Manager Duncan Ferguson reckons Caley Thistle have the creative spark to move up the Championship table.
Only once in his 12 games in charge have Inverness failed to score as they look to regain a level of consistently good results.
Saturday saw ICT draw 1-1 at third-placed Partick Thistle, which came on the back of successive 2-1 defeats against Morton and Arbroath.
It means Inverness remain in eighth position, three points above basement side Queen’s Park, but also just five points shy of Dunfermline Athletic in fourth spot.
Ferguson: ‘We’re a creative team’
It was pleasing for Ferguson to have stopped the mini-dip and he feels the signs show they can trouble any opponent in the division.
He said: “I’m really pleased with the draw because we had a couple of bad results, even although I thought our performances were good.
“To go to Partick and play like we did, well, fair play to the lads.
“A result such as Saturday does give you confidence going forward.
“We played well against Arbroath, but not so well in the second half against Morton, but we defended our box better against Partick Thistle – other than the goal.
“We’re always going to score goals. We’re a creative team which is very good on the ball, although we need to be a bit better off the ball. We’re a good team to watch.”
Opening goal surprised ICT manager
On-loan Dundee midfielder Max Anderson entered the record-books with a goal on 21 seconds making him the scorer of the quickest-ever ICT goal.
The 22-year-old takes the accolade from James Keatings, who netted after 35 seconds against Buckie Thistle in 2021.
Ferguson admits the opener caught him out.
He said: “I didn’t even lift my head when the ball went in the net.
“It seemed a bit fortunate as it might have bounced off one of their players and went in.
“Max had another great chance in the second half which went narrowly past the post. Max had another fantastic game, as did all the players.”
⚡ Lightning fast start!
Our goal against Partick Thistle after just 21 seconds yesterday, making it the fastest competitive first team goal in the club's history! pic.twitter.com/jdHuXcOdAD
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) December 24, 2023
Davidson kicked on in second half
There were many fine performers for ICT at Partick, including right-back Jake Davidson, who was getting forward and causing the Glasgow side problems with his crosses.
Ferguson smiled as he suggested the ex-Queen’s Park defender excelled when he was not near the bench and within earshot.
He said: “Jake was particularly good when he was on the other side from me – I think he was a wee bit nervous on my side to begin with.
“But in the second half, I thought he was excellent.
“Some of our play in the second half was very good. Our combinations and our ideas on the training field, you can see it going on to the pitch, which is good as a coach.
“We had a lot of opportunities and we just couldn’t find the final ball.
“Our defensive play in the second half was also very good, yet they had a chance in the last five minutes. I thought ‘here we go’, but it flashed across our box. All in all, I was well pleased.”
Six sides seeking to survive right now
All five Championship fixtures at the weekend ended in draws as second-placed Dundee United were goalless against Queen’s Park and leaders Raith Rovers and Ayr United shared eight goals in Fife.
Dunfermline’s late goal earned them a 1-1 draw at Arbroath, while it was scoreless between Airdrie and Morton.
Ferguson reckons it’s currently a six-way scrap to avoid a relegation battle.
He said: “I watched a wee bit of the Dundee United game on Friday and you could just see they were not going to score.
“Fair play to Queen’s Park, who dug in and got their point.
“I’d say the top four teams are out of the relegation battle, but the rest of the sides are in it until we’re not in it.”
The Manager shows his thanks to the travelling Caley Jag fans at the end of today’s game. A great effort in horrendous conditions across the country. pic.twitter.com/WiF8uvcdup
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) December 23, 2023
Home improvements against Ton?
ICT’s defeat at Morton on December 12 came in a rearranged fixture and Dougie Imrie’s improving team from Greenock are the visitors to the Caledonian Stadium this Saturday.
Ferguson expects an improvement from his players as they seek to sign off the year on a high note.
He said: “Morton turned us over the last time and they’re on a good run right now.
“This Saturday, we’ve got them at our place, so hopefully we can perform better than we did the last time against them.”
