Psychic boss predicted ICT soloist’s goal
Daniel Mackay, the young Caley Thistle winger, is beginning to think Neil Mccann has a touch of the second sight.
The Scotland youth international has seen the powers at work in successive Scottish Cup victories now, and told how a pep talk from the caretaker-manager was prelude to his wonderful solo run and finish in Friday night’s live-televised Highland derby.
Mackay, who burst on to the Inverness first-team scene as a 16-year-old, seems to be fulfilling long-talked of promise under Mccann and assistant Billy Dodds.
With the scoreline level at the break, the second half was just nine minutes old when David Carson battered the ball clear after a Ross County corner.
Collecting the ball just inside the opposition half, Mackay accelerated down the left flank and then skilfully nipped inside between Leo Hjelde and Charlie Lakin before shooting easily past keeper Ross Laidlaw.
Mackay credited the confidence and positivity he displayed in the magical moment to the management team standing in during John Robertson and Scott Kellacher’s leave of absence.
Mackay, who also hit the lastround winner against Buckie Thistle, said: “The manager came in at half-time and said he just needed a wee bit more from me.
“He said ‘you’ll score tonight’. Thankfully, I’ve repaid his faith. He must be psychic because I think that’s twice now he’s said it and I’ve scored.
“I’m just happy to get the win for the boys. It put us on our way, and then Shane Sutherland tucked another away at the end.
“It’s a great result for us and just shows the character we have at the moment.
“I’d say that was probably my best goal for Inverness. I scored a decent one on loan at Elgin last year, but being from Inverness and scoring one like that in a Highland derby is a dream come true.
“I’m glad it went in.”