Captain admitted he was lost until he arrived at Inverness Caley Thistle as he looks to lead them to victory in the Scottish Cup semi final against Falkirk at Hampden
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SEAN Welsh says he was lost until he arrived at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The captain has now been at the Caledonian Stadium for five years having arrived in 2018 under former manager John Robertson.
The 33-year-old, arrived at Inverness from their Scottish Cup semi final opponents Falkirk.
He said his time at the Falkirk Stadium was an unsuccessful one, only playing 11 matches during a short spell in the 2017/18 season before being released.
He says at the beginning of his time at Inverness, he only saw it as a stop gap, but ended up loving the place and says it brought new life to his football career.
“I’d come here from a short spell at Falkirk, which came on the back of a really bad injury, so it was good to come here," he said.
“I thought I was coming here as a stop-gap but it has been five years now and I’ve loved it.
“My career was a bit lost at the time, but it has rejuvenated me.
“So to get to a final would be incredible, we have two massive games coming up and we’ll see where it takes us. "
Welsh missed the 2019 Scottish Cup semi final against Hearts at Hampden after breaking his foot and thought his chances of ever playing in the final had passed him by.
So he is determined to take his chance at the national stadium later on today.
"It’s massive for me, this will probably be the last chance I have to get to a Scottish Cup final.
“Unfortunately I missed the semi against Hearts last time, so it’s an opportunity to finally do it.
“I was devastated to miss the 2019 semi-final, it was my first season here and I was having a good time.
“I fell back in love with the game here and everything was going well, then I broke my foot and missed out, so it was hard to take.
“We had such a good feeling after getting the later winner in the quarter-finals, so it was hard to take not being involved.
“It was also really hard sitting watching the boys lose that game too.
“I am thankful I have got another opportunity to have a go at it now.
“This time I’m fit and ready to go, so I’m looking forward to it."
Inverness are only in the Scottish Cup semi final due to an administration error by Queen's Park who defeated them 2-0 in the fourth round back in January.
But the Spiders were kicked out of the tournament after fielding an ineligible player.
Inverness took full advantage and won at Livingston in the last 16 before defeating Kilmarnock in the quarter final.
Welsh knows Inverness are fortunate to still be in the tournament, but says after knocking out two Premiership clubs, deserve their place in the last four.
“We got the reprieve and have taken full advantage of it, that’s credit to the boys downstairs.
“We had that happen and we have taken full advantage of it.
“To be honest, we have kind of forgotten about all that now because we’ve had to play two really hard games since.
“But credit to secretary Fiona McWilliams for spotting the mistake, she’s done her job brilliantly there.
“Queens Park will be gutted about it, but we have taken advantage."
Inverness will go into today's clash as favourites to progress, largely as Falkirk are playing a division below in League One.
Falkirk will finish in second place in League One, unable to catch champions Dunfermline Athletic and will face the play-offs for a place in the Championship next season.
Welsh says Falkirk have all the quality of a Championship club already and says despite being favourites, is fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead.
“Is there more pressure being favourites? Possibly, but we are not looking at it like that because Falkirk are a big club.
“They are in the league they’re in, but everyone sees them as at least a Championship club.
“We know the quality Falkirk possess, they have good players and are well coached.
“So we can’t take anything for granted.
“They have a few players who were here, that’s what happens in football because people move around, I am still big mates with Coll Donaldson.
“I spoke to him the other day and he’s looking forward to kicking me!
“We are all professionals at the end of the day and we’ll all be doing our best for the teams we’re with.
“We know if we’re not at it we’ll get caught out, so you have to just embrace it.
“This is a huge opportunity, it’s not often you get to a semi-final and come up against a League One side.
“Falkirk will be saying the same because it’s not very often you come up against a Championship side at this stage.
“Both teams know the prize that’s there for us so neither of us will want to waste it."
Welsh says it will be a special moment leading the team out of the Hampden tunnel, not just with teammates, but also with his daughter Isla.
“It’s an honour captaining the club and it will be an honour leading the lads out.
“Obviously with my daughter there it will be extra special.
“We have a great group who all trust each other and believe in what we can do.
“We are going there to win the game and that’s our focus.
“It would be wonderful if we can get to the final and get promotion, that’s what everyone is striving for.”
Speaking about his daughter being by his side leading the team out, Welsh said: “My wife was keen to get her out with me on the day, it will be a special day for the family.
“Her name is Isla and this week is the first time she’s told anyone at school that her dad is a footballer.
“So I think she’s as excited about it as anyone!”
