MARK RIDGERS wants Inverness Caley Thistle to put in a performance fit for legends today as the club marks 25 years in the big league.
The Highlanders’ No.1 grew up in the city and knows how much the occasion will mean to staff, supporters and past greats in attendance.
“It’s a nice tribute all round, having along most of the players who played against Arbroath in that first game 25 years ago,” he said. “Hopefully we can achieve a result to match a momentous day for the club.
“What the club has achieved in 25 years has been incredible with top- four finishes, European football and cup success.”
Ridgers hopes the celebration of the past will remind everyone connected to the club what can be achieved in the future.
“The city knows what this club can be,” he said. “We need to try and get back to the top league, and that is the aim.”
Caley Thistle were humbled 4-1 by Dundee United and Lawrence Shankland last week, but Ridgers added: “We can put Saturday to bed now. It was disappointing but it didn’t lose us the league. That result doesn’t show what we are all about.
“It was disappointing the way the game went – and it was a strange game. We had opportunities but we never took them, unlike them. That was the big difference.”
Ridgers manager John Robertson is not going to be taking Arbroath lightly, given the experience in their ranks and in the technical area.
“Dick Campbell, year-in, year-out, is successful in the lower leagues,” Robertson said. He brings in exper-ienced players, which he marries alongside some youthful lads with legs. I have worked with Bobby Linn who has always been a quality player.
“They are hugely well-organised and a real threat. We’ve got to deal with that.”
Campbell, for his part, has told his players not to fear the Highlanders as they have earned the right to challenge them.
“We played out a goalless draw against Queen of the South at Gayfield last weekend and all the talk afterwards was how they were disappointed at not winning.
“We had great chances especially in the first half and we also had a goal disallowed for offside when it wasn’t. We were the ones that should have been disappointed at not winning.
“We are not going to be fodder for anyone in this league. I have told my players to enjoy games such as the Inverness one as they have earned the right to play in it but to show what a good side they are.
“We will go there and look to win.”
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