Foran fires ICT to pre-season win

CALEY Thistle skipper Richie Foran bagged a hat-trick to help his side to a 3-0 pre-season win at Elgin City on Saturday.

The Irn Bru Division Three side were tough opponents for their SPL visitors, but the Dubliner took his three goals well as the Inverness team made it three victories within a week.

ICT boss Terry Butcher also gave a place on the bench for former Ross County and Liverpool midfielder Alex Cooper, son of ex-County manager, Neale.

On a sun-kissed afternoon at Elgin, Caley Thistle edged in front on 34 minutes when Foran hit a spectacular overhead kick after getting on the end of a cross from Kenny Gillet.

Two quick-fire goals after the break took the sting out of the game.

Firstly Foran went on a surging run, played a one-two with Andrew Greig and slammed the ball low into the net.

Greig was again the supplier moments later when he whipped the ball into the box and Foran controlled it before nudging a drive into the goal.

That took Butcher's side's tally to 12 for the week, without a goal conceded, although their opposition should be tougher this weekend when they go to Division Two champions Livingston.