Foran backs Caley for top six

Inverness captain Richie Foran is confident his side can beat Ross County on Saturday to boost their chances of securing a top-six spot.

Last Updated: 15/03/13 at 13:24 Post Comment

Richie Foran: Looking forward to Highland derby

Richie Foran: Looking forward to Highland derby

The northern neighbours will go head to head for the fifth time this season with each hoping to boost their respective chances of a top-half finish in the SPL for the first time.

Foran believes his side - unbeaten against County this season with two wins and a pair of draws, yet still a point behind their third-paced opponents - can come out on top at the Caledonian Stadium by extending their current four game unbeaten streak in the SPL.

He said: "A top six place is within touching distance. Another three points out of the next three games would probably confirm our place in the top half. But County are probably thinking the same.

"Reaching the top six is massive for Inverness. For the size of the club, the budget, everything that goes against us during the season, it would be a huge achievement.

"But it can definitely be done. If we keep doing what we are doing, keep being confident, we can get that three points."

County's first season in the top flight has been nothing short of staggering. Derek Adams' side sat second bottom of the table at Christmas but since beating Hibernian on Boxing Day they have won eight of their 11 league matches to rocket up into Europa League qualifying contention.

That run has seen Adams tipped to replace Craig Brown as Aberdeen manager, while Caley Thistle's Terry Butcher has also turned down advances this season from Championship strugglers Barnsley after guiding his side to the upper reaches of the SPL and the semi-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

Foran said: "I have to be honest and say I'm surprised at how well things have gone. I'd like to say I wasn't but I am.

"We were in second position for a long time and who would have thought that. Not me.

"But we have deserved it and have played some really good football. We are second top scorers in the league. But County deserve to be where they are. It's a surprise at how well both clubs have done but credit us both for doing it.

"Everyone one in the Highlands should be very proud of what both clubs have done. There has been some great achievements this year and hopefully both clubs can get into the top six.

"We both have a great chance to do it. We will be looking for a win on Saturday but County will probably come here happy to get a draw."

Inverness have triumphed twice on home soil this term, winning the SPL opener between the sides 3-1 and then prevailing in a Scottish Cup fourth round reply by the odd goal in three.

The two meetings in Dingwall both ended in draws - a 3-3 thriller in the cup and then this month's goalless stalemate - and Foran admits it could just as easily be feast as famine on Saturday.

"This is the fifth time that we have played them this season. It's great, these are big games and this is what you want to play football for," Foran said.

"These are the games where you need to stand up and be counted and we're looking forward to it.

"We have got a great record against County at home and hopefully we can come out on top of them again.

"Is this the biggest Highland derby yet? I don't think so. I think the first one when we came out on top was the bigger game, with it being the first SPL clash between the clubs.

"It's still a big game. Both clubs are flying high in the league and both managers are doing very, very well. They are both sought after and have been linked with other clubs, so it has the makings of a very interesting game.

"We've played four times and we've had two wins and two draws, so they haven't beat us just yet. We have a wonderful record against them at home, so we are very confident.

"But county will also be very confident. They are on a great run at the moment. They haven't beaten us yet and will be looking to change that.

"You can either expect a lot of goals or it will be another 0-0. Both sets of players know each other inside out, the managers know each other inside out and sometimes you can cancel each other out.

"Games like this, you have got to change you play up a bit - do something different, something off the cuff. Whoever can do that will come out on top."

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