Iain Vigurs benching thoughts on Caley Thistle future ahead of top-six push
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POINTS mean prizes right now for Caley Thistle’s Iain Vigurs – ahead of any talk of a new contract.
With Caley Thistle retaining Greg Tansey, tying up Ross Draper and offering Liam Polworth a new three-year deal, their midfield is beginning to take shape next season and while Vigurs admits he would love to be part of it, contract talks are not the priority right now.
The 1-0 midweek defeat to St Johnstone leaves the Caley Jags in ninth place, three points behind Dundee in sixth. Both Inverness and Partick Thistle have a game in hand on Motherwell (seventh) in the push for a top-six spot but with no wins in their last five and only two goals scored, Vigurs knows they have to up their game against Hamilton Accies tomorrow.
However, with the race for a top-half finish finely poised heading into the last five games before the split Vigurs, who returned for his second spell at Caley Thistle last August, is happy to shelve any contract talks.
“I don’t think the club has spoken to me or my agent. I’m just concentrating on the games ahead,” he said. “You never know in football. If they want to keep me then that’s brilliant. But I’m just focusing on getting points on the board and climbing up the league table.
“The legs are getting a bit tired but that’s good. I’d rather have that than having sore legs from not playing. I’m delighted to be back playing and just want to get that winning feeling back.”
Caley Thistle now face a crucial run of four home games in six that will shape the outcome of their season. After Hamilton’s visit north on Saturday, Hibernian, fresh from their League Cup date with Ross County, will travel to the Highlands for their Scottish Cup quarter-final replay.
What could be a do-or-die derby for a top-six spot takes place in Dingwall on March 19, with potentially just three points separating the rivals when Caley Thistle head over the Kessock Bridge.
A home league double-header comes at the start of the April in the shape of Motherwell and Hearts, before their final pre-split fixture away to Dundee United.
With the side’s momentum slowing over the course of five consecutive away games, Vigurs would settle for any three points that came his side’s way right now.
“It’s now must-win stage. We should have won the game on Wednesday night. There wasn’t a lot of chances in the game so it’s now must-win,” he said. “We need to get back to top form. A few boys might be lethargic with all the games but we need to put that to one side and get the job done.
“We’d take a scrappy win, like the one St Johnstone got the other night. A win is a win, it doesn’t matter how you get it. We need to start climbing the table again.”
Former Ross County midfielder Vigurs has also backed his old side to bring silverware back to the Highlands on Sunday in the League Cup Final.
Vigurs was part of the County team that lost 3-0 to Dundee United in the Scottish Cup Final in 2010 and is confident that with Scott Boyd and Michael Gardyne in the squad – both started at Hampden Park six years ago – lessons will be learned
The majority of players from that season are in a WhatsApp group and have messaged each other regularly about what went wrong against United.
“They’re looking forward to it – I gave them a few pointers after we played them at the weekend,” said Vigurs. “I’ll be wishing them well and hopefully they get a result.
“My advice would be don’t let the occasion get ahead of you. Play your normal game. They’ve got a good side and if they play the way they can, there’s no reason why they can’t win.
“After the buzz of the semi-final in 2010 maybe it was a step too far for us. Dundee United had a really good side with some top players and unfortunately, we didn’t turn up. I’m sure they will on Sunday.”
