ICT players target two wins

CALEY Thistle’s players have targeted two wins from their forthcoming matches against Ayr United and Kilmarnock in order to enjoy next month’s international break.

Inverness have yet to claim a victory this season with Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Aberdeen making it four defeats and one draw from their first five matches in the Scottish Premier League.

Tomorrow night, Caley Thistle are at Somerset Park to face First Division side Ayr in the second round of the Scottish Communities League Cup, while Killie are the visitors to Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on Saturday.

With the latest round of Euro 2012 qualifiers coming up at the beginning of next month, the next time Inverness will play is against Hearts at home on Saturday 10th September.

The prospect of going into the break still without a win, however, is not one Butcher and his players are willing to contemplate as they strive to finish what has been a difficult month on a high.

"The players were all talking after Saturday’s game about wanting to win these next two matches," said Butcher.

"They know it’s important because with the international break coming up then we’d be able to enjoy it that little bit more.

"I think these are two excellent matches for us and then when we come back after the internationals, we have a match against Hearts to look forward to. I’m sure everyone will be saying this is a big week for the club and it is, but then they are all big weeks when you are an SPL club."

Rob Milsom’s opener and Scott Vernon’s goal, which came after a mistake by new signing Roman Golobart, were enough for Aberdeen to secure their first success of the season at Caley Thistle’s expense. The Spaniard, who arrived last Friday on loan from English Premiership side Wigan Athletic, endured a difficult debut, but Butcher is confident he will learn from the experience.

"I have spoken to him about what happened and he’s fine," he said. "After he made the mistake, the next thing he did was back heel a pass to Graeme Shinnie, so it didn’t affect him for the rest of the game.

"It’s not ideal that he made the mistake when he did, but you have to react positively and I felt he did that well."

Golobart will be in the squad for the trip to Ayr, but Ross Tokely is in contention for a return to central defence after he missed the match

on Saturday because of a one-game suspension.

Jonny Tuffey could also be handed a start in goal, although Butcher is not contemplating wholesale changes as Caley Thistle look to avoid being on the wrong end of a cup upset tomorrow night.

"We’re still looking for that right blend and the team just needs to develop more of an understanding," he said. "It is for that reason that I will not be making radical changes.

"We’ve got Ross Tokely available again, which is a boost, and I’ll have to look at who plays in goal.

"If there are going to be any changes, then it will probably be in this position."