DON’T LET SECOND CHANCE SLIP BY
Dodds targets final after Spiders reprieve
IN the 1998 romantic comedy Sliding Doors, the simple difference between catching or missing the underground train to work has major ramifications for the life of Gwyneth Paltrow’s leading lady, helen.
In the case of Inverness Caledonian thistle, it was Queen’s Park unwittingly fielding an ineligible player in a 2-0 Scottish Cup win at Caledonian Stadium in January that opened up a parallel universe for the highland club.
Manager Billy Dodds is well aware that his team enjoyed a large slice of good fortune when the administrative error saw the Spiders kicked out of the competition and Caley thistle reinstated. But he is in no doubt that his team has since been the masters of their own destiny, making their own luck with some fine performances against Livingston and Kilmarnock to tee up a last-four clash with League One Falkirk tomorrow.
his team’s run to hampden may have been unorthodox but Dodds feels it is also fully deserved.
‘We’ve had a sliding-doors moment,’ he said. ‘there’s no doubt we were out and we were thinking it was a disappointing cup campaign. We would have liked to have had a wee cup run but it’s gone — and then suddenly you get another chance.
‘When we were allowed back into the competition, I said: “Let’s make the most of it” and that’s what we have done.
‘We deserve to be here. We’ve had to knock out two Premiership clubs to get to the semi-final.
‘We drew Livingston away and that was a toughie. they were going well in the Premiership and we had to go there and beat them and we did. then we got Killie at home and I’m thinking: “It doesn’t get any easier”, but we played really well on the night.
‘We’ve grasped the chance of being back in the competition, so let’s keep it going. that’s what I’ve said to my players.
‘I’m not bothered we got a reprieve. Do we deserve to be in the semi? Absolutely. Do I want to make the final? Of course.
‘We don’t think we are lucky to be here. We have grafted and that’s what fairytales are made of. We hope to continue it.’
tomorrow’s match at the national stadium is a re-run of the 2015 final, which was won 2-1 by Inverness.
It is the first and only major honour in the club’s history and photographs of the heroes of the day — like Ryan Christie, Graeme Shinnie and James Vincent — are festooned on the walls of Caledonian Stadium.
Dodds (right) hopes the striking imagery can inspire the Class of 2023 to book their own place in the final against Celtic or Rangers in June.
‘Most clubs who have had success in cup competitions or other success stick it up on the walls because the new generation of players will see it,’ said Dodds. ‘It’s human nature that you walk past something like that and you think: “I want a piece of that”.
‘Players will realise what can be achieved and how special a day they can have. Players will think: “Give me a bit of that”.
‘I wouldn’t say we are big favourites. Yes, we’re in the league above Falkirk, but they will have a bigger crowd than us and that can be a leveller on the day.
‘there are no favourites in this game. It’s not like the Old Firm are playing a club from League two. It’s going to be tight and a nervous affair.
‘A good team is in front of us and we will respect them. But if the boys do what they are capable of, then we’ve a hell of a chance.’
Inverness are on great form coming into the semi-final with six wins and a draw leaving them third in the Championship and looking in good shape for the Premiership play-offs. A former Rangers and Scotland striker, Dodds hopes the prospect of an exciting end to the season inspires his side. he believes that they can cope with the exacting demands of a hampden occasion. he said: ‘We couldn’t be in better form going there and we are really looking forward to the game. If you don’t embrace occasions like this, you shouldn’t be in the game. ‘When I was at Queen of the South and Dundee United, we were underdogs in cup ties and handled the occasion. But as a player I’ve seen it in Old Firm games that it can pass you by and you think: “Where did those 90 minutes go?” ‘I just want my players to concentrate because we have proved against Killie and Livi that we can beat top teams. ‘I hope the occasion won’t get to them — and I don’t think it will.’