Inverness Caley Thistle midfielder keen to avenge Partick Thistle horror show
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RODDY MacGregor insists August’s Firhill fright night will only strengthen Caley Thistle’s determination to turn the tables on Partick Thistle tomorrow.
The previous meeting in Glasgow brought a thumping 4-1 defeat, with manager Billy Dodds lamenting the way his team “folded” in front of the live cameras, ranking it as one of the worst displays of his managerial tenure.
The fact it played out in front of an audience watching from home only exacerbated the Inverness team’s hurt and embarrassment over the performance.
MacGregor, back in contention for a start after a month out with torn ankle ligaments, is simply itching to put it right in Inverness with the television cameras present again.
Asked if memories of the 4–1 battering would give the team extra motivation, MacGregor replied: “It was a sore one, to say the least. All the boys were hurting really badly after that game.
“This Friday is a chance to put it right and show that the August one was just a really poor performance and not characteristic of this team in any way, shape or form.”
None of that detracts from MacGregor’s appreciation of Partick, the current league leaders, as dangerous opponents.
But last season’s six meetings between the clubs brought only one defeat for Inverness among three victories, including back-to-back wins in the play-offs.
Partick have won nine and drawn three of 14 outings in all competitions so far this season, and also rank as the Championship’s leading scorers to date, but there will certainly be no fear or inferiority complex in Caley Jags’ ranks.
“We know they are really good going forward. They’ve got a solid midfield as well,” the 20-year-old stressed. “They’re a good all-round team and we know it will be a tough game. It has always tended to be a tight affair against them, bar that 4–1 defeat.
“That day we were just massively off the pace, but we know we can perform far better than that.
“We know we can beat them if we play to our best.
“With a good few days behind me this week, hopefully I’ll be ready if called upon.”
