Less than a year removed from being a League One club fighting for survival in administration, Inverness Caledonian Thistle now find themselves being talked up as potential surprise packages capable of climbing back into the Scottish Premiership. Former Scotland international James McFadden identified the Highlanders as a team worth watching this season during BBC Scotland's opening live Championship broadcast, and manager Scott Kellacher has no interest in shying away from the hype ahead of Friday's home clash with Partick Thistle, which will also be shown live on BBC Scotland.
Rather than feeling burdened by the expectation, Kellacher welcomed McFadden's endorsement. "I thought to myself, 'good on you, Faddy Boy!' I'll give him his due, he's a man that's always positive and I love it," the Caley Thistle manager said. He added that supporters deserve to watch a team that entertains, insisting: "You want people to come to games and you want them to be excited... That's what you get with us. We want to be an entertaining, attacking-type team. Get you on the edge of your seat." Reflecting further on the comment, Kellacher called it "a real nice comment" from McFadden.
On the pitch, results so far have been steady rather than spectacular. Inverness have faced two sides who competed in last season's Premiership play-offs, Dunfermline Athletic and Arbroath, drawing both matches 0-0. There was late drama at Tynecastle on Sunday, where Caley Thistle led Hearts 2-1 before their game fell apart, ultimately losing 6-2.
The bigger picture remains remarkable given where the club stood not long ago. Inverness were docked five points last season as a consequence of entering administration, yet still managed to win the League One title under Kellacher, working alongside assistant Billy Mckay. Much of that turnaround has been credited to local businessman Alan Savage, who took control of the club's off-field affairs and helped stabilize its finances.
Kellacher was effusive in his praise for Savage's role in the recovery. "I actually couldn't speak any higher of the man," he said. "He's just got a special way about him in terms of how he goes about everything. He allows me and Billy to get on with the job. We have a wee meeting once a week to make sure everything is all right, do we need anything? If so, what do we need, can we help? It's never any problems, it's solutions." He added that the entire club feels reinvigorated because of Savage's involvement, saying everyone is "so grateful for him coming in and giving everyone a new lease of life."
Friday's fixture presents a stern examination of Inverness's genuine promotion credentials. Partick Thistle, managed by Mark Wilson, have started the campaign strongly, winning both their league fixtures without conceding and pushing Premiership side Hibernian close in a narrow 1-0 League Cup defeat. That form has made the Glasgow club many pundits' favorites to top the Championship this season.
Asked whether a fairytale double promotion from League One to the Premiership within consecutive seasons could realistically happen, Kellacher pointed to Falkirk's rise under John McGlynn as inspiration, calling it "incredible" that it was achieved. "If we ever had the chance of doing that, I think it would be a phenomenal achievement from where we've come from and the dark days," he said, while stressing he remains grounded. Still, he encouraged his squad to think boldly: "I say to the players, go and dream on doing something like that. Why not? What's stopping you from being the best you can be and be up there at the end of the season?"
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.