Relegation rivals should fear us now, says Richie

RICHIE FORAN last night claimed Inverness’s win over Hamilton will have spread fear among the club’s relegation rivals.

Caley Thistle went into the weekend knowing a combination of results could see them relegated with three games to go but, instead, the Premiership’s bottomplaced club turned in a battling and dominant performance that took them to within four points of a play-off spot.

‘It’s a start but it is only going to get harder,’ said the Irishman (above). ‘Anyone watching us today will give us a bit more respect but I’d be worried if I was other clubs around us.

‘We only needed that win to kick on and now we’re out for another one next week.’

Angered by a 4-0 defeat to Ross County in their previous fixture, Foran had challenged his players to man up and they responded by peppering the Hamilton goal during a one-sided first half, eventually emerging as 2-1 winners.

‘I’m delighted with the lads and proud of them,’ he added. ‘It was an aggressive performance. The players turned up. Players who didn’t think they needed to head the ball and tackle, they tackled and headed the ball today.

‘They fought their corners and won their individual battles.

‘We were aggressive from start to finish and created chances. We dominated — it was a great performance.’

Gary Warren and Ross Draper were recalled to the team and turned in excellent individual performances.

‘We saw the real Gary Warren and Ross Draper today,’ said Foran.

Most impressive of all was Draper’s midfield sidekick Greg Tansey, who set up Brad McKay’s opening goal and scored the second from the penalty spot.

The midfielder is due to join Aberdeen this summer after signing a pre-contract with the club and admits he has been spurred on by those who have doubted his commitment to his current side.

‘A few people have been questioning my loyalty to the club which is understandable,’ he said. ‘Before the game, I thought I had to answer a few questions and I feel I did that.’

The victory was just the fifth of Inverness’s league season and they have now targeted a sixth away to Kilmarnock next weekend.

‘We knew it was now or never,’ added Tansey. ‘That’s been drummed into us this week. We’ve three cup finals to go.’