Inverness Caledonian Thistle defender says he sees shape of things to come
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CAMERON Harper is confident the Duncan Ferguson revolution is transforming Caley Thistle’s previously shaky defence.
Fresh from the team’s first clean sheet of the season – at the lucky 13th attempt – the Scotland under 21 left-back also praised newly-formed centre half pairing Morgan Boyes and Nikola Ujdur.
Harper (21), having featured in every match so far, is well-placed to analyse the sea-change.
“The manager has made some tactical tweaks, such as how he wants us to press opponents,” the Invernessian enthused. “It’s all about our shape. We got the win against Arbroath last week, and on Saturday we were a lot more solid.
“You’re obviously not losing games if you keep clean sheets. We want to be winning and find that cutting edge, but you start from the front and we had Billy Mckay and Aaron Doran putting in terrific shifts.
“We defend and attack as a team. We’ve all got to work for each other and help one another out.”
Boyes (22), a Livingston loanee and Wales under 21 international, and Nikola Ujdur (24), the recent Aussie import, have settled in together quickly across three games.
“I didn’t know much about Niko, but you can see he has a very calm head. He’s not a shouter, he’s a good player,” Harper said. “Since Morgan has come in as well, he’s been brand new and knows exactly what needs done. He and I are constantly talking during games, so it’s been perfect.
“The new manager demands high standards, having played at the highest level. He wants the boys to give 100 per cent, every game, and training has such high intensity.
“While he’s hard on you, if you make a mistake, he doesn’t shout and bawl at you. He has belief in the players and he has his principles on what he expects from us. From there, he allows us to do what w e want and show what we’re about.”
