Josh Meekings knows Inverness will need a bit of luck and even a helping hand to beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final.
Much like his own Caley Thistle side got in their glory trophy run in 2015. Inverness face treble-chasing Celtic for the final silverware of the season at Hampden this weekend. The Highlanders famously beat the Hoops in the semi-final eight years ago thanks to David Raven’s dramatic winner. But they got a massive bit of luck when Meekings got away with a hand ball on the line.
He said: “There’s no denying the gulf between the two teams. It’s just a case of riding your luck on the day. You need to do that in the big games against the big teams. We got that with my hand ball when we beat Celtic in the semi-final. You need these moments to go for you and if they do then you’ll always have a chance. But you’d have to say Celtic are massive favourites and it will take something special to beat them.
“These occasions don’t come round too often. John Hughes told us when we played Celtic and then Falkirk in the Final to go and enjoy it and it should be the same approach for the current Inverness team.”
Meekings admits he should have been sent off and the Brora assistant boss said: “We rode our luck that day and there is no denying it. I obviously knew it was a handball but I didn’t deliberately do it.
“People have their own views and perceptions from watching the replays. People are saying he’s faked that well but it’s impossible to do that in a split-second to con a referee.
“I was acting with instinct and wondering where the ball had gone. I was just thinking about getting to the ball but I went on one knee and for balance my arm came out.
“I was fortunate because I knew it was a hand ball and I should have been sent off. I don’t make the decisions, they are up to the officials.
“I’m told to play to the whistle and that’s what I did. And then to turn it around after that was still a massive achievement.”
Billy Dodds’ side has already had a huge slice of good fortune in this season’s competition. They were beaten by Queen’s Park but an admin error gave them a reprieve and they subsequently beat Livingston, Kilmarnock and Falkirk. Meekings said: “They’ve defied the odds.
“They got a bit of fortune against Queen’s Park and since then they’ve taken out two Premiership teams and earned the right to get there. Celtic are a far superior side.
"It’s going to be difficult for Inverness on top of their four-week lay-off while Celtic have continued to play. Hopefully it will keep the boys fresh but then you worry about their match sharpness. It’s going to be tough.”
