Richie wants to win it for everyone at Caley Thistle - Draper
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RICHIE Foran needs no extra incentive to win his first Highland derby as manager.
Ever popular with the boo-boys at Ross County, the jibes towards Foran from the visiting faithful are unlikely to dim, even with his transition from the pitch to the dugout.
However, Ross Draper, who has played alongside Foran in Highland derby victories for the Caley Jags, believes the former skipper will be desperate to ensure he gets one over Jim McIntyre’s side.
"He knows from playing, from the passion he used to play with, that there’s no love lost between him and the fans of Ross County," said Draper, who scored in the last meeting between the two sides in April. "He’ll want to do it for the boys, club and supporters – we’re all pulling in the same direction and hopefully on Saturday night we can all celebrate a derby victory."
Draper has only lost one derby out of 12 in his four years in the Highlands – the New Year’s Day derby in 2014 that the Staggies edged 2-1 – and scored in his first one in a 3-1 Caley Thistle win.
The game takes on an added edge with both teams having lost their opening league fixture, with the Caley Jags also going down to Alloa Athletic in midweek to exit the Betfred Cup.
McIntyre was in the stands at the Indodrill Stadium to witness Inverness’ exit, at the same venue where County’s own ambitions of retaining the League Cup ended last month.
But rather than be a game where players will feel the extra pressure, Draper has embraced the ferocity of the Highland derbies and insists they are occasions to be relished. I like the games and the battles we have against them – I’ve loved every one throughout my four seasons up here," said Draper.
"We’ve always been on a level playing field. There’s not much between the two sides results-wise. They’re always close games and hopefully it’s more of the same.
"We’ve got the edge being at home and we’ve got to get back to playing good football."
