Inverness Caledonian Thistle have point to prove against Dundee United
Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson wants his players to show what they are capable of when they welcome Dundee United to the Highlands tomorrow.
The Championship is moving into its second cycle of games, which means ICT face a rematch of the opening day of the season when they lost 4–1 at Tannadice.
United still occupy top spot in the league, but though after that first result expectations were that The Terrors could run away with the title, Caley Thistle are not far behind them.
Early in the campaign, Robertson is conscious that victory tomorrow would still only be worth the same three points as any other win, but there is still pride at stake.
“It was the first game of the season, and they won three points for it, that’s it,” he said.
“If we win 1-0, 2-1, 6-5, it doesn’t matter because we get three points for it.
“Will there be a bit of motivation to show that we’re a better team than we were on the first day? Of course there will. But we’ve got to look at our strengths and what we’ve done well.
“When we’re at it, and we focus and play as a team, we’re a good side.”
At Tannadice back in August, Lawrence Shankland put Inverness to the sword with four goals.
He has stayed at the top of the scoring charts ever since, now on 15 league goals.
But while acknowledging the striker’s prowess, Robertson has warned of the dangers of focusing too much on a single individual.
“When you put Shankland in a side like United, who have the ammunition to provide him with chances, he will score goals,” Robertson admitted.
“He was rewarded with an international call-up and he scored, which proves the point that if you’re a goalscorer you can play in any company when your confidence is up. There’s no surprise whatsoever with Shankland.
“But to focus on him and him alone would be foolish.
“Nicky Clark traditionally does well against us, McMillan plays well, Louis Appere as well who’s capable.
“We’ll be well aware of all the threats United have, but what we need to do is get our threats into the game and pose them problems at the back.”
Much has been made of the disparity in budgets between ICT and United, with the Dundee outfit boasting far greater resources for their bid for promotion back to the top flight.
For some that would be a significant setback before they have even begun plotting a path to success, but Robertson sees it as a challenge to rise to.
“That’s part of the challenge,” he insisted.
“Not only are you pitting your wits against good managers, but you’re also pitting your wits against the might of the spending as well.
“If you look at everybody outwith Dundee, that’s what they will relish.
“We don’t have the money, but we can still find good players and play good football and try to challenge.”