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Confidence shown by Caley Thistle is massive boost for Scott Allardice


By Andrew Henderson

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Scott Allardice says he is thriving under the support of manager John Robertson.

Picture - Ken Macpherson, Inverness. Inverness CT(2) v Raith Rovers(0). 21.11.20. ICT’s Scott Allardice celebrates 2nd goal with Kai Kennedy.
Picture - Ken Macpherson, Inverness. Inverness CT(2) v Raith Rovers(0). 21.11.20. ICT’s Scott Allardice celebrates 2nd goal with Kai Kennedy.

The 22-year-old former Dundee United player moved to the Highland capital in the summer after spending time in the League of Ireland with Bohemians and Waterford.

He has immediately become an important part of the Caley Jags’ side, taking part in all 12 of the club’s matches so far this season.

An opportunity to start on a regular basis may have come earlier than expected thanks to early-season injuries suffered by David Carson, James Vincent and club captain Sean Welsh, but with the backing of the entire coaching team, Allardice is loving life in Inverness.

“I love that I’m getting the chance to play every week,” he said.

“It’s probably the first time I’ve got a gaffer that believes in me to perform for him week in, week out.

“It’s not just me believing in myself, I have someone else who backs me.

“The gaffer takes me away at certain times and has a wee chat with me to talk about how I’m doing, and what I can do to improve.

“You need to perform to stay in the team, but having the backing to play and knowing that if I play well, the shirt is mine to keep, that’s massive.

“Before, I felt like any time I slipped up, I was out, but now I know I can go out and express myself as well.”

Belief may well be the key word for ICT as they prepare to welcome Dunfermline to the Caledonian Stadium tonight.

Ground staff at the club, as well as chief executive Scot Gardiner and Robertson, were working hard yesterday and this morning to ensure the pitch was given every chance of being in a playable condition – with everyone keen to avoid a repeat of Saturday’s postponement.

With the Pars sitting second in the table, having only lost once in their first round of league games, it will undoubtedly be a tough encounter.

Allardice expects a different story to the opening day of the campaign though, when an threadbare Caley Thistle squad lost 3–1 at East End Park.

“I don’t think there’s any fear, whoever we’re playing we back ourselves to go and win,” Allardice insisted.

“There wasn’t much in it in the first game of the season, but when you look at our bench, we had so many injuries.

“We’re a good team – we’ve got good attacking players and a strong defence.

“It is a tough game, but we back ourselves to go and play on the front foot and press them high, so we’re going into the match to get the three points.”


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