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Billy Dodds’ delight at Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s mental drive


By Andrew Henderson

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Billy Dodds insists he will not let complacency creep in to Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s squad.

Billy Dodds (right) with coach Barry Wilson. Picture: Ken Macpherson
Billy Dodds (right) with coach Barry Wilson. Picture: Ken Macpherson

Admittedly, there was no sign of it in their Premier Sports Cup opener on Tuesday night, where Inverness claimed a 2–0 win, but tomorrow night the lowest ranked side in the group on paper visit the Highland capital.

Stirling Albion have already shown they are no pushovers, scoring a win over League One side Cove Rangers in their first game, but it is still one Caley Thistle will be expecting to win relatively comfortably.

Dodds, though, does not even want to hear that word around the Caledonian Stadium while he is in charge.

So far, he has been encouraged by the squad’s focus – and he believes they are desperate to right the wrongs of failed promotion charges in recent years.

“A lot of times when you play a lower league team and it’s 0–0, you get a wee bit of verbal,” Dodds said.

“We didn’t get that the other night, which shows you we’re not underestimating anyone. As long as I’m here, I won’t allow complacency to set in.

“The boys have got this drive from somewhere, where they just want to do well. They saw how we finished last season, and they don’t want to leave themselves on the chase again.

“That’s what happened last year – at first to get away from relegation, and then to get into the play-offs. We don’t want that again, we want to get a good start.

“I can see the edge in them, and we want that to continue through these cup games and then straight on to the league season.”

Dodds squad could soon be bolstered by several returns from injury.

Defender Robbie Deas was back in full training yesterday after missing Tuesday’s match, with Billy Mckay among the others set to follow suit within the next week.

The only longer-term issue is with Anthony McDonald, but even he is working his way back to fitness.


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