Mark Ridgers on board as Duncan Ferguson introduces rewards scheme for Inverness Caley Thistle players – with days off dependent on performance
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Mark Ridgers insists manager Duncan Ferguson’s decision to axe automatic days off and award time for good behaviour is sitting well with the Caley Thistle squad.
And the experienced goalkeeper is also revelling in the introduction of shorter, sharper training days out at Fort George.
One of Ferguson’s immediate acts after succeeding Billy Dodds was to scrap the squad’s traditional Wednesday rest day.
Instead, so far at least, the Everton legend has been rewarding hard work and good performances with a Monday off, conditional on the players meeting standards demanded.
“We’re now working Monday to Friday, but so far after our first two results the manager has given us Mondays off,” Ridgers revealed.
“We used to have Wednesdays off, but not now.
“Last week, he gave us the choice as to which day we wanted off. It’s the same this week because we don’t have the game at the weekend.
“With a long weekend off, it’s a chance to refresh boys who can go back down the road to their families.
“If you give the manager your all, and do what he expects, he will reward us.”
Much has been made of Ferguson cranking up the intensity of training, but Ridgers is clear the sessions do not equate to over-working the players.
“Training-wise, it’s not two-and-a-half hours. Sometimes that works, not just with Billy Dodds here, but with other managers I’ve worked under,” he stressed.
“The manager is modern in the way he wants to do things. It’s short and sharp in intensity. The boys love it.
“You come in, do your work and go home. That’s all the manager asks – give 100 per cent when at work, at training and in games.
“Personally, I have worked under many managers, so I have been around the block where we’ve had the full week of training sessions, from Monday through to Friday.
“What happens is the sessions become a little bit shorter but the intensity is higher. There’s a crazy statistic like the ball during a game is only in play for 60-65 minutes, so the manager demands that from the boys in training.
“You can see the boys are putting that in – look at Billy Mckay, he’s leading the line and pressing.
“Max Anderson and Charlie Gilmour just behind were brilliant with their pressing, as well as the two centre halves.
“Some boys might never have worked like that before, but they will enjoy it. The manager will reward you if you put the high levels of work in for him.”
Ridgers was delighted to see the team clamber off bottom place in the Championship, ahead of next opponents Morton on goal difference, going into the international break.
“It’s all about small steps and there’s a long way to go, but the progress is there to see,” he said. “The confidence has always been there. We knew we were not miles away, but it is starting to come together for us.”
