Going the distance
Fans’ 470-mile trek inspires Mark to keep going INVERNESS v DUNDEE U
MARK RIDGERS caught sight of the 31 hardy souls who followed Inverness on a 468-mile round trip in midweek and knew they had to go the distance.
Now he wants to reward Caley Thistle’s dedicated fans again by motoring to within a point of the league summit.
Ridgers and Co did not return home until after 3am on Wednesday morning after beating Queen of the South on a freezing night in Dumfries.
Just why they were asked to make the journey in midweek is anyone’s guess.
The players have grown used to clocking up the miles in an unforgiving fixture list but it is the supporters who have driven them on.
Keeper Ridgers said: “It’s the commitment of the fans here that makes you even more determined – you don’t want to let them down.
“We were down at Dumfries on a Tuesday night – the longest journey possible in this league – and we’ve got 31 supporters there.
“Every player appreciated them being there and while they were small in number they made themselves heard.
“They helped us through it and we got a great result that puts us back on track.
“But it was a long day for everyone. We left at 12 in the afternoon on the day and got home after 3am the next day. Those kinds of trips certainly create a strong team spirit although let me tell you we’ve got that anyway.
“But with that kind of journey the boys are playing quiz games on the bus and just trying to find things to do for the four-hour journey.
“Team spirit this season is very good and that’s massive. The players do a lot together, the families too.
“You can see that with results. We’re quick to bounce back after disappointments.
“We did it again on Tuesday after Saturday’s defeat at Morton.”
Dundee United crushed them 4-1 at Tannadice on the opening day but Caley Thistle have done well to regroup ahead of today’s reunion.
The potential points swing this weekend makes it all the more significant but Ridgers stressed it is still early days.
The 29-year-old, from Inverness, said: “Any game’s important to win. To beat a good Queen of the South side set us up nicely for Saturday although no one’s getting carried away.
“It’s only 11 games in but if we beat United then we give ourselves the chance to keep fighting for the title.
“The first game of the season was a sore one but from that we went on a good run.
“We just need to focus on ourselves. If we have a setback then we make sure we get it right next time.
“Now it’s really important we get results against the teams who are beside us.”
The Tangerines dug deep to grind out a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle on Tuesday as they remained three points clear of the chasing pack.
Defender Liam Smith admits they were far from at their best but has no issue with winning ugly once again.
He said: “It was a battle. We knew the importance of winning that fight and spoke about it at half-time as well as before the game.
“Thistle are a better side than their league position would suggest.
“It wasn’t a night for pretty football but we knew if we dug in there was every chance of getting three points.
“As we get into the winter months there are going to be more games like that where we need to dig it out.
“It is not going to be an easy game at all in Inverness.
“It is always tough to go up there but we will be looking to make it a great week – three out of three.”