 6-0 win) and League Two side Elgin City (a 4-1 victory).
“The boys have come back in good nick, but we’re still working on that, so we must do the right thing in the game to get a result.
“If we get a result, that will then give us more matches and minutes under our belts.
“I respect Robbie Horn and his team, because they are dangerous. I saw them against Edinburgh City (a 2-1 loss) last week, so we’ve had a right good look at them and we’re right up-to-date.”
