INVERNESS HAVE THE EDGE, SAYS CHERRY

Former Caley Jags and St Johnstone midfielder Paul Cherry reckons the Highlanders go into tonight’s Premiership playoff final as the favourites.

While the bookies back the Premiership’s 11thplaced finishers to edge out Inverness over the two legs, Spain-based Cherry is not so sure.

Eight wins and just one defeat in their last 12 fixtures compare with four Saints victories over the same spell.

Caley Thistle, with nine men on the pitch, defeated Arbroath on penalties in a drama-filled night at Gayfield last Friday.

On Sunday, St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson’s muchchanged side slid to a 4-0 loss at Hibs as their poor season fizzled out.

It’s a far cry from the previous year when the Perth club stunned Scottish football by winning the Scottish and League Cups.

Cherry left Saints in 1996 for three years at ICT, which included him helping to win promotion from the ‘old’ Third Division, now called League Two.

He believes Billy Dodds’ men should be fancying their chances in current form.

He said: “I would actually put Inverness as the favourites because they have come off a decent run of form.

“The St Johnstone players right now can’t be in the highest of confidence – not when you have won just one in your last six.

“I think if Inverness can take something from Friday’s game and take that to McDiarmid Park, they have a chance.

“At Perth, if they can then keep it tight for the first half an hour, the St Johnstone fans will get on their team’s back.

“Having the first leg at home gives Inverness the chance to put themselves into a good position.

“If Inverness do get a victory on Friday, the pressure will really be on St Johnstone.

“The Saints supporters are a bit disillusioned with the team. Hopefully it will be a really good final.

“It will be a really tight game, for sure. It’s a big match for both clubs – it’s make or break.

“Players don’t need motivation for games such as this one. Players at clubs like St Johnstone and Inverness are playing for their livelihoods.”