Ross Draper hopes Inverness Caley Scottish Cup triumph is written in the stars

Ross Draper believes Inverness Caley Thistle are now the real deal.

The Highlanders made it to the League Cup Final last season, but the midfielder doesn’t believe they did themselves justice.

Taking Aberdeen all the way to penalties wasn’t good enough for the midfielder.

He expects it to be very different against Falkirk in Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final and he admits he’s lucky to be taking part.

Things have changed now that manager John Hughes has put his stamp on the team.

“Last year the gaffer was still trying to get us to play the way he wants,” said the 26-year-old.

“It was a tough game and we didn’t play as well as we should. We were in a transitional period. This year there are no excuses.

“The boys have taken on board everything he wants to do and he has improved me as a player. I think he has improved us all.”

Draper won the Man-of-the Match award against the Dons, but he admits that provided no compensation for being on the end of a defeat.

He went on: “The trophy is at my mum and dad’s home. I don’t see it as an achievement. On the day I would happily have thrown it in the bin for a winner’s medal.”

Josh Meekings will also be lining up at Hampden.

A massive amount has been said about his handball that wasn’t penalised in the semi-final, the letter sent by Celtic asking for an explanation and then the defender being cleared on a technicality after being charged by the SFA Compliance Officer.

Draper has his own take on events.

He said: “At the time, I looked through Josh to the official on the line and he said: ‘Face, face, face’

“He said it four or five times, so the referee has taken a lot of stick for it but I don’t think it was his fault.

“Maybe it was written in the stars for us. It’s mad the way things work and I’m a big believer in things like that. Maybe it is an omen! Maybe.”