Rangers hold no fears for Inverness boss Richie Foran

Inverness head into tonight’s exciting clash with Rangers on the back of an impressive unbeaten of five league matches. 

After a worrying start to the season, they are on the march up the Ladbrokes Premiership table and have recorded impressive draws against the current top two in Aberdeen and Celtic respectively.

The rookie Caley boss and Ladbrokes Premiership Manager of the Month has been speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes News…

Ladbrokes News: Congratulations on your award Richie. After a tough start to the season, how have you been able to turn things around?

Richie Foran: Things didn’t go our way at the start of the season but I always believed. If the players see the manager panicking then they might panic themselves but that was never the case.

I believe in the players we have at this club and changed the shape of the team a touch and the players themselves have turned things around.

The main thing for me was to stay calm, there was a few people outside the club who were losing their heads but no one was here.

LN: You had a reputation as a fiery and competitive character in your playing days, is this the same style you plan to manage?

RF: No, not really, the older you get the calmer you get. I was quite a fiery footballer with a bit of a temper, that still comes back now and again in general I stay calm. I’d rather speak to the players about how it’s going rather than screaming and shouting, you make more of an impact talking calmly and quietly.

That said, there has been times when I’ve had to raise my voice but it’s always got to be at the right time and from the heart.

LN: Have you sought any advice from from ex-managers since going into main role and who has inspired you in the game?

RF: Terry Butcher was big for me in my career both on and off the park. He was a wonderful manager and wonderful leader. He sent me text when I took the job and advised me to stay true to your beliefs, stay positive and stick to your principles.

I think that advice helped me get over our sticky start to the season

LN: How much confidence did the draws at Aberdeen and at home to Celtic bring to the squad?

RF: They’re two fantastic teams you are up against. Going to Pittodrie and getting a point was satisfying, they pushed Celtic all the way last season and are an impressive side.

Obviously Celtic are a bit above the rest in terms of quality at the moment so to hold them was an achievement, the only club to take points off them thus far. It’s very pleasing and gives my players plenty confidence going forward.

LN: Liam Polworth is an exciting local talent, how far do you think he can go in the game?

RF: Liam’s been excellent for me. The supporters are delighted for him being a local lad. He’s scored some very important goals for us including a stunning equaliser against Hamilton in our last match. He’s got an abundance of quality and he is a good level headed character.

He’s got a good footballing brain and is cool, and collected on the pitch. If he keeps improving the way he is he can go up a step higher again.

LN: How are the preparations going for tonight’s match with Rangers?

RF: As with every home game we are setting up a team capable of winning the match. I have huge respect for Rangers, they are a quality team with a good manager we are at home and fancy our chances.

I think what’s changed since the last time Rangers were in the league is that the belief from other teams and players is they can go and take points from them. We’d like to go and try and win this game of football and I have great belief in my players that they can do it.

LN: Your home nation Ireland look in a far stronger position than Scotland just now, do you think they can qualify for the World Cup?

RF: It’s fantastic to see them picking up a few wins lately. They seem to have a real togetherness in their team and the squad seems to be a happy place right now.

They have a fantastic manager and assistant, and if they keep going the way they have been they have every chance to make it to the World Cup

LN: Finally, how are you finding the transition from the pitch to the dug-out and are you enjoying it?

RF: I took this job on and wanted to really enjoy it and embrace it. I hadn’t been playing for a while through injury so it wasn’t a big change. You have to distance your self from the players to a certain extent when you are manager but you don’t turn into a recluse either.

The players respect me and have been great so it’s going well.

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