SHORT of catching Andrew Shinnie in a head-lock and forcing him to scribble his signature on relevant documents, there is not a lot more Richie Foran can do.
The former Rangers youngster was again the shining light for Inverness and Foran's festive wish is for his creative team-mate to extend his contract in the New Year.
There is intense speculation over 11-goal Shinnie's future with his current deal running only until May, but Foran will beg, bully and cajole him to stay from now until the transfer window closes at the end of January.
As Terry Butcher's men came from behind twice to preserve their eight-match unbeaten run, Shinnie hit a fantastic goal amid an imperious performance. The point made it just one defeat in 19 now for Inverness who held on to second spot on goal difference from Motherwell.
For Foran, the transfer window is unwelcome. "Andrew really stood out – he is very gifted," said the Dubliner. "He glides past people and he has so much about his game. The best thing, though, is his work-rate. Good players don't always like to do the nasty work but he does it for the team – he is a wonderful team player. He can definitely play at a higher level but, hopefully, he will stay here. I hope we can hang on to him."
Saints had lost five players to injury and suspension and two of the replacements created a surprise opener after 80 seconds. Dougie Imrie and Paul McGowan linked and the former, 20 yards out, unleashed a terrific strike past Antonio Reguero.
Caley Thistle almost levelled when David Raven's cross from the right found it's way to the far post where Foran smashed the ball goalward but keeper Craig Samson made a point-blank save, the first of four important ones of the day.
St Mirren had their share of opportunities, with Graham Carey hitting the bar with a free-kick from 25 yards. Gary Teale also twisted away from home defender Gary Warren before cutting the ball neatly back to Steven Thompson on the edge of the box. The big striker was wasteful, though, skying the opportunity.
For the hosts, Ross Draper also blew a chance in front of goal and Samson was again sharp to deny Aaron Doran.
A further spell of sustained pressure led to the equaliser for Butcher's men. Cutting inside, Andrew Shinnie spun away from his marker and blasted the ball high into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.
Billy McKay, uncharacteristically amid current form, fluffed his one big chance five minutes into the second half and it was to prove costly five minutes later when Teale's cross from the right was perfect for Thompson and the former Rangers striker made his opportunity count.
Samson also plucked a Foran header from under his bar but the equaliser arrived after 68 minutes. A bobbling Doran effort was blocked by Samson but Foran darted in to head home the rebound.
For a while there were waves of blue surging towards St Mirren, then the tide turned with St Mirren's Lewis Guy hit both bar and post.
For St Mirren manager Danny Lennon, it was a point well won, though he admitted it may have even better.
"It was a terrific team performance in terms of effort, commitment and desire," he said. "We dictated in spells at a venue which I always found difficult as a player and even more so as a manager.
"Caley Thistle are flying at the moment, so to take a point here is very pleasing. Having said that it could easily have been three points."
SHORT of catching Andrew Shinnie in a head-lock and forcing him to scribble his signature on relevant documents, there is not a lot more Richie Foran can do.
The former Rangers youngster was again the shining light for Inverness and Foran's festive wish is for his creative team-mate to extend his contract in the New Year.
There is intense speculation over 11-goal Shinnie's future with his current deal running only until May, but Foran will beg, bully and cajole him to stay from now until the transfer window closes at the end of January.
As Terry Butcher's men came from behind twice to preserve their eight-match unbeaten run, Shinnie hit a fantastic goal amid an imperious performance. The point made it just one defeat in 19 now for Inverness who held on to second spot on goal difference from Motherwell.
For Foran, the transfer window is unwelcome. "Andrew really stood out – he is very gifted," said the Dubliner. "He glides past people and he has so much about his game. The best thing, though, is his work-rate. Good players don't always like to do the nasty work but he does it for the team – he is a wonderful team player. He can definitely play at a higher level but, hopefully, he will stay here. I hope we can hang on to him."
Saints had lost five players to injury and suspension and two of the replacements created a surprise opener after 80 seconds. Dougie Imrie and Paul McGowan linked and the former, 20 yards out, unleashed a terrific strike past Antonio Reguero.
Caley Thistle almost levelled when David Raven's cross from the right found it's way to the far post where Foran smashed the ball goalward but keeper Craig Samson made a point-blank save, the first of four important ones of the day.
St Mirren had their share of opportunities, with Graham Carey hitting the bar with a free-kick from 25 yards. Gary Teale also twisted away from home defender Gary Warren before cutting the ball neatly back to Steven Thompson on the edge of the box. The big striker was wasteful, though, skying the opportunity.
For the hosts, Ross Draper also blew a chance in front of goal and Samson was again sharp to deny Aaron Doran.
A further spell of sustained pressure led to the equaliser for Butcher's men. Cutting inside, Andrew Shinnie spun away from his marker and blasted the ball high into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.
Billy McKay, uncharacteristically amid current form, fluffed his one big chance five minutes into the second half and it was to prove costly five minutes later when Teale's cross from the right was perfect for Thompson and the former Rangers striker made his opportunity count.
Samson also plucked a Foran header from under his bar but the equaliser arrived after 68 minutes. A bobbling Doran effort was blocked by Samson but Foran darted in to head home the rebound.
For a while there were waves of blue surging towards St Mirren, then the tide turned with St Mirren's Lewis Guy hit both bar and post.
For St Mirren manager Danny Lennon, it was a point well won, though he admitted it may have even better.
"It was a terrific team performance in terms of effort, commitment and desire," he said. "We dictated in spells at a venue which I always found difficult as a player and even more so as a manager.
"Caley Thistle are flying at the moment, so to take a point here is very pleasing. Having said that it could easily have been three points."
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