Caley Thistle concern as Remi Savage joins injury list following Scottish Cup exit to Cove Rangers
Remi Savage could add to Caley Thistle’s mounting injury concerns with the club facing an anxious wait over his fitness.
The former Liverpool and Newcastle defender hobbled off with a back injury late in Saturday’s controversial Scottish Cup exit away to Cove Rangers.
With the close-fought third round tie still in the balance at 0-0 late on, Savage’s 79th minute injury forced midfielder Charlie Gilmour to deputise in defence.
Furore then surrounded the visitors’ late collapse with Danny Devine, at point-blank range, adjudged to have used an arm to block Michael Doyle’s powerfully-driven attempt.
Declan Glass scored from the penalty spot and ICT, frantically chasing an equaliser, were left over-exposed in stoppage time as Grady McGrath raced away to net the second.
Medical staff assessed Savage’s injury over the weekend, but could draw no firm conclusions on the cultured central defender’s chances of playing at Montrose this weekend.
“Remi is still very sore, so they are going to assess him over the next day or two,” manager Scott Kellacher said.
“Hopefully the injury settles down with a couple of good days’ rest. It is a ‘wait and see’ game at the minute.”
Administration-hit Caley Thistle’s tight squad is already without five others through injury - Jake Davidson, Keith Bray, Lewis Nicolson, Connall Ewan and Charlie Reilly.
Only six substitutes were listed at Cove, where Kellacher experienced his most frustrating day since taking the job six weeks ago.
Referee Gary Hanvidge’s penalty call left a sour taste in the mouths of the travelling contingent, particularly as the assistant referee close to the incident appeared to flag for a corner.
Kellacher, who was pleased with Caley Jags’ first half dominance, admitted: “Listen, I don’t think we played well in the second half, but we were still in the game and it was looking like extra time.
“Honestly, I don’t know what the referee has seen. I went in to try and have a conversation with him after the game, but he wasn’t having it.
“I just wanted to understand why he’s given it, why he’s taken so long to give it, and why his linesman is pointing for a corner.
“I’m baffled. I just don’t know where (Danny Devine) is meant to put (his arm) when the boy is striking it so powerfully.
“I am still very angry, but I have to watch what I say.”
Kellacher, though, praised his players’ commitment and endeavour, adding: “We saw it yet again. They give me that every single day. What I see on match-day is no different from the training ground.
“They are good, honest hard-working boys and we saw that in abundance again at Cove, which just makes what happened at the end all the tougher to take.
“They were all just shattered by it after the game.”
