Reece’s colour scheme brings rub of the green

REECE McALEAR drew on his reserves of energy to add a splash of colour to Inverness Caley Thistle’s Premiership play-off hopes with his lucky crayon.

The 20-year-old’s highly unusual talisman was a gift from the club’s video analyst, Fraser Gorman, and McAlear believes it has brought him luck at a time when Caley Thistle most need a rub of the green.

The midfielder, who will head back to Norwich City in the summer following his season-long loan in the Highlands, almost singlehandedly transformed his side’s Premiership hopes with a glorious late double in the first leg at on Friday night.

He struck in the 73rd and 80th minute just as the tie appeared to be running away from the home side, with St Johnstone in control.

Scotland youth international McAlear is unlikely to forget his vital contribution in a hurry after scoring with a superb free-kick to square the tie at 2-2.

He’s now targeting another upset at McDiarmid Park tomorrow night after Saints passed up several chances to make the return a formality — and he reckons it’s all down to an unlikely source.

He explained: ‘Fraser gave me a crayon six weeks ago and we haven’t lost a game since. He found it and told me it was a lucky crayon and it’s certainly been working.

‘I’ll be taking it with me on Monday in the hope it works again. It’s red and I’ve not drawn anything with it. I keep it in the changing room in my pocket. If we get the job done, then I’ll be keeping it forever.’

Saints threatened to overwhelm Caley Thistle after first-half goals from Shaun Rooney and Melker Hallberg emphasised their superiority. But the home side refused to throw in the towel and their never-saydie attitude was rewarded when McAlear struck twice in an amazing seven-minute spell late in the game.

He added: ‘It was right up there with my best experiences in football, as it’s the first time I’ve scored two goals in a game.

‘There had been a couple of chances where we were getting closer and you could see the crowd getting off their seats — and once that happens, it pushes you on.

‘But it’s still only 2-2 and we have to go for it again in the second leg.

‘Playing six games in three weeks is tough and we are feeling a bit tired but there’s a togetherness that is pushing everyone on.

‘This result has given us belief to go and win the game (in Perth) but we’ll need the same spirit and belief. There’s no point in playing if you don’t believe in each other. That’s the key and hopefully St Johnstone are a bit down.’

Despite wearing a haunted look at half-time, Caley

Jags manager Billy Dodds insisted that he never lost faith in his players.

He stressed: ‘We never know we’re beaten. We didn’t have to prove it, but we did so again.’