Richie Foran: Survival is goal for ICT and we’ll get there

After the success of last year, which saw Inverness finish third in the league and win the Scottish Cup, Caley have struggled to take that momentum into the new season.

John Hughes’ side are winless in five games this term and last picked up a victory in May, but captain Richie Foran has moved to play down fears of the run continuing for too long.

The 35-year-old Irishman also looked to lower the expectations of some, saying that despite the success of last year the aim this season, like any other, is to stay in the league first and take it from there.

“Last year was an amazing, amazing  season and its going to be hard to do that again, especially with everyone expecting us to make the top three again,” he told Ladbrokes News.

“Our goal every season first and foremost is to stay up, not to be looking at the top three or winning cups but to survive.”

Caley have been without the likes of Gary Warren, Josh Meekings, Dean Brill and Aaron Doran in recent weeks and Foran claims the impact is clear for all to see.

“I hate giving excuses but I have to be honest we’re struggling with injuries to key players, as we’re missing some real men who are leaders,” he added.

“We can’t cry too much though as we had a lot of good luck last year with injuries. We will get to where we want to be it’ll just take a bit of time.”

The former Motherwell man admits there is also a small confidence issue after going so many games without a win but says the good times will not be far away.

“We just need to hit the net. We’ve had a few good chances early on in games and had some goalkeepers playing very well against us but if we can get a goal and go in front that could turn into two or three and we’ll get there,” the forward explained.

Caley will look to pick up a first win of the campaign this weekend against a Dundee side they last lost to in 2005, Foran though is all too aware of the threat the Dees pose and says that 10-year record will not be on the players’ minds.

“All that stuff is there to be broken and we have to look at this match like every game which is that it will be the battle of our lives,” he explained.

“They have a few good individuals but like with most teams there’s not a lot in it so if we get an early goal we can get our confidence up and hopefully get the win.”

Win lose or draw though, Foran has urged Caley fans to keep the faith, adding: “The message to the fans is to be patient with us and judge us when everyone is back playing”.

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