Butcher: Bring on the Bairns

21 May 2009 17:12
Caley Thistle must avoid defeat against Falkirk in their final game of the season on Saturday to preserve their top-flight status the sixth straight season. Butcher revealed has had no problems sleeping in the build-up to the game thanks to a few glasses of red wine, and has backed his team to deliver this weekend. He said: "The game will take care of itself because the players are programmed to cope with the level of pressure and play in this kind of environment, although there's a lot riding on the game it's still 90 minutes against Falkirk. "There's a lot at stake and we know what we have to do, as do Falkirk, who'll be nervous as well "It's just important we keep our nerve better than them. "From the players' point of view, it's not about contingency plans or next season - it's about Saturday at half past 12. "Everything's up in the air with regards to contracts, which will be sorted out on the Sunday and Monday after the game, no matter what the result and then we build from there." Although a draw would see Inverness safe, former England captain Butcher insists a share of the spoils is not in his gameplan. He said: "We need to be positive and get the first goal, set the tempo and dictate the play, especially at home. "There's a lot of examples of teams playing at needing a point ending up with nothing. "I think the most famous case was Liverpool at home to Arsenal in 1989, when Arsenal claimed the title when Liverpool needed a draw. "We had a chat with players and tried to drum into them a mental toughness. "They're a lot more focused than people thought they would be. They'll be with their families and in their natural surroundings, which will help take their mind off things. "It's not so exciting when you're involved in it but it will provide a spectacular climax to the season on both Saturday and Sunday and wonderful for everybody, fans and media." Falkirk have a good record in the Highland capital, with one defeat in five, while they knocked Inverness out of the Homecoming Scottish Cup on their last visit. Butcher said: "They've done well in the cup competitions this year reaching a final and semi-final, but we're only concerned with what we do and stopping them from playing. "They'll bring up a good support with them and we have to make sure our fans out-sing theirs and our players outplay theirs. "There's a lot to do on Saturday to make sure we get the correct result and hopefully we get it. "We'll have a drink - no matter what the result - with (Falkirk boss) John Hughes and Brian Rice after the game because they're decent guys. "It's just a shame one club has to go down because both are great clubs and have a good base of supporters, but one has to go I'm just hoping it's not us." Inverness 11/10, Falkirk 11/5, Draw 13/5  

Source: Team_Talk