What did Duncan Ferguson say as Caley Thistle reached the play-off final?
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Manager Duncan Ferguson says Inverness Caledonian Thistle had to overcome their nerves to get past Montrose and reach the Championship play-off final.
They will now face Hamilton Academical in the final after they defeated Alloa Athletic 3-2 in the second leg and won 5-4 on aggregate.
Ferguson says it was a disappointing first half from his team and they had to up their game in the second half to seal victory.
“It is always nervy on a big occasion like this, when you are 1-0 up you are always nervous because you can’t get the second goal.
“It was a nervous day, we dominated the game without creating many chances, we weren’t good enough to break them down until Cammy Harper hit the post and we got the goal from the set play.
We didn’t look creative in the final third. But for the goal we were in the right position and got a good run in front of Wallace Duffy, good first contact and Billy is there like all good strikers are.
“We are worthy winners but until you get the second goal you are always going to be nervous.”
Ferguson was also pleased to see the return of Charlie Gilmour who came on in the second half.
“It was absolutely terrific to have Charlie back - he’s so important to me.
“I’ve had a lot of injuries and Charlie's my main quarter-back in there, dictating play for me.
“I thought he came on and showed his experience. I was desperate to get him on because he is a good player and a warrior.
“You can trust Charlie 100 per cent. It was lovely to see him back.”
However, Ferguson fears Sean Mcallister will miss the play-off final after being taken off injured early in the second half.
He said: “It looks bad, it looks like the same injury, but I have been in the game long enough to know. Unfortunately for the kid it is the same injury.”
Inverness now face Hamilton Academical in the final with the first leg at New Douglas Park on Wednesday and the second leg on Saturday.
Looking ahead to the game, he said: ““It looks like they’ve had a tough couple of games with Alloa, who got a man sent off as well.
“Hamilton were the second best team in that division and they deserve to be there.
“It’s going to be tough - there are no easy games.”.
