Four things to take away from Inverness Caley Thistle's draw with Dundee in the Scottish Championship
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle's already faint hopes of lifting the Scottish Championship title came to an end after a 1-1 draw with leaders Dundee.
A disjointed first half left the match in the balance, before Lyall Cameron's backheel sent the ball past Mark Ridgers and into the ICT net after the restart.
Caley Thistle head coach Billy Dodds had to adjust accordingly to try and earn more control of the match, and two of his substitutes linked up for an equaliser as great individual work from Daniel MacKay teed up Austin Samuels for a back-post finish.
While the point mathematically ended the Caley Jags' chances of reaching the table's summit, they are still in control of their play-off fate – and of course, they have a Scottish Cup semi final to look forward to next week.
Ahead of such a big game, then, here are four things to take away from the Dundee draw featuring post-match reaction from Billy Dodds and Daniel MacKay.
Scrappy days
One feature of Caley Thistle's matches in recent weeks has been the tendency to have a spell where play descends into plenty of scrappiness.
There could be various reasons for it. At Cove the pitch could have some of the blame, the pressure of what is on the line could have come into play in more than one of those games, and it could also just be a long season simply starting to catch up with everyone.
In all likelihood the disjointed play is probably down to some combination of those factors, but those spells are not necessarily an issue.
It is the classic situation – win, and those moments will be long forgotten. Lose, and they will be used as evidence of a side not playing well.
Draw and, well, it depends on if you think it was a good point or not.
Daniel MacKay's thoughts: "Both teams have a lot to play for at this time of the year. That was our second last league game, so there's a lot of pressures for different reasons.
"We're trying to keep ourselves cemented in those play-offs spots, and Dundee are going for the title. At the time, the game probably wasn't the greatest viewing, but it was probably a good point for both teams.
"In the last half an hour we kicked on a wee bit after getting the goal back, and there probably only looked like one winner at that point. We need to be like that for the full game, but it's tough on the boys after so many games."
Tactical fluidity
Inverness went through three formations in the space of about 10 minutes before they got their equalising goal.
Starting in their traditional 4-2-3-1, they then tweaked it to shape up in a slightly more defensive 4-3-3, finishing with a 4-4-2.
That unpredictability would have kept Dundee on their toes, and perhaps contributed to getting back on level terms.
We have also seen ICT play with three at the back at times this season, so with players back to fitness Dodds clearly has plenty of options – both in terms of formation and personnel – to take into a potential play-off campaign to keep opponents guessing.
Billy Dodds' thoughts: "I think it gave them more of a problem defensively.
"It's hard work for Billy with the amount of games he's had and the age he's at to get about for the full 90 minutes. He did that on Tuesday night and got the winner, but when you've got two speed merchants up front defences tend to deepen.
"My subs gave us the spark we needed. I don't think there were many chances in the game, so a draw was fair, but my subs made the difference today. That's all they can do – come on and do something."
Bouncebackability
It's not news to anyone that Caley Thistle have come from behind to get a multitude of results this season.
In total, Inverness have taken points on 12 occasions where they have at one stage been losing – just under half of the matches they have earned points from in the league – and then you can add in Scottish Cup matches against Stirling Albion and Kilmarnock too.
There is a real resilience in the squad this season, which has been needed given the trials and tribulations they have faced.
It was notable speaking to Nathan Shaw before the Dundee clash that he seemed totally nonplussed by the idea ICT might go behind in a match – and why would he given they've rescued situations so often?
Sometimes it's not pretty viewing, but the way the Highlanders have been playing over the last few months, there is always reason to believe that they will come good in the end.
Billy Dodds thoughts: "The amount of times we've had to come from behind and the run we've put together, coming from behind against Dundee, we've given ourselves a chance of getting to the play-offs and a national final.
"The positives coming out of this club are incredible. Sometimes you've got to sit back and take stock of what we've achieved this season off the back of that run of injuries – it's nothing short of phenomenal.
"I can't praise my players any more than I have already, it's a remarkable feat and it's down to them. I give them the information, but they have to do it, and they have over the last month or so. It's been brilliant."
The situation at the top
The draw ended any slight chance the Caley Jags had of ending the season as champions.
Second is now something of a long shot too – sitting three points behind Queen's Park having played a game more – but it is not out of the question.
Queen's Park have Morton and Dundee to play before the end of the campaign, while ICT have Ayr on the final day. If Queen's Park lose both their matches and Inverness win, it would take an eight-goal swing for Caley Thistle to finish second.
Realistically, Billy Dodds' side should be looking to secure a play-off place at any position, even if it would be an uphill battle to earn promotion from third or fourth – as they found out first-hand last year.
The good news is, the situation remains in their hands. Beat Ayr United on the final day, and Inverness will be in the play-offs.
It may not even take that much, so Caley Thistle fans should be confident of extending their season, at least for a little bit.
Daniel MacKay's thoughts: "If you had told us four weeks ago that it would be in our hands to get in the play-offs, people probably would have laughed.
"People would have brushed us aside, but we've shown what the gaffer has been saying all year – once we get a fully fit squad and have boys that can come off the bench, we can move up the league.
"Look what's happened in this quarter of the season, we've had everyone for the first time this year and we've put eight wins together. That says it all. We've really kicked on now, and we're in a good place, so we've just got to carry that on."
