Aribim Pepple is determined to help fire Caley Thistle out of the Championship relegation play-off spot – although they need help from Airdrie.
The on-loan Luton Town forward stepped off the bench to slot home the leveller – his first for the club – in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Dunfermline Athletic.
It was a result in their penultimate game which saw Inverness dip down to ninth, overtaken by Queen’s Park, who thrashed relegated Arbroath 5-0 at Gayfield.
ICT host mid-table Morton on Friday, while Queen’s, with a one-point lead, are home to fourth-placed Airdrie.
A draw for the Caley Jags along with defeat for the Glasgow side would keep ICT up thanks to their superior goal difference.
The 21-year-old former Canadian under-17 international cashed in on a mistake at the back to cancel out Pars’ first half opener from Kyle Benedictus.
‘Hopefully it will fall in our favour’
The January deadline day arrival insists no one is willing to accept they’re bound for a play-off against League One promotion contenders Montrose just yet.
He said: “We’re all down, but we know there’s another game and we’re not out of it.
“We will give everything we can, focus on the game and the things we can control, and see what happens.
“A draw is better than a loss, but it’s not what we came for.
“We definitely had the chances to win the game, but we will take the positives.
“We’re in the fight for next week and that’s the most important thing. Hopefully it will go in our favour.
“It was in our hands before Saturday.
“We’re all disappointed, because we knew what we had to do to keep it in our hands and we didn’t do that.
“We will do our best to do all we can to get three points on Friday. Football is a funny game, so hopefully it falls our way.”
Testing finish from a tight angle
Pepple admits he it was tough chance for his 76th-minute goal, but he was happy to see to go in.
He said: “The ball just broke through, and the angle was a bit tight, so I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to get it and time it, but luckily it went in, so thank God for that.
“I was hoping for another one, but it didn’t come. But we go again next week.”
‘Best players in world miss penalties’
Pepple’s big moment arrived after club record scorer Billy Mckay saw his spot-kick saved by Dunfermline keeper Deniz Mehmet.
However, Pepple backs the experienced frontman to bounce back.
He added: “That’s just football. Billy has scored loads of goals, and we all have confidence in him.
“No one is doubting him. You see the best players in the world miss penalties.
“No one is ever 100%. We wanted him to score and obviously he wanted to score.
“It’s not his fault. We had other chances to score.
“Billy will pick himself up and I am sure if he gets another penalty he will finish it.”
Pepple is ready to grab his chance
And Pepple, who has made just two ICT starts in 13 appearances, explained he doesn’t ever expect to walk into the Inverness line-up, but will be ready when called upon.
He said: “There are two great strikers, Billy Mckay and Alex Samuel, in the team in front of me.
“It’s not as if it’s two people not doing their jobs in the team.
“Whenever I come on, I want to make an impact. It broke for me on Saturday. Last week, I think I should have had one or two goals.
“It’s just about staying ready and when the chance comes, do the business.”
75' | 1-1
GOALLLLLLLL! ARIBIM PEPPLE LEVELS IT! pic.twitter.com/6jihAPZMv9
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) April 27, 2024
