The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Vincent backs use of squad before play-offs
Caley Thistle legend James Vincent reckons using the full depth of the squad can be the key to success for his old club as they target promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.
The midfielder, who won the 2015 Scottish Cup for the Highlanders against Falkirk, remains a keen follower of the Inverness club, who have finished in third position.
The Englishman, who played for Dundee and Dunfermline after leaving Caley Jags in 2016, knows only too well what the schedule could be if ICT get beyond Partick Thistle or Raith Rovers next Tuesday and Friday.
With fourth-placed Partick three points and eight goals richer than Raith, it seems Billy Dodds’ team will face the Jags in the play-off quarter-finals next week.
Before that, they round off their season at home to Hamilton on Friday and a number of personnel changes are expected, with key games blocking their path to the Premiership.
Vincent explained all players have to be ready, now the side are primed to achieve their goal.
He said: “You do need to be smart with your squad. The first taste I had of that was at Dunfermline and we went straight into it after the season, the following week with games on Thursday and Sunday.
“It is gruelling and hard and this really is where the squad factor comes into play.
“It’s about game management and relying on experience, and the staff with know-how, and a little bit of luck. They seem to be taking the right approach
in terms of Friday’s game by looking after players who might have knocks or need a game out to recover in time for the more important games, which are the play-offs.”
ICT went through a three-month spell without a win, but racked up six draws to remain in the promotion hunt.
A 3-0 victory over highflying Arbroath last month stemmed the tide in style and they have won five of their last seven games to secure third position.
Vincent, who had two spells at Inverness, is impressed by their resurgence which has left two of their rivals in their wake.
He said: “It seemed at one point it was between Raith and Caley Thistle for those third and fourth positions. Partick didn’t seem to be in it, then they came back into contention when they caught up in games.
“Caley have been on a great run of form and now consolidated third place. The team with momentum, nine times out of 10, will be the successful ones.
“It is all credit to the players and shows great character within the group.
“Hopefully, they can get the job done. They have been there or thereabouts in recent years – hopefully this can be the year they go up.”
The classy middle man knows if it is Partick next week for Inverness, the visitors on Tuesday will have to find a way to cope with the patchy pitch, caused in part by Firhill being also used by League One promotion contenders Queens Park.
He added: “The Partick pitch is not ideal and those conditions come into play. A mistake or a bit of luck can make such a different when you play on pitches like that.
“Caley Thistle like to get the ball down, but you have to mix it up and that’s the sign of champions, if you can do that. If you can play differently on different pitches, you will do well.
“That’s why we see Arbroath up there this season.
“They have shown they can play good football, but also mix it up. They have a really experienced squad with a lot of good players and a great manager in Dick Campbell.
“Despite losing to Kilmarnock last week, it is still all ticking for them. They have been fantastic and they will watch Caley Thistle’s play-off with interest.”