Doran is just delighted as Caley make their charge
AARON DORAN has warned his promotion rivals they face a tough job stopping Inverness CT from surging through the play-offs.
Securing a Scottish Cup semifinal spot has proved no distraction for John Robertson’s on-form side, whose 2-1 success at Partick on Friday saw them climb into fourth place.
Doran (below) struck the opener then teed up Tom Walsh for the winner with a clever flick on 81 minutes to move to within a point of Ayr United.
Inverness now have three home league games — against Alloa, Falkirk and Ross County — before tackling Hearts on Saturday, April 6 at Hampden.
Doran believes his side will be jockeying for high rank in the play-off pecking order by the time their big Glasgow date comes around.
Inverness left it all too late last season, finishing fifth, two points adrift of the promotion mix despite an 11-match unbeaten run to round off the campaign.
However, they are looming large in the play-off picture now with eight games to play.
‘If we keep playing the way we are then I don’t think many teams are a match for us in the league,’ said the Irish winger.
‘We are now looking at — and aiming for — a good play-off position, pushing for third or second. We’re in a much better position this year playing better football with better personnel.
‘There is a buzz again about Inverness. At the start of the season, with all the draws, it was a bit hard for everyone to get going.
‘Now, by getting to another Scottish Cup semi-final and performing in the league like we are, we have a real push on now.
‘We’ve home games coming up but haven’t been too good in the last few months at home. We want to play better than we have been and get wins on the board.’
Doran took until December 22 to register a league goal but his strike at Firhill was his 10th in all competitions, including the late quarter-final winner at Tannadice.
A catalogue of knee problems over two years inflicted lengthy periods of inactivity and suffering for Doran. But it is clear the 27-year-old is back to his best form and proving a handful for second-tier defences.
‘I feel I’m playing as well as I have done for years,’ he said. ‘I’m over the injuries now, I feel sharp, I’m making some good scoring runs and that’s me double figures for the season now.’