Keeping cool can keep ICT in front - Foran
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RICHIE Foran reckons that cool heads over the years has served Caley Thistle well in the derby battles against Ross County.
And the Inverness CT manager believes that factor again can be the difference tomorrow when the sides meet in the Ladbrokes Premiership at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
The Caley Jags won all three league tussles against the Dingwall side and over the years their record against their neighbours is 26 wins compared to 12, with 13 draws in for good measure.
It’s Foran’s first taste of north rivalry between the clubs since he replaced John Hughes in May and he believes the mental calmness within his group can help improving that record.
He explained: "It’s still early days. This is only the second league game of the season.
"You won’t be relegated if you lose this one, nor will you go on and win the league if you win this game, so early stages. You have to stay calm and collected. Obviously losing the first game of the season (against Partick Thistle) was not great, but there is loads of football still to be played.
"It’s a great record. We don’t want to say too much to get them fired up for Saturday. We know we are up against a talented squad, who have signed well. Yes, they have signed a couple of players and Jim has done a great job at Ross County. He’s a very likeable guy and he has the whole club behind him.
"The players like him and buy into his ideas, so they are in a good place. They haven’t started as well as they would have liked, but we will be up against a really strong side.
"We have some really good characters in this squad, who are leaders. They will be fired up in their own way, but I have always felt going into these games that we were always that bit more relaxed. Maybe we felt we had a mental edge over them.
"We have some really good characters in this squad, who are leaders. They will be fired up in their own way, but I have always felt going into these games that we were always that bit more relaxed. Maybe we felt we had a mental edge over them."
And how about Foran himself, will he be measured on the sidelines?
"I will be calm, like I have been so far. I am enjoying it. The defeats have been hard to take, but they are in the past now. We always look forward at this club. I won’t be looking to get on the park. I am enjoying it on the sidelines," he said.
County lost their first game of the season, 3-1 at home Dundee last weekend, while Caley Thistle kicked off with a 2-0 loss at Partick Thistle.
Foran’s team also crashed out of the Betfred Cup on Tuesday, with the 1-0 defeat at League One Alloa thanks to Jason Marr’s goal making it a Highland double for the in-form Wasps after the knocked holders County out recently too.
Foran, meanwhile, also ran the rule over former Hibs, Dundee United and Falkirk forward Farid El Alagui in a 5-0 friendly run out at Clach on Wednesday and Foran said: "We are having a look at him. He has been out injured for a while, but he looked good on Wednesday and scored a couple of goals.
"He’s a really good footballer. He has good game awareness and brings players into play. He is great with crosses in the box and is aggressive in the air. We will look at him over the next week. He won’t be included on Saturday."
Keeper Ryan Esson is available again for ICT, but Josh Meekings won’t make it, despite coming close from a return from injury.
