Charlie Gilmour credits dad with Airdrieonians wonderstrike – but admits Inverness Caley Thistle need to improve quickly ahead of trip to Dundee and start of the Championship season
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Charlie Gilmour says his dad deserves credit for his wonderstrike against Airdrieonians – but admits it would have felt all the sweeter if the goal had been accompanied by three points.
The 24-year-old opened his account for the Caley Jags in emphatic fashion, volleying in from a full 30 yards out on Tuesday night.
At the time, it looked as though that might spark a comeback from Inverness against Airdrie, bringing ICT back to within a goal of the Championship newcomers.
Billy Mckay would go on to level the scores with a record-breaking penalty, but in the end it would be the visitors celebrating at the Caledonian Stadium thanks to a late winner from former Caley Thistle striker Nikolay Todorov.
"I've only scored a goal like that up the park when I've been practising," Gilmour explained.
"My dad and I have been out a lot in the off-season doing a lot of work on shooting from distance, so I'll give him credit for that.
"It would have been better if I'd have scored and we'd gone on to win the game. In the first half we weren't great, we sat off Airdrie too much.
"In the second half, we came into our own and changed it a bit tactically and pressed them higher up the park. We got more joy on the ball higher up the pitch.
"We managed to get back in the game then we switched off for their third goal."
Defeat meant that Inverness could not qualify from their League Cup group, leaving Sunday's final fixture against Dundee a meaningless one from the Highlanders' point of view.
Airdrie provided a taste of what ICT can expect from the Championship, which begins next week.
Gilmour, though, is in no doubt that improvements are needed from Caley Thistle if they are to fulfil their ambitions this season.
"We were 2-0 down at home – we shouldn't be, no matter who we're playing against," he reasoned.
"We were second best all over the pitch. We reacted well and got back into the game. It was just unfortunate that we didn't get the third goal.
"The crowd were getting right behind us and I felt like we'd be pushing for the winner.
"We had more of the ball and created a few chances. I had a few other chances I could have maybe put away, so it was disappointing because we've lost again.
"It was the first Championship team we've played this season and the challenges will only get tougher.
"We will see how we do at Dundee on Sunday. We can't qualify, but hopefully we can start to build a winning momentum ahead of starting our league season next week against Queen's Park.
"We will be the same as usual and try to play with no fear. We can try a few things and boys will play with less pressure on their shoulders, so hopefully we can get a positive result and performance."
