Inverness CT manager Billy Dodds has expressed his disappointment after the club finished out with the Premiership play-off positions.
And he admits the blow has scuppered his preparations for next month's Scottish Cup final against Celtic as he searches for friendly matches to warm up for the Hampden showpieces After seeing off Falkirk to reach the final, Caley Thistle needed a win over Ayr United to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the play-offs
They ultimately lost that clash 2-1 and as a result ended up sixth in the table and it has left Inverness with a 29 day break between games instead of being kept fresh with regular matches through the play-offs. Dodds has admitted it's not an ideal situation to face but the squad will return for some friendlies in due course ahead of facing Celtic. He said: “I have got to give the boys a well-earned rest. It’s been a long season.
“I would have loved to have qualified for the play-offs because this year it was perfect preparation because there is a week’s rest between the first and second legs of the semi-final.
“If we then reached the play-off final, that would have been put back because of the Scottish Cup final. We have to rest – we can’t just keep training for a month. We will come back and try and get a couple of games and prepare properly. The play-offs would have been ideal preparation for the cup final.“
Dodds now hopes to recover from their disappointing league finish by shocking Celtic at the national stadium. Ange Postecoglou's side are gunning for a domestic Treble having already won the Viaplay Cup in February and recently been crowned champions of Scotland but are off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Rangers last weekend, with the Hoops boss handing several fringe players opportunities.
And Dodds knows Celtic will provide a stern test for his Highland men but believes Inverness can spring a surprise and lift the cup. Speaking to the Inverness Courier, he continued: “We’re going to enjoy the Scottish Cup final and make sure we don’t just turn up for the occasion.
"Yes, there’s disappointment with not getting where we wanted to in terms of the Championship because I think we’re one of the best teams in the league. We never got there and that’s disappointing for the fans.“
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