Defender says Inverness Caley Thistle staying mentally strong amid injury crisis
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Cameron Harper says Inverness Caledonian Thistle remain mentally strong despite the injury crisis which has hit the club in recent months.
Inverness have had up to 10 players out injured at the same time which has impacted their form, going seven matches without a victory in the Championship.
Inverness head to Firhill to take on Partick Thistle tomorrow night as they look for their first league win in two months when they beat Cove Rangers 1-0 on October 15.
Harper has played an important part in the first team and says despite the injury crisis at the club along with the winless run, they remain mentally strong they can turn things around.
Speaking about the impact of the injury crisis, Harper said: “I don’t think it affects you, but you don’t like seeing anyone injured.
“It is a downer and it does become mentally draining not having a full compliment of a squad. It will have its effect eventually of boys having to produce 90-minutes week in and week out. It is a team game and someone can pop up with a goal or a bit of magic so you need close to your full strength squad as you can.”
The emergence of Harper as a first team player has been one of the highlights of Caley Thistle’s campaign so far.
Head coach Billy Dodds publicly said this was the season the defender had to prove himself and that he has risen to the challenge.
Harper also feels his own form has improved significantly and is embracing the chance of being a first team footballer.
“I would say so, I have had my chance with the gaffer, I feel like my form is night and day as I didn’t play as much as I wanted to last season.
“I had a wee talk with myself and wanted to play every game I can.
“It was all about hitting the ground running from pre-season and I feel that I have done that.”
Inverness Caledonian Thistle head to Firhill tomorrow looking for a more positive result than when they suffered a 4-1 defeat in Glasgow back in August.
But Partick failed to build on their good start and Harper is confident they can end their winless run.
“The last time we went it was a sore one to take. We admit that our pride took a hit.
“But they haven’t kicked on since then. Anyone can beat anyone in this league and we back us to win.”
