Cup win can put us in league of our own
Hat-trick hero Mckay targets a return to top flight
BILLY MCKAY is convinced Caley Thistle’s minor cup progress can help them achieve major success in the league.
The Highlanders are now in their fifth season outside the Premiership and eager to seal a triumphant return under Billy Dodds.
During a table-topping start, goalscorer Mckay has had to mainly watch from the sidelines as Manny Duku and Shane Sutherland command starting places in attack.
But Saturday’s hat-trick away to Elgin City will give Dodds a big call to make for next weekend’s tussle with Morton.
Mckay, who won a Championship and Challenge Cup double with Ross County in 2018/19, reckons this year’s competition could be vital in boosting promotion momentum.
Ther 32-year-old Northern Ireland international said: “I definitely think this win and this cup can help us build momentum.
“Every game you go into, you want to win – and winning becomes a habit in the end. The more you win, the more confident you get for the next Saturday and that’s what we’re doing at the minute. We’ll come again next week.”
A header and two left-foot strikes from Mckay steered Caley Thistle back on the straight and narrow after a terrible start in a derby-like atmosphere at Elgin’s Borough Briggs ground.
The noisy home following scented blood from the off and a Tom Grivosti header in nine minutes and a ferocious Brian Cameron finish after 21 minutes raised the League Two side’s hopes of a Challenge Cup upset in their last-16 clash.
Crucially, Mckay struck back superbly from the edge of the box after 37 minutes and then, less than 90 seconds later, added an equaliser with his head from Wallace Duffy’s cross and Reece McAlear’s flick-on.
Mckay then drove in his third through a crowded penalty area after 67 minutes before McAlear sent St Mirren loanee Lewis Jamieson in behind the Elgin defence for a lovely clipped finish past the outcoming keeper.
Mckay said: “They caught us on the break twice but we stuck at it and we probably could have won by more in the end.
“Elgin made a tie out of it, which was great for the fans.
“We don’t want to concede goals like that but it was great character coming back to get the four goals and we’re in the next round.”
Mckay reckons he has given Dodds a selection headache for next week, with Jamieson also staking a claim.
He added: “I’ve had to be patient. The team’s been doing well obviously, but I’ve shown the manager what I can do so, hopefully, I can get back in the team and help them score goals.
“But I know the lads have been great so far this season. They had a little blip last week – but we just need to put that behind us, win again, and go again next week.
“It was also a great strike by Lewis. He’s obviously knocking on the door as well, so we have great options.”