Fans return can boost Inverness Caledonian Thistle says manager John Robertson
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson hopes the return of 300 supporters for tomorrow’s match against Raith Rovers can give his players an extra boost.
Fans will be back in the Caledonian Stadium for the first time since March as ICT take on the Championship leaders for the second time in as many weeks.
Inverness are the only team in league that are in tier one of the Scottish Government’s pandemic framework, so could be at an advantage as they get backing every other week.
Especially for the first match back though, Robertson hopes his players will get a lift from the stands.
“You hope it will give the players a boost,” he said.
“Playing in front of any crowd at all, you always hope that they will want to perform.
“The last match against Raith was a terrific match, it was 3–3 and it could easily have been 6-6 such was the attacking intent of the teams.
“They will make a noise, there will be a semblance of an atmosphere, which is exactly what we want.
“It’s a big game, and if it’s even half as good as it was in Kirkcaldy, then the 300 fans are in for a real treat.”
While ICT will host fans, from today most of the central belt are facing even tougher restrictions instead of looser.
So Caley Thistle hope they can provide a light at the end of the tunnel for others.
“I’m hoping it’s a step in the right direction for everybody,” Robertson added.
“Hopefully around the country people can see it as a small green shoot of recovery and it gives them a bit of encouragement.
“We feel we could have more than 300 safely – and I’m sure Ross County and Elgin feel the same.
“Theatres have 27 or 28 per cent of their capacity allowed indoors, and we’re looking at five or six per cent, but it’s a start.
“That’s the most important thing, it’s a start, and it allows us to see fans back in the stadium, so hopefully it will make a huge difference.”
