Alfie Bavidge: Group winners Caley Thistle have to maintain Premier Sports Cup standards on Championship return

Alfie Bavidge slotted the penalty which gave Caley Thistle a 1-0 victory over Morton at Cappielow and rounded off an unbeaten Premier Sports Cup group campaign.

The striker held his nerve early in the game after Liam Sole had been fouled in the box by Dean Black, calmly slotting the ball beyond Brian Kinnear.

Inverness went into the clash on the back of an excellent win against Premiership St Johnstone and having already beaten Linlithgow Rose in Group F.

They needed penalties to get the better of East Fife in their opening encounter but are now heading back into the Championship in high spirits, having finished two points clear at the top of their League Cup section to qualify for the the second round.

Bavidge said: “Going down to Morton, we knew it was going to be a tough game, but just like Tuesday, I thought the lads were excellent again.

“It was obviously a tough test, but you know, I think that we held really strong at the back and saw the game out really well.”

Bavidge: Caley Thistle have set standards for Championship in League Cup

With Inverness heading up a division following last season’s League One title success, Bavidge highlighted the importance of a positive cup campaign, adding: “It’s going to give us a lot of confidence, but obviously there’s still a lot to do this season.

“We’ve only just begun with these four games, so it’s important that we maintain those standards and see where that leads us.

“We’ve done well in these four games – we did well again against Morton today so, coming on top of what we did last season and the excitement of getting promoted to the Championship, I think we’re ready to go, and ready to test ourselves at the next level.”

Aberdeen loanee Bavidge relishing prospect of second-tier test

Having opened his account for the season, 20-year-old Aberdeen striker Bavidge – back for his third loan stint at Caley Thistle this term – is relishing the opportunity to play a league higher.

Having signed a contract extension with boyhood club Aberdeen before heading back to the Highlands, he said: “It’s exciting obviously, I know the step up is going to be tough but I am so excited for the chance – we all are.

“I’m looking forward to it because I think that’s three years in League One.

“We had a really good group of players last season, and the gaffer has added a few new lads who have come in and been brilliant as well.

“There’s that friendly competition, but, you know, you need that in any dressing room and as a group of lads we get on really well.”

Bavidge and his team-mates make their Championship bow when last season’s Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline visit the Sarens PSG Stadium on Saturday, and he added: “We’re going to be right up for it, of course, and glad to get back into league action.

“Dunfermline are a really good team, so we’re going to have to prepare really well this week. It will be great to open up in front of our own fans.

“The fans were excellent throughout last season, and my whole time here actually.

“The club was in a bad place when I first came, and the support was still excellent. So, we’re all buzzing.”

[Source: Press and Journal]