INVERNESS ARE REAPING THE REWARDS OF THE MALPAS EFFECT
IT has been all hands to the pump for a reinvigorated Inverness during their battle to beat the drop. But veteran defender Kevin McNaughton has revealed that a man only just brought into the fold has also been playing a major part in trying to ensure the Highlanders remain in the Premiership. Ex-Scotland and Dundee United defender Maurice Malpas returned to the coaching staff before the league split just a few weeks ago. And although his first game back ended in a demoralising 4-0 derby defeat to Ross County, both McNaughton and boss Richie Foran have admitted the 54-year-old’s experience is proving invaluable in breathing some fresh life into their bid to avoid relegation. Last weekend’s 2-1 home victory over Hamilton, which was just Caley Thistle’s second win in 24 league matches, is now being viewed as a potential launchpad to safety. ‘Maurice has bags of experience,’ said 34-year-old McNaughton. ‘Any input he brings is important to the likes of myself and the rest of the boys. There are obviously a couple of inexperienced lads, as well. He will have a big influence on them. ‘We were working on certain things at the back and he was keeping an eye on everything with a fresh pair of eyes. He hasn’t seen what has gone on earlier in the season, so things like that can be invaluable. Hopefully, it proves to be in the end.’ Malpas’s appointment was prompted by the board, but Foran has only praise for the work being carried out by the ex-Motherwell manager, who previously served as Terry Butcher’s No2 at Caley Thistle. Foran said: ‘He’s very level-headed and never gets too high or too low. He has great football knowledge — he was a wonderful defender and has worked with our defenders over the last few weeks. I’ve taken the strikers with Brian (Rice).
‘Everyone is doing their bit. To be able to bring Maurice in on the defensive side is a huge coup and he has done a great job.’ Inverness could have been relegated last Saturday, but the win over Accies has given them an unexpected lifeline ahead of today’s trip to Kilmarnock. With Hamilton and Motherwell playing each other, a win at Rugby Park would leave them either one or two points adrift going into the final two matches. ‘If we get something at Killie, it would certainly put us in the mix again,’ said McNaughton. ‘We need to find a level of consistency to do it.’ Meanwhile, Kilmarnock caretaker boss Lee McCulloch has urged his team to bat off the threat of relegation today and allow him to finally thrash out his future with the board. In charge since Lee Clark left in February, he has refused to enter talks about taking the job on full-time until the threat of relegation is gone. McCulloch, whose team need just a point at home today to stave off the drop, said: ‘It’s best for everyone that we don’t get sidetracked and lose focus. Let’s get safe and then sit down. If it’s meant to be, it is. If it isn’t, it isn’t.’