The Scottish Mail on Sunday

My players lacked ‘courage’ and

- By Jim Black

INVERNESS manager Richie Foran launched an astonishin­g post-match attack on his players, accusing them of lacking ‘courage and confidence’ as the crisis at Caledonian Stadium deepened.

Furious Foran also questioned his part in the team’s headlong plunge towards the Championsh­ip, apologisin­g to their fans at the same time.

The Highlander­s are now four points adrift of Hamilton and Motherwell with six matches left.

The home suffered a dramatic late collapse following Larnell Cole’s sending-off with nine minutes remaining after dominating much of the match.

Their misery was then compounded when captain Gary Warren was also red-carded in the tunnel after words with referee Stephen Finnie.

Unfortunat­e to be a goal down to a 40th-minute Steven MacLean strike, Inverness capitulate­d when Cole walked when he remonstrat­ed with the referee after he had been fouled by Liam Craig. The striker was cautioned twice in quick succession, apparently for dissent and his team fell apart.

Carl Tremarco brought down Graham Cummins in the 88th minute and Craig slotted home the penalty in his 300th appearance for the club before Cummins added a third goal in stoppage time.

It was far more than St Johnstone deserved as they closed to within three points of Rangers in third spot in the chase for a European place.

Afterwards, Foran said: ‘That is the first time we’ve really let down our supporters with a lack of passion and desire. That’s a worry.

‘We dominated the first half and had chances to go ahead. St Johnstone had two crosses and scored from one, so we’re not defending well, either.

‘There are no more excuses. It’s not good enough and it’s not good

 ?? ?? SMILING SAINT: Liam Craig is delighted after scoring his side’s second goal
SMILING SAINT: Liam Craig is delighted after scoring his side’s second goal

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