Injured Foran ran tight ship from the dressing room

Marley Watkins admits he felt for Richie Foran during Caley Thistle’s 2014-15 success.

The club captain missed the entirety of Inverness’ most memorable campaign due to a knee injury suffered in March 2014.

It was to keep him out until the start of the following season, with Graeme Shinnie donning the armband and lifting the Scottish Cup.

“Richie Foran ran the dressing room. He was injured that season but he was always on it with the discipline,” said Watkins. “He trained like he was playing and demanded a lot from us.

“We had a lot of winners in the dressing room: Graeme Shinnie, who was vice-captain. Gary Warren would head bricks for you. Big characters that wouldn’t let you ease off.

“We all played for each other. Richie must have gone through hell missing all that through injury. He was such a leader.”

Watkins came to Inverness in 2013 from Hereford under Terry Butcher. However it was under John Hughes where his career in the Highlands took off, earning a move to Barnsley on the back of the win over Falkirk.

“I remember being told it’s a special group and to cherish these times. The success we had – we were good players but the team spirit was a big factor. I still speak to players now and again on WhatsApp.

“When you’re living in them times, you’re not thinking about them. You’re enjoying the moment and it goes by quick. It was great to make history for a great place like that.”

His performance in the 2015 Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic is still fondly remembered, mostly for the way he handled Virgil van Dijk in the Hoops defence.

“For the Celtic game we knew we’d have to be on it, not to give them too much respect. We went up against them and I don’t think many teams had done that against (Virgil) van

Dijk and (Jason) Denayer before. It’s a weird mentality you’ve got to get in to; it’s almost like you’re ready for war and just go up against them. ‘I don’t care that you’re Celtic. You’re human beings like us’.

“We had a bit of luck on the day, which you need, and I feel that game was the most special for us. It felt like the world against us, because they had the whole stadium full of Celtic fans.

“They were better on paper and I felt it was more special, because we were such underdogs. It was one of my favourite games.”

“Trained like he was playing and demanded a lot”

Leader: Richie Foran