Scottish Cup: Edward Ofere eyes final Inverness flourish

Edward Ofere's goal secured a Europa League place

Edward Ofere scored the goal that secured a first qualification for Europe but could exit Inverness even if he wins them the Scottish Cup as well.

The 29-year-old striker is out of contract in the summer and negotiations are on hold until after Saturday's final against Falkirk at Hampden.

His six goals in 12 games for Caley Thistle have attracted other admirers.

"I just keep focusing and working hard as that's got me to where I am today," he told BBC Scotland.

"Right now, it's going well for me and I'm excited. I can't complain about that.

"It is going to be an amazing atmosphere in the Cup final.

"It has been a dream of a lifetime to achieve something like this."

Having started his career with Enugu Rangers in his Nigerian homeland, Ofere numbers Swedish champions Malmo and Italian Serie A outfit Lecce among his former clubs.

His tour of colder European climes took him back to Sweden with Trelleborgs, Denmark with Veststaelland and then Sognal in Norway before he landed in one of the Scottish Premiership's northerly outposts.

Edward Ofere scored three goals in 27 appearances for Lecce

In February, Ofere was drafted in by John Hughes on a short-term deal as the Caley Thistle manager sought a solution to a striking problem presented by top scorer Billy Mckay's sale to Wigan Athletic shortly before the January deadline day.

The Nigerian admits that, despite finding the net in his debut against Motherwell, he did not quite make the immediate impact he had hoped for.

However, the bedding-in period over, he has proved as prolific as the departed Northern Ireland international.

Goals in all but two of Caley Thistle's last seven games have included one in the semi-final win over Celtic and another in a 1-0 win over Dundee that secured third place in the Scottish Premiership and ensured a debut in next season's Europa League qualifiers.

Asked what it would mean if he could continue his scoring streak at Hampden on Saturday, he said: "It would be really important.

"I'm excited, I've been scoring goals and, as a striker, that's what you want to achieve when you go to a team.

"It's not just only me, it is the work of the team. They have assisted me a lot, so it has been good.

"If we are able to win the Cup, and hopefully we will, and I'm not underestimating the other team, but we've just got to take our chance and go for victory."

Only after Saturday will it become clear if any more Scottish Cup scoring feats turn out to be Ofere's final flourish in a Caley Thistle shirt.

"I just want to keep doing the best that I can and keep scoring goals," he stressed.