Thoughts of play-offs on hold for Caley Jags

Defender Cameron Harper insists Caley Thistle will only focus on the play-offs once they have hopefully earned their first win of the season against Hamilton tonight.

It’s third v sixth in a final-night Championship tussle which will decide nothing.

However, with Partick Thistle most likely to be their quarter-final opponents next Tuesday and Friday, Harper wants to add to their strong form.

Saturday’s 1-0 win at Morton, which ensured third spot, was ICT’s fifth victory in seven games and the 20-year-old is determined to round off their regular season with three points.

He said: “I would say we are approaching it the same as we have approached every other game this season, with the aim of winning it.

“Games are always enjoyable when you’re winning and we want to keep the momentum going, we are thinking about play-offs, that is the aim. We have prepared the exact same as we would for games and look to win.”

While the Hamilton match has been dubbed a meaningless game, Harper insists the players are not calling it that.

He said: “Some people may think like that in terms of it being a dead rubber, but we have not thought like that.

“Training has been good and high intensity, we are looking to do the same on Friday and have a high intensity and hope to win.”

Fourth-placed Partick have an eight-goal and three-point cushion over Raith Rovers ahead of their final fixtures against struggling Ayr United and champions Kilmarnock respectively.

Harper cautiously expects that Thistle, not Rovers, will be their quarter-final rivals next week.

He added: “Football is crazy, but that might be a bit too crazy for Raith to finish fourth. We won’t definitely know until after the game.

“However, we have not spoken about the play-off, we are training this week solely looking at Hamilton and focusing on that game.”

Caley Thistle aim to buck the trend and come through all six games in order to reach the Premiership via the play-offs.

Full-back Harper is confident they can achieve something special against all the odds.

And Harper, who has 30 appearances to his name this term, is confident that if Partick are their opponents from Tuesday they can get the win required to line up a semi double-header against runners-up Arbroath.

He said: “In our previous games against Partick, we got good results.”

Caley Jags assistant manager Scott Kellacher insists the Highlanders belong in the Premiership – and he’s urging the players to prove it.

Kellacher is relishing the chance to help guide the club back into the top flight after a five-year absence.

Partick Thistle are their likely play-off quarter-final opponents next Tuesday and Friday as they hold a three-point and eight-goal advantage over fifth-placed Raith Rovers going into their final games this week.

Inverness who beat Morton 1-0 to secure third spot, welcome mid-table Hamilton Accies to the Caledonian Stadium today before their full focus turns to those play-offs – in which Arbroath await the winners in the semis.

Kellacher said: “The top flight is where Caley Thistle should be. We are a good side and we play good football. Going up would be massive for the club and the city. We would also get the derby rivalry back with Ross County, who have had a good year.

“We have many players at Premiership level. The players have to push themselves to try to get there. They can prove that is where they deserve to be.”

With Ross County chasing European qualification for the first time, Kellacher feels it is time for Caley Thistle to be back at Scottish football’s top table.

He added: “What we have done in our history so far has been absolutely tremendous. The same applies to Ross County. Both clubs have achieved so much in such a short space of time.”

The team’s best longrange goals will be voted on by fans ahead of the awards after the Accies contest.

Kellacher said: “I was watching all the goals-ofthe-season contenders and I really don’t know who will win it. We have scored some fantastic goals and it is great to see. We say to the boys when they are in that final third to pull the trigger and have a shot because you never know what will happen. Look at Logan Chalmers recently with his goals for example.

“Some boys have done just that and it has ended in the back of the net. We tell them to keep doing that and keep being positive. If you get half a chance, take it. Some of those goals have been first class.”

Inverness have taken just one point from Hamilton so far this term and Kellacher is keen to ensure they finally put one over on their opponents.

He said: “All the games against Hamilton have been tight. Last time out, we drew 1-1 against them.

“Stuart Taylor has them well organised, set up really well and they are working hard.

“They are like many other sides in this league where they are hard to beat. We will have to be at our best.”

“We will have a chat about making changes and give some rest to some players. We’re going to have to use the whole squad throughout the play-offs.

“It is important everybody is fit and, if we have to make changes at any point, everybody is ready to go.

“It is an important game – we want to be positive against Hamilton.”

And Kellacher is calling for strong performances in training.

He added: “We want all the boys to have fire in their bellies every day on the training ground. That is so important.

“What they do in training they take on to the pitch. We want all the players on the park, including those coming off the bench, to have fire in their bellies. Everyone must play their part because we will need it for this run of matches.”

LOOKING UP: Scott Kellacher says Caley Thistle’s players must prove themselves as they fight for a Premiership spot.