Source: Team_Talk
Butcher savours fresh meat
Caley boss Butcher gave his side a few days off while this weekend's opponents St Mirren were being knocked out of the Homecoming Scottish Cup by Rangers.
Former England captain Butcher spent a few days down south, while several of his players rested at home, something he feels could give them the upper hand over the Buddies on Saturday.
He said: "The boys have come from their little break very fresh, keen and eager to get going again and if they can keep that kind of momentum up, it will give us a great chance of getting something at St Mirren this weekend.
"Every player wants to be involved in the final five games of the season.
"We said to the players at the start of the week everyone has to stand up and be counted.
"However, we're under no illusions and know how difficult the run-in will be.
"Myself and Maurice (Malpas) and the rest of the coaching team have been delighted with the boys' attitude since returning to training and I think they've benefited from the break.
"Maybe not in physical terms because they've not played, but in mental terms they've not had that pressure going into games and they've been able to relax a little bit and enjoy themselves.
"The mood is excellent in the camp and we've got some hungry players in that dressing room wanting to do well for the club and make their mark by collecting as many points as possible."
The SPL relegation scrap is unchanged after a two-week hiatus, with Inverness still four points clear of bottom club Falkirk and only two points behind St Mirren, Hamilton and Kilmarnock.
The final five matches of the season has thrown up some interesting basement battles and Butcher knows it will not be pretty.
"Every relegation battle becomes ragged, tense and very nervous and it's all about whoever holds their nerve on the day," he said.
"There are five teams involved in the bottom six and it'll be interesting to see who copes with the pressure - hopefully it's us.
"The old cliche is if you win every game, you'll survive the drop, but it's easier said than done of course.
"I'd like to win our two homes games and believe that will give us a massive chance of obtaining safety, although our last home game isn't until the end of the season against Falkirk.
"I'd also like to have it all sewn up before then, so we'll have to pick up points elsewhere."
The former Motherwell boss predicts a nailbiting finale but also wants his players to savour the occasion.
"We'll certainly enjoy the thrill of it, if you can call it that," he said.
"But it's such a bizarre scrap, with so many teams involved, and one of the most interesting ones I've ever come across.
"There'll be no surprises with each other at this stage of the season, because you know each other inside out.
"It's about who has confidence in their system and the confidence to take the chances when they come along and make sure the other side doesn't create any at the other end."
