Runners-up spot in Championship it still big prize for Inverness Caledonian Thistle to aim for, says defender McHattie
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Kevin McHattie admits second place is the “big prize” now for Caley Thistle after defeat in torrential rain at Tannadice washed away already faint title hopes.
The former Hearts, Kilmarnock and Raith Rovers defender was part of an Inverness rearguard that fought tirelessly in treacherous conditions to shackle prolific Lawrence Shankland.
For much of the 90 minutes, they did just that – limiting Dundee United’s goalscoring opportunities and creating a platform for an away victory.
But two terrific finishes – one from Louis Appere and the killer second from Shankland – proved enough for United, despite Jordan White’s header in between.
McHattie admitted: “There is always a chance in football but, obviously, it is a massive gap for us to bridge.
“We’ll just try to clinch second place, that’s probably our biggest aim now.
“Since the current play-off system came in, second has become a big prize. It is very difficult indeed to qualify from finishing third or fourth in the league, given the amount of games you must play.
“If we can get that second place secured, it would be massive for us.
“But is going to be a real fight with five or six teams retaining an interest.”
McHattie cut a dejected, exhausted figure at full time at Tannadice on Friday, but in truth he had been excellent despite the eventual outcome.
He said: “The conditions at Tannadice were extremely difficult, just like against Rangers Colts on Sunday.
“The ball was skidding and holding up, so it is difficult to keep your concentration.
“Obviously, it was a hard defeat to take. We went down there and did well, playing on the front foot for good spells.
“We conceded early and then got back in the game with Jordan’s header. After that, I felt we were looking more dangerous.
“The gaffer said they only got into our box twice and but conceding in 75 minutes kind of deflated us.”
Keeping 28-goal Shankland quiet for 70 or 80 minutes is never quite enough and McHattie stressed: “He’s clinical. Give him one chance and he will put it away.
“It is extremely hard to keep him quiet for the full 90 minutes and, credit to him, he did great with the one he got.”
McHattie and flatmate Brad Mckay have stepped up to the plate superbly in central defence since Coll Donaldson and Jamie McCart departed in mid-season.
He added: “It is good to get a regular game and play centre half next to Brad.
“We played together at Hearts and have been mates for years, while we also share a place in Inverness now.
“We have a good friendship and we have that bond which helps us on the field of play.”
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