Relegation not an option for Greg Tansey as Caley Thistle form comes before future
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BEING part of a relegation team is not an option for Greg Tansey – regardless of what happens with his future.
Tansey is out of contract at the end of the season and while not committing either way on his own plans yet, insists that whatever happens he does not want to play a role in a Caley Thistle relegation.
The midweek 4-0 defeat to Celtic dampened some of the momentum built up by promising results against Hearts and Rangers, which Tansey played key roles in.
Alongside Josh Meekings, Lewis Horner, Alex Fisher, Henri Anier and Louis Laing, he is out of contract at the end of the campaign. He stated earlier in the season that at that time, he was not looking to sign an extension.
Following the Celtic game, he spoke candidly about his relationship with the club and the city, putting it in plain terms he does not want to have something as negative as a relegation on his CV.
“My prime target is to have us as high up the league as we can be. The rest will happen when it happens,” said Tansey.
“But I love that dressing room and I’ve grown fond of this place. I’m not going to let outside factors stand in the way of my performances.
“I’ve told other people the same. My prime objective is to have us as high up the table as we can, then whatever happens happens.
“It’s been like a second home up here. I’ve never had an affinity with a changing room like this. You don’t want to leave on a bad note.
“I’ve been part of a lot of good things here and I don’t want to be part of anything bad.”
The midfielder responded strongly to criticism earlier in the season to accusations that he was a “money-grabber”, over his stance on a new contract. It is a label that flies in the face of his public affections towards Caley Thistle.
His performances have certainly never lacked for effort and that does not look to change any time soon, for the man who his enjoying his second spell at the Caledonian Stadium.
“What kind of guy would I be to down tools? It’s not my style. I couldn’t do that if I tried,” said Tansey, who signed his last deal in 2015.
“My prime objective is to get us as high up the table as possible.
“There’s something about the atmosphere here. It’s a small city, you see people around and make friends. It’s been like a second home up here. I’ve never had an affinity with a changing room like this. Even the supporters, you see them round the town and they’re great. They support us through thick and thin.
“It’s pride as a professional as well. You don’t want to be part of anything like that and do your utmost to stop that happening. I’ve got a lot of confidence from the last few games and even though it wasn’t good enough for us on Wednesday night, it’s not going to define our season.”
With games against the champions, Rangers and Hearts out of the way, the Caley Jags now have Partick, Ross County and Kilmarnock coming up in their next three. These are the fixtures that will determine where the Highland capital club end up come May when the Premiership’s relegation fates are decided.
“They are massive games – Partick Thistle and Ross County, with two wins that sees up there,” said Tansey. “We’re not accepting anything else. What we showed against Hearts and Rangers, we’re more than capable of getting two wins. We might get this weekend off but we’ll be back in working hard and we’ll see what the plan is. You can’t affect the fixtures, they are set in stone so you roll with it. If you had a game or not, you’ve got to take the positives and be ready for Saturday.”
Commonplace in the last three games has been a Caley Thistle midfield that has at least looked more balanced than it has done for the majority of the season.
Richie Foran has moved Ross Draper back into an anchoring role, giving greater protection to the back four and freeing up Tansey to influence the game further forward.
It is a position that has brought the best out of the former Stockport man in seasons’ past, rather than a more defensive role that he has been deployed in over the last 12 months.
“I can see a better shape to the midfield. It feels familiar. I’m in a position where I like to be, where I can influence the game, whether that’s with goals or passing,” said Tansey.
“I’ll do whatever I can for the team. I’ll play defensively if that’s what they want, which I have this season, but it’s more of my position being freed up. Ross Draper is great in behind and it is a better shape.”
