Adams comfortable with favourites tag as mind games begin
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
DEREK Adams insists he is comfortable carrying the favourites tag into tomorrow’s Highland derby after the verbal sparring kicked off with Terry Butcher.
The Caley Thistle manager was playing mind games after Wednesday night’s draw with Dundee United in Inverness when he declared his team underdogs for the big clash.
Adams, though, is unfazed by the claim and countered in agreement yesterday as he calmly talked up the home side’s tremendous form.
A possible sell-out crowd is expected in Dingwall for a showdown that has taken on even greater edge and hype given the battle for top six and European places.
In three meetings to date, Caley Thistle have won twice and drawn once with their neighbours in league and cup action. Yet Adams acknowledged that County would merit the favourites tag on current form.
“We probably are favourites, actually,” he said. “We are nine games unbeaten and a point behind Inverness. Terry is probably right. We are on a good run of form.
“We were favourites on Tuesday night against Aberdeen as well and we dealt with that very well – and were too strong for Aberdeen on the night. So if Terry says we’re favourites, I’m happy to go with his knowledge.
“We are second on current form to Celtic and we’ve put ourselves in a very good position.
“The players are looking forward to the derby game.It is going to be a terrific day. It will be the first SPL derby game here at this stadium.”
When tomorrow’s match was originally scheduled for early January, Caley Thistle seemed out of sight of their neighbours. The 11-point advantage back then offered no inkling of the transformation since.
Adams said: “Inverness had that terrific start to the season and are still doing well – winning on Saturday and drawing last night. We are enjoying our football, too, and it has all the makings of a good match.
“If you had asked me back in August would we be fighting it out for top six and a European spot, I’d have said ‘no’. I thought we would do well in the SPL but to put ourselves in this position with 10 games to go, five until the split, is great.
“We’d have all taken being this close to staying in the SPL at this stage in the season. It is above our expectations and it is unbelievable how we’ve performed.
“But I knew the quality of player we had in the squad and knew what we were going to do in January. We’ve added really well.”
Adams, who has no injury or suspension concerns for the match, believes the two north clubs are shaking up the established order in Scotland.
He added: “With the way we have played throughout the season, we deserve to be where we are, as do Inverness. I think it is great for the Highlands. For so many years, people have been disrespectful to the Highland football clubs. They don’t want to travel here and don’t want to play here.
“Well, I’m afraid they will have to get used to it. Hopefully, long-term, and with both clubs.
“The power has shifted a wee bit from the south-west of Scotland and south-east of Scotland to the north now.
“You have St Johnstone, Dundee, Dundee United, Aberdeen all in the SPL.”
Mihael Kovacevic interview - inside this week's Ross-shire Journal.
