Three points against Arbroath is the only focus for Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Neil McCann
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Neil McCann has assured Caley Thistle supporters that tomorrow’s Championship visit of Arbroath is the only match looming large in his thoughts.
It would have been easy this week for chatter around the club’s training ground to turn to next Friday’s Highland derby away to Ross County in the Scottish Cup.
A gritty 3–2 victory away to Buckie Thistle teed up what will be the first meeting of the old foes for almost exactly two years.
Caretaker manager McCann, though, is well aware of the perils of distraction with league aspirations returning to sharp focus this weekend against Dick Campbell’s dangerous part-time team.
“We’ve got a huge game before we even look at the derby in the Scottish Cup,” McCann said. “I believe this is a massive game for Inverness and the boys are fully aware of my thoughts.
“We’ll hopefully have one or two back from injury and there a few bruised and battered, but this is a massive game for the club.
“I hope the fans understand that we recognise that.
“It’s about winning the game first and foremost. If you win the game you step away from the lower end of the table and, then, try to make ground on the ones above you. We’re stuck in the middle ground just now but we have aspirations here of being successful.”
Confidence is building within the camp after three straight wins and McCann believes opponents will be starting to fear them again.
“Over the last few games a bit of belief has come into the team and I always felt, when I came in while John Robertson took time out, that the squad was good enough but was maybe under-performing,” he said.
“In one or two games since I came in they haven’t done themselves justice, so it is pleasing we have a bit of that momentum going. I’m not so sure teams will want to play us now. That’s a sign of how hard the players are working for each other.”
