Inspiration is only 40 steps away – Billy Dodds urges Inverness Caley Thistle players to seize opportunity ahead of them in Scottish Cup quarter final against Kilmarnock
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Billy Dodds insists the focus should be on nothing but Inverness Caledonian Thistle's preparations for tomorrow's Scottish Cup quarter final against Kilmarnock.
Dodds has a history of success in the competition, lifting the trophy in 2000 as a Rangers player and also being on the coaching staff at Queen of the South in 2008 as the then-Championship outfit made it all the way to the final.
Caley Thistle also currently have the recent announcement of over £800,000 losses for the last financial year hanging over them, with progress in the cup certainly helping their bank balance.
However, with the prospect of a trip to Hampden in store if ICT can get past Kilmarnock tonight – and a favourable draw in the semi final if they get that far – Dodds only wants his players to be thinking about the opportunity presented to them on the pitch.
"It's big, but I can't get carried away – I can't lose focus, and my players are the same," he stressed.
"If I focus on the financial side of it, that's not my job. I'll do all I can to help the board and the club, and winning this game would be helpful with that, but I can't lose focus on what my job is as a manager and what we've got to do as a squad.
"This is not about me, it's about my team and the opportunity my lads have. It does take me back to my Queen of the South days and that group of players that got to the final.
"Rangers had a lot of games, they had a European run, but Queen of the South that day nearly created the fairytale. They were 2–0 down, got back to 2–2, and we just fell short.
"That's what I would say to this group of players – that's what's there for you if you get your mindset right. Go and give your all against Kilmarnock, but enjoy the fixture, because that's when you play your best.
"I can't put pressure on my team and my staff by saying we have to win this for financial gain. It would be lovely if we did, and that's where I'm at with it.
"I've touched on this before as well – this club has got a recent record of a Scottish Cup win.
"We just have to look at the walls in our club, and if our players want to be inspired and do something in their career that people will remember, they only have to go 40 steps. I want them to realise the opportunity we've got here and embrace it."
Dodds will have a strong squad to pick from after everyone made it through last weekend's win at Ayr United unscathed.
That will give him both tactical flexibility and options from the bench for the visit of Premiership side Kilmarnock.
Derek McInnes' side have already reached the final four of one cup competition this season, but have struggled to pick up results away from home in the league.
With three wins of the four meetings between Inverness and Killie last season to look back on too, Caley Thistle have every reason to believe they can get a result tonight.
"We've got to respect them, not fear them," Dodds added.
"They're a Premiership team, and they know how to get results despite where they are in the table.
"Derek is a really good manager, but we showed last year in the Championship that when we're on it, we can give them a really good game.
"Their away ties at Hearts and Dundee United show that this will be a tough cup tie, and who wants it most will win. Derek will have his team organised, they will be a threat at set plays, but if we match their endeavour we'll be in with a chance.
"It's a big fixture for everyone, and a great one to play in. It's a semi final place that's up for grabs, and a favourable draw could bring us to the final, but that's looking too far ahead.
"We have to go and enjoy the game and make sure we compete in it."
