LAST-GAME DISPLAY GIVES FANS SOME HOPE

Friday’s final league game against Hamilton Accies was an odd evening.

It definitely had a different feel about it from your usual Championship game.

In one sense it was of no significance – the result would change nothing.

However, there is no doubt that things could have gone wrong in a way that could have caused Caley Thistle problems in the days ahead.

The main priority of the game for the home team was about avoiding injuries and suspensions. Anything above and beyond that was a bonus.

Clearly there was far more riding on other games elsewhere, but at the Caledonian Stadium Inverness looked relaxed, and a much-changed starting XI began in a lively and positive manner.

Within half an hour they had a four-goal advantage against a Hamilton side wondering where they had put their passports and if they needed more sun tan lotion for their upcoming holidays.

Perhaps some of the fringe players in the home team were wondering if they might play for the club again, but they all certainly put on quite a show.

Some good goals too for the home fans to enjoy on a pleasant spring evening.

Stuart Taylor had had enough long before the break, bringing on Brian Easton to give a muchneeded bit of backbone to the Accies defence.

That certainly worked, but the damage had been done and Caley Thistle made plenty of sensible substitutions to keep players fit and fresh.

Accies improved after the break, but they were never going to get back into this one.

Now we move on to Firhill tomorrow evening as the Premiership playoffs get under way.

Much has been made of the playing surface there, which is quite dreadful. I think a draw would be a great result for us and I feel confident we can head back up the A9 still very much in the tie.

The 11th-placed side in the Premiership will be favourites to prevail, but the three Championship sides will quite rightly all feel they have a chance too.