The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gayfield is our fortress says Gaston
Arbroath goalkeeper Derek Gaston is hoping fortress Gayfield will be too much for Inverness to conquer tomorrow night in the second leg of the Premiership play-offs.
The two sides will battle it out for the final time this season, with the winner on the night going through to face St Johnstone.
With the tie finelybalanced at 0-0, there is everything still to play for.
Gaston was an integral part of keeping the first leg all-square, pulling off a number of saves to deny Caley.
The 36-year-old has been a key part of Arbroath’s success throughout the season, with the side keeping 19 clean sheets in league competitions.
“That’s why I’m there,” the modest stopper said.
“To make the saves when they do breach the defence.
“Hopefully we can keep another clean sheet on Friday.”
Despite Arbroath having the best home record in the Championship, Inverness are just one of two teams they have not managed to beat at Gayfield.
Alongside Raith Rovers, the Caley Jags have proved stubborn opposition.
And it is Billy Dodds’ side who are the only team to have come away with three points on the Lichties’ patch this season.
Gaston is determined to ensure there will be no repeat in the live TV clash.
“The last time we lost a league game at home was to Inverness on the first day of the season,” he said.
“We’re always confident playing at home.
“I know there have been a lot of draws there as well but we’re reasonably solid at home and teams know they are in for a challenge when they come to Gayfield.
“It won’t be easy for any team to come and win.
“That’s what we’ve got to do; make it hard for teams to come and see where it takes us.”
An added advantage for the Lichties in the secondleg will be the backing of the home support.
More than 3,000 came to see the dead rubber with Morton two weeks ago and Gaston believes they will be out in their numbers again.
“The crowds have been incredible, especially recently,” he said.
“As the season has gone on, they’ve gone up and up and up.
“We had a meaningless game at the end of the season and we had over 3,000 home fans there which is incredible for the club.
“I’m sure they will be back out in force this week to see us over the line and into the final.”
Meanwhile former Caley Thistle and Arbroath forward Graham Bayne insists Gayfield should hold no fears for the Highlanders.
He played for Arbroath at the start and end of his playing career and enjoyed four sparkling years in Inverness colours from 2004 to 2008.
The 42-year-old, who joined ICT from Ross County, starred for the Highlanders during their first stint in the top flight.
And Bayne knows the appeal of Arbroath, the highest-ranked part-timers in Scotland, to complete a stunning promotion to the Premiership makes them take a role Inverness used to enjoy when they were originally a club on the rise.
He said: “There might be a bit of expectancy on Arbroath because of the season they have had. They have really punched above their weight.
“You can see how good their players are. I like Chris Hamilton. He was outstanding in the first half at Inverness in terms of his attitude and drive – he sums up Arbroath.
“What is unfortunate for Caley Thistle is the whole country is almost rooting for Arbroath because of their story and all the publicity.
“You know what, Caley Thistle have been in that situation as well where they were steaming through the leagues and people were rooting for them to be their other team, like people are right now for Arbroath.
“They know what it’s like, so they know what to expect. Let’s hope we get a good game. It looks like the winners will play St Johnstone in the final, so it’s a really good opportunity.”
Bayne feels one key moment might be crucial from a contest neither side could afford to lose.
He added: “(Arbroath goalkeeper) Derek Gaston had a great save from Austin Samuels after a great ball through from Sean Welsh and we will see whether that makes the difference.
“It looked like the first leg of a play-off on Tuesday. Nobody wanted to open up and lose it in the first game.”