The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Welsh says Caley Jags are ready to seize the initiative in ‘cup final’
Inverness skipper believes patience is vital in decider
Skipper Sean Welsh reckons Caley Thistle are relishing the chance to win the “cup final” at Arbroath to line up a two-leg shot at replacing St Johnstone in the Premiership next season.
Inverness head to Gayfield tonight with the Championship rivals locked at 0-0 after Tuesday’s first leg Premiership semi at the Caledonian Stadium.
Dick Campbell’s highflying part-time stars, who only lost to Inverness at home all season, are firmly in the limelight as the BBC Scotland cameras roll into the Angus town once more.
The Perth Saints were confirmed as the topflight’s 11th club this week and face the second-leg winners next Friday then on Monday May 23.
It’s all down to what unfolds at Gayfield now, with extra-time and penalties a possibility.
Midfielder Welsh insists the Caley Jags are relishing the chance to get the job done and continue their hot streak, which stands at eight wins from 11 outings.
He said: “It is now a cup final shoot-out – we go down there needing to win the game.
“They’ll be saying the same thing. It’s winner-takes-all and we’ll treat it as a cup final. It is a massive game.”
And Welsh is prepared for another toe-to-toe contest from the first whistle.
He said: “It was physical on Tuesday, but that’s what Arbroath bring to the table.
“We know what they’re about. They work hard and make it a battle – and they’re very good at it.
“Looking back on the game the other night, we’ve probably got to show a little bit more composure as a team.
“We forced things a little bit in the first half, whether it was nerves of tiredness.
“We need to show a bit of quality and composure now, but also be ready for that physical battle.”
Although Arbroath, who have not been in the topflight since the mid-1970s, are part-time, Welsh reckons their consistent results adds a degree of expectancy for them to deliver in front of their home fans.
He said: “They’ll be saying they are a part-time team and not expected to be here – the pressure is all on Inverness.
“But they have a good record at Gayfield and it does put a little bit of pressure on them as everyone expects them to get a result now.
“They have us 0-0 away and they’re getting us back to their fortress.
“All that matters to us is that we’re going down there to win the game.
“We know it is going to be tough, but we just concentrate on what we need to do and will try to do it to the best of our ability.”
There were signs of Arbroath fading a little in the second half of the first leg as ICT created a number of chances.
However, Welsh insists the fourth game within a fortnight can also affect them as they go for glory, but stressed they will give it their all.
He said: “Arbroath’s fitness levels are good, but they did seem to tire a little bit at our ground towards the end.
“People can forget we have played a lot of games in these play-offs in a short space of time, so it is a factor for both sides.
“Partick was a very difficult two-leg tie in the quarter-finals.
“It is testament to what we are – the boys are tired, but we’ll keep pushing.”
Having taken four points at Arbroath this season, Welsh feels the Inverness team can take confidence from that as they enter their rivals’ ground for a third time in 2021-22.
He said: “We beat them there in the first game of the season.
“They have a great home record and everyone knows it, but the good thing for us is we are the only team that’s beaten them this year. We have to take confidence from that.
“The elements come into it at Gayfield. Most of the time down there the wind is high and they’re kind of used to that.
“We just have to be ready. They adapt to it better than most and get results at home.
“But we won there at the start of the season, so we know what we need to do.”
And Welsh signed off with a message for the away supporters who are travelling to Angus in good numbers and high spirits to back the north side.
He added: “We appreciate the fans’ support – they were different class at Firhill. I’d just ask them to get behind us on Friday because we need them.”
Arbroath were boosted last night as their freescoring midfielder Michael McKenna was named as the Championship player of the season.
The division’s top scorer McKenna has made a huge impact for the parttimers, hitting 15 league goals in an incredible season.