Easy motivation for Loch Ness ahead of Inverness derby
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Loch Ness manager Shane Carling says tomorrow’s derby with Inverness Athletic is one of the most anticipated matches this season.
Athletic host Loch Ness in a North Caledonian League Division Two clash after the latter entered senior football’s ranks for the first time this summer.
Its been a long time coming for Carling, who has been with the club for more than 20 years.
“I can’t remember the last time there ever was a derby, it probably would have been when Caledonian and Thistle were in the Highland League, so we will be the talk of the town,” Carling recalled.
“A lot of our boys have played for Inverness before, so they are definitely up for it.
“The whole club is looking forward to it, so it has just been a matter of working hard this week and getting ourselves ready.”
Bragging rights are always on the line in a local derby, but history gives several Loch Ness players an added incentive to win.
Much of the squad previously turned out for Athletic, so Carling is sure there will be no lack of motivation to end up on the right side of the result at the final whistle.
“This is all they’ve been talking about for the last few weeks, they’ve been looking forward to this game,” he insisted.
“It’s one that the whole squad wants to be involved in, there’s definitely a buzz about it, but you can have all the buzz you want, you have to do the job on the park.
“That’s the difference, you need to go out and perform to win.”
A former Athletic manager himself, Carling knows some of the players and coaches he will be aiming to defeat this weekend.
However, with strict limits on how many people can be at matches, he is not entirely sure what to expect having not seen Athletic this season.
“I don’t know too much about Inverness, I haven’t seen them this season, but they have a decent group of players” Carling admitted.
“I’m sure they will be in the same situation as us, they will be up for it and wanting to get the win so I think it will be a battle between the two teams.”
