Recruits excite Draper for ICT’s thrilling run-in
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ROSS Draper tips new Caley Thistle recruits to add vital spark as the Highlanders hunt success on two fronts.
ICT are firmly in the driving seat to secure at least a third spot finish in the Scottish Premiership and face a trip to Hampden to face Celtic in the William Hill Scottish Cup semis on April 18 or 19.
Even a fourth place league finish could be enough to bring European football to the Highlands for the first time, but midfielder Draper says the players are only looking as far as facing Partick Thistle in Glasgow this weekend.
Nigerian striker Edward Ofere and Estonian forward Tarmo Kink joined the club recently and their performances whet Draper’s appetite.
ICT, who saw off Raith Rovers 1-0 last week to seal their semi-final spot, had no game at the weekend as scheduled opponents Dundee United lost to Celtic in Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final.
Now midfielder Draper is ready for action.
He said: "The lads needed a break. It was nice to get away and recharge the batteries because we have a big 10 (league) games to come. All the lads look sharp in training this week. We will now split the last part of the season into sections. It’s important that we hit the ground running with these remaining games with 30 points to play for.
"While it was nice to recharge the batteries, it was nice to do so on the back of the Scottish Cup win against Raith Rovers to reach the semi-final. It’s an exciting time at the club. It’s better than struggling and waiting for the season to end. We are all looking forward to it.
"Eddie has come in and was chucked in at the deep end in our games against Motherwell and Raith. He took his goal very well against Motherwell and played well against Raith. He offers us a different option in terms of how we play. He is a big presence up front alongside Marley Watkins.
"Tarmo has also looked very sharp in training. You can tell his quality instantly. He has a great left foot and excellent technique. He’s been very lively. It’s exciting for us to play alongside these boys and they will give us something different hopefully in the games to come."
Europa League football is firmly within reach for ICT and vice skipper Graeme Shinnie recently admitted not qualifying from this position would mean they would only have themselves to blame having come to close before.
Draper warns, however, that it’s a dangerous game to look too far in front.
He explained: "You can sit down and look at what we could achieve here and what’s possible for us between now and the end of the season. We won’t do that though. We will take it game by game. We know what lies ahead for us, including a big semi-final, but now every game matters for us. You get the buzz as a player and that’s what football’s all about."
Saturday’s hosts Partick beat Caley Thistle 3-1 and 4-0 in the league earlier in the season before John Hughes’ team gained revenge in the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 Firhill triumph.
Former Macclesfield Town play-maker Draper is certainly not under-estimating the Glasgow Jags.
He stressed: "Partick are tough opponents and I don’t understand why they are down in ninth place and struggling. On their day, they are a great side and they showed that last weekend in their 3-0 win against a really good St Johnstone side. We know what they are capable of."
