SPFL Fans’ Preview: Inverness can push for the the top six

It’s time for the latest in our line of Ladbrokes SPFL Fans’ Previews. With the new campaign now underway we’re asking a cross-section of passionate supporters how they think their side will get on and who’ll shine this season. 

Paul Irving is our resident Inverness expert. He follows Caley up all over the country and is one of the main men at the Caley Thistle Online forum.

Here’s how he’s calling it…

The Club:

If you could sign one star from the past…

There’s a few who come to mind but I’ve got to look as well at what we need. The obvious choice would be someone like a Bobby Mann, Barry Robson or a Jonny Hayes but we’re pretty covered in those areas.

Someone like a Billy Mckay, Adam Rooney or Craig Dargo would just be fantastic. In Tansey, Vigurs and King, we’ve got players that’ll have no problem creating chances and having someone like on these players to finish them off would be great.

Scott Boden could well prove himself to be a natural scorer, but having someone like Rooney alongside him would be superb.

I’m most excited about this season because…

We have a new manager who has a desire to play attacking football. The games against Arbroath and Dunfermline were like night and day compared to last season.

Fast, direct, expansive football is what we’ve been desperate for and this season it looks like we’re going to get it. We’ll certainly be an entertaining side to watch.

I’m least excited about this season because… 

More long trips down the A9. It’s quite funny when you hear Central Belt club’s fans complaining about having to make the trip up to ourselves and Ross County a couple of times a season when we’ve got to do it every other week.

Yes, there’s nice scenery up and down the road, but when you’ve seen it a million times it kind of loses its power!

Actor that would play your gaffer in a film and why?

Steve McQueen. As far as I’m aware Foran’s still banned from Irish national football. You’d need a rebel to play him and Steve McQueen fits the bill.

The late James Dean would also be a candidate!

Key Player?

Weak links?

I wouldn’t say we have a weak link player per se, but if there’s one thing we don’t have on our side it’s that we don’t have a massive squad.

Foran has talked about trying to get two or three more in and I think that’s definitely needed to complete the squad. In terms of a starting XI, we’re probably good to go, but we’re still short of another one up top and a couple others just to reinforce the squad would be desirable.

Headline Generator?

We’ll try and avoid the obvious (Billy King!).

Other than that though I don’t think any of our players have particularly jazzy names, hopefully though this is the season Iain Vigurs truly makes his mark on the side and creates a few.

Young player to watch this season?

Ali Sutherland.

He’s been around the first team for a while now but finally signed a professional deal in the summer. A very versatile, tricky player with a lot of pace and drive. He also looks like a smaller Aaron Doran!

I also expect to see a young forward called Andy MacRae break into the side in due course but that might not be until next season at the earliest. In the Development League and friendly matches though he looks like he has real potential.

League Predictions:

Your position?

6th

We seem to get tipped for relegation every year, but I think we might surprise a few people. We could well sneak into the top six.

Title Winner?

Celtic

2nd Place?

Aberdeen

Bottom?

Hamilton

Top Goalscorer pick?

Leigh Griffiths

A natural scorer and a good team around him means he’s the most likely choice. I can see Adam Rooney running him close though.

Surprise team of the season?

Besides ourselves, I think Patrick Thistle are due to a top six finish. On the other hand, some people may be surprised about what happens at the bottom of the table.

I can see Accies getting seriously marooned there this season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing