Inverness Caledonian Thistle have learned lessons from League Cup defeat to Raith Rovers
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Mark Ridgers says Inverness Caledonian Thistle learned their lesson against Raith Rovers in the League Cup to ensure there will be no heartache when the two teams meet tomorrow.
Caley Thistle were minutes away from victory in Kirkcaldy earlier this month before a late equaliser from Manny Duku brought the game to a penalty shoot-out which saw Raith win 3–2.
The two teams will clash at the Caledonian Stadium in the Championship and Ridgers says the team have been working hard to ensure there is no repeat performance.
“We know what to expect, I don’t see them changing as much as what they did in the League Cup,” he said.
“They might bring in different personnel but we have an idea of what we need to do.
“In training, we are working on ways to stop them hitting us on the counter attack like they did to us in the League Cup game.
“They are there for the taking, we are two teams who like to attack but we need to move it better and be more solid.”
Striker Duku, who scored twice in the previous encounter, will be Raith Rovers’ main threat up front.
Former Ross County midfielder Daniel Armstrong was also impressive at Stark’s Park.
Ridgers respects how good Raith are as an attacking force this season, which has fired them to the top of the table.
“When you look at the results they have had, they are a team with no fear at the moment.
“They have carried on from how they played in League One into the Championship this season. Going forward, their attacking movement is really good.
“They have good quick players and the big thing is the style of play that John McGlynn has got them playing, they are all embedded into that.
“The League Cup game was difficult and it was good to get a sneak preview to see what they’re all about.”
Caley Thistle will have a two-week break after Saturday as they have been knocked out of the League Cup.
Ridgers says the players recognise the importance of a positive result before going into the break as well as it being the first game fans are allowed back into the Caledonian Stadium.
“The next group of games it is important to bag as much points as we possibly can to put us in the mix again,” he said.
“But when you see the table, it is early days and it is really tight.”
