Ross 'invaluable' to ICT - Butcher

TERRY Butcher has hailed the impact of Nick Ross this season, insisting the versatile midfielder is an invaluable member of his Caley Thistle team.

Ross, who has started the last two games for Inverness on the left wing, was an unsung hero for Butcher following Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Dundee United that kept the Caley Jags at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

After missing the first half of the previous campaign with a dislocated shoulder, Ross found himself largely on the periphery having worked his way back to full fitness come December last year.

The 21-year-old, however, is highly rated by Butcher, who awarded Ross a two-year deal last season, and is confident the former Scotland under-21 player can continue to make a telling contribution after impressing at Tannadice.

"I thought Nick Ross played his best game ever for the club against Dundee United," said Butcher.

"He may not have scored, or set up the goal, but he put some lovely crosses in, while his partnership with Graeme Shinnie was good.

"I felt it would be nice to single Nick out for praise because he’s a player who rarely receives the plaudits.

"He’s playing in that left-sided position and has taken his chance by making a great contribution.

"You look at other teams in this league and I’m sure like a Nick Ross in their side because of what he gives you.

"Team underestimate Nick Ross at their peril because what he gives us is invaluable."

Butcher and his players now begin preparations for Saturday’s visit of Motherwell, but they will have to do so without last season’s top scorer Billy McKay who is with the Northern Irish squad ahead of tomorrow’s Word Cup qualifier against Russia at Windsor Park.

The striker, who scored 27 times for Caley Thistle in the last campaign, further enhanced his reputation with a second goal in as many games this season against United.

Butcher would not welcome any interest in McKay, who signed a two-year contract extension during the previous campaign, especially before the current transfer window closes, but accepts it is inevitable given his performances over the last 12 months.

"There’s not a lot I can do about it if there is interest in Billy," said Butcher.

"We’ve had it before with the likes of Adam Rooney and Jonny Hayes. We can’t just hope they don’t play well and won’t get noticed. We need them to be the best they can be.

"However, Billy is very happy and settled here. He enjoys playing for Caley Thistle."

Defender David Raven is expected to be fit to face Motherwell after picking up an injury to his left ankle against United, but Marley Watkins will not be involved.

The winger was set to feature for the under-20s against Celtic tonight, but has still yet to fully recover from an ankle problem.

Meanwhile, central midfielder Ross Draper is not bothered if some choose to label Caley Thistle as one season wonders.

Inverness are striving to better a fourth place finish in the league and the League Cup semi-final berth they achieved in the previous campaign, but there are doubters who have questioned if Inverness can do just that.

"We don’t mind people saying that," said Draper (24). "The pundits can say what they want.

"Inside our changing room it’s just us. We’re not bothered about what people say.

"We just try to go about our business the right way.

"This season we just wanted to hit the ground running as we didn’t start the previous campaign particularly well, yet we still had such a good season.

"We’ll just take each game at a time and see where it goes, but it’s good to have gone to Dundee United and got a result."