Duncan Ferguson says any talk about Inverness Caley Thistle reaching play-offs is premature
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Duncan Ferguson insists it is far too early to talk about Premiership play-off aspirations five games into his tenure as Caley Thistle manager.
The former Rangers, Everton and Newcastle striker expressed delight at the work ethic, technical ability and growing confidence within his squad after three wins and two draws in his charge.
But with his team still sitting just above the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference advantage on Arbroath, Big Dunc sought to douse any hyperbole amid improving form.
Victory in tomorrow’s solitary Championship fixture away to Dunfermline Athletic would lift Caley Jags from eighth to fifth in the table, with a game in hand on three of the four sides above them.
“It is if’s, could be’s. I tend to look at what’s beneath us,” Ferguson insisted.
“It is going to be a tough match, but we know we will jump a few places if we win it.
“If we can get a result, fantastic, as it is a tough place to go. I saw against Dundee United that Dunfermline were a top team, one of the best in the division.
“It is a big ask for us.
“When I first came in, we had one point on the board and were cut adrift a little bit. Now we’re closing the gap.
“We’re still only goal difference outside the relegation place, though, so we really need to keep winning, picking up points and putting pressure on teams above us.
“It is too early to talk about play-offs because the play-offs are next year.
“First and foremost, let’s try and get away from the bottom of the league and see where that takes us.”
None of that should disguise Ferguson’s contentedness with what the players have given him since arriving in late September.
“They really are working 100 per cent and getting results. That’s all you can ask for,” he said. “Players buy into it when you’re getting results. I knew the team was good, but when I got them out on the grass I saw they were very good.
“It is refreshing for me because I want to be working with good players. It is about building that wee bit of confidence now, to keep them going and believing in themselves.”
