Thursday 16 April 2015 12:39, UK
John Hughes believes Inverness will have nothing to fear when they play Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final this Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The former Celtic defender takes his side to Hampden in good spirits following last weekend's 1-1 draw with the champions in the Scottish Premiership.
The Highlanders produced a spirited display on their own patch, with Edward Ofere scoring within two minutes of Leigh Griffiths giving Celtic an early lead.
We’ve beaten them once, they beat us once and the other one's a draw but it’s a whole different ball game at Hampden.
And with Inverness showing good form against the Hoops throughout the campaign the squad are relishing the chance to put one over the favourites this weekend.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Hughes said: “We are looking forward to it. Having come off the game at Inverness there, a 1-1 draw, we are even.
"We’ve beaten them once, they beat us once and the other one's a draw but it’s a whole different ball game at Hampden. In the national stadium, the fans are going to be outnumbered four to one.
“Celtic are used to that. That’s a little bit concerning to me. Can the players handle it? Do we get caught like rabbits in the headlights or do we go and play?
"Because we will have to play right from the off. We can’t give Celtic a goal start like we did on Saturday. So we have to make sure all the preparations are done, but Celtic will know they have been in a game.
'Hard work'
“The surface will be a little bit different in terms of Hampden. It will be looking great, a slick pitch which will suit Celtic but it will also suit us because we are a good footballing side.
“I’m really pleased for the boys, for all their hard work, they’re playing in a national semi-final and football’s a funny game, who knows? If we can dig in there and take the game to Celtic and go and express ourselves then we might find ourselves in a Scottish Cup final.”
'Yogi', who played 31 games during a season with Celtic in 1995-96, will attempt to outfox Ronny Deila’s team after hinting he may adopt a new system prior to this weekend's showdown.
There’s a real spirit and a real character in the dressing room. For all the hard work they’ve given me it’s just fitting they are in a semi-final.
“Well I actually tried something maybe two or three weeks ago against Partick Thistle. I felt you could get at Celtic down the sides and I tried five at the back. It didn’t quite work for us so we put it on the backburner but we will be working overtime tactically to come up with a shape and system that goes and plays against Celtic,” he said.
"One thing about Celtic, I had the privilege of playing for that great club, and they don’t change their shape for people. You have to go and combat their shape.
“We are massive underdogs, there’s no getting away from it. Massive underdogs. Celtic are miles in front, they’ve got the best players, they play some fantastic football, they’re a threat from all over the pitch and set-pieces.
"We are going to have to be at our best to go and match that and go again and dig deep and go somewhere you’ve never been before and win the game.
“There’s a real spirit and a real character in the dressing room. For all the hard work they’ve given me it’s just fitting they are in a semi-final. Let’s go and see if we can go one better and win the match.
“It’s how we settle. If we settle and take the game to Celtic then it's game on. I really am looking forward to it. The players deserve the opportunity because they have been absolutely outstanding for me in a number of ways.
“The way they’ve adapted, the way we play football. We’ve went with a squad of 17 and we’ve tried to keep injury free, it’s been remarkable.
"We keep asking the same players to go back to the well week after week. If the season was to end tomorrow, the season has been absolutely fantastic but we’re hungry for success. We’ve got the semi-final coming up and then the rest of the league campaign.”
And Hughes believes anything is possible for his team at the moment, and victory over the treble-chasing Hoops would make his Caley Thistle side favourites to win the trophy, and with it a place in next season's Europa League.
We keep asking the same players to go back to the well week after week. If the season was to end tomorrow, the season has been absolutely fantastic.
The winners of the other semi-final between Championship teams Hibernian and Falkirk, two clubs managed by Hughes in the past, will be known by Sunday, but he insists his full focus will be on the 90 minutes in front of him and his players.
'Fantastic'
“Can Inverness win the Scottish Cup? It’s intriguing. Why not? Why not have your dream," he said. "It would be absolutely fantastic for the Highlands.
"We are there on merit, we’ve earned the right. It’s been a hard road and we have played two Premiership clubs in St Mirren and Partick Thistle. We’ve earned the right. So let’s go give it a shot.“
Hughes has been delighted with the application of this squad as they chase a European spot on two fronts, with not just the Scottish Cup final a possibility, but also a third-place finish in the league.
“It is exactly what we’re doing. It’s the best season that they’ve had and if we can get into Europe, it’s the first time in the club’s history we have ever done it. That would be remarkable to bring European football up to the Highlands,” he said.
“The boys deserve it, because they have been absolutely fantastic. I could not criticise them. They’ve been a joy to work with. There’s a real spirit and real good character in that dressing room.
“When we are at it, we are a right good footballing side. And Celtic know that. Ronny has come out and said that. We are a right good football side. Getting that kind of plaudits means you’re doing something right.”
