In less than a year, Inverness Caledonian Thistle have gone from a League 1 club in administration to being touted as outsiders for a Premiership return.
Scotland great James McFadden picked them out as a team to watch during BBC Scotland’s first live Championship match of the campaign.
While some managers might shy away from the pressure such talk brings, Caley Thistle boss Scott Kellacher is relishing it ahead of Friday’s home game with Partick Thistle on the BBC Scotland cameras.
Kellacher welcomed McFadden’s positivity, saying he appreciates the enthusiasm and the excitement it generates around the club.
He stressed that Inverness want to be bold and front-footed—an entertaining, attacking side that gets supporters on the edge of their seats.
So far their Championship return has been steady rather than spectacular. They’ve faced two of last season’s Premiership play-off contenders, Dunfermline Athletic and Arbroath, with both games finishing 0-0.
That Inverness Caledonian Thistle are still competing at all is noteworthy given the financial turmoil that recently threatened the club’s very future.
Despite a five-point deduction last season for entering administration, Kellacher—working alongside Billy Mckay—led the team to the League 1 title after local businessman Alan Savage took charge behind the scenes.
Kellacher reserved special praise for Savage, describing him as a leader with a distinctive, positive approach to everything he does.
He said Savage empowers him and Mckay to get on with their work, holds a brief weekly check-in to see what’s needed, and focuses on solutions rather than problems.
Everyone at the club, Kellacher added, is grateful for Savage’s intervention and the fresh energy and belief it has brought.