Caley Jags midfielder Ross Draper says boss Richie Foran is taking job in his stride
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ROSS Draper reckons Richie Foran brings the perfect blend to his role in the Caley Thistle hot-seat – after running the place for years as skipper.
The midfielder, who scored in the weekend’s 2-1 Betfred Cup opener at League Two hosts Cowdenbeath, says the players have been really put through their paces this month and having worked under Terry Butcher and John Hughes he’s sure Foran will be well briefed on how to cope in the top job.
He told the HN: "The manager knows the lads from being a player last season. He knows how hard we work and what we need. That’s an advantage, the fact he has been a player with us and that he’s worked under other managers who know how to get the best out of players. He will have taken that from managers he’s worked under and will do a good job.
"The manager trusts the players and the staff around him and that’s so important. With Chipper (Brian Rice) and Scott Kellacher, he’s got two very good coaches alongside him. He has good people around him and, with the experience of being in our dressing room and running the club for years (as captain), this is not a big step for him. He’s taking it in his stride and the boys knew he was a very good appointment."
With little more than a fortnight to prepare for the revamped Betfred Cup last weekend, the ICT players have come through a range of games against Highland League sides and League Two Elgin City unscathed and fitter.
Draper, one of the club’s senior figures who signed from Macclesfield in 2012, said: "July has been tough and the gaffer has put us through our paces, but the boys look fit and sharp. We needed a good pre-season behind us with the cup starting so early.
"We had to get up and running to a certain level, quicker than we have needed to in previous season. The gaffer works you hard, but he rewards you with a day off now and again, so it’s been good.
"Fitness-wise, we have a little bit to do, but the games over the next few weeks will take care of that."
Saturday’s visitors to Inverness, Dundee United, relegated from the Premiership last season, kicked off Group C on Friday with a penalty shoot-out win against Arbroath under new boss Ray McKinnon on Friday.
Then, on Tuesday night, United crushed Cowdenbeath 6-1 at Tannadice, while Dunfermline kicked off their Group C charge with a 3-0 cruise against Arbroath.
While Draper expects the Tangerines to improve this year, he backs the Caley Jags to get the job done and move towards topping the section ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Dunfermline.
He explained: "I watched Dundee United on Friday night because I was interested to see how they play with the new manager coming in there. He’s stripped the whole team back and started again.
"He’s kept Paul Dixon and some senior players such as Sean Dillon and Simon Murray, who always did well, against us last season. He’s brought in guys like Cammy Smith and Willo Flood from Aberdeen, some very good signings, so when they gel, like us with a new manager, they will be a really decent side.
"It will be a tough game on Saturday, but with us being at home we are looking to put in a better performance and get all three points.
"We want to get as many points on the board as soon as possible. It would get us into the second round as soon as we can and gives you a little bit of a breather. We don’t want to nick a point here and there and needing to get a win in the last game to make sure we go through. We want the business done early doors."
*** See this week's Highland News for the full interview.
