Prior to Caley Thistle’s opening-day victory against Aberdeen many had made the Highland side favourites for relegation.
After losing Marius Niculae, Dennis Wyness and Graham Bayne in the summer Craig Brewster entered the club’s fifth season in the SPL with just three forwards.
Caley Thistle’s seemingly limited attacking options and ninth-placed finish in the previous campaign led to a plethora of gloomy predictions about their prospects this term. But in breaking a winless streak which numbered 17 games against the Dons and finding a natural goalscorer in Andy Barrowman, Inverness have posted an early message of intent.
Barrowman, at 23, is the oldest forward at the club and moved across the Kessock Bridge from Ross County after a 29-goal haul for the Second Division champions. Going into the match against Aberdeen he had made just three substitute appearances for Kilmarnock in the top flight, two seasons ago.
The Wishaw-born attacker had much to prove after moving up two divisions and he scored on his Inverness debut within 27 minutes.
Showing a keen predatory instinct and impeccable timing, Barrowman waited patiently at the back post for Ross Tokely’s low cross and sent the ball assuredly past Jamie Langfield in the Aberdeen goal.
While it would be foolish to judge any player on just one match, Barrowman looks a far more mobile and capable attacker than the highly-paid Niculae, who finally left Caley Thistle at the start of the month.
Inverness will not miss Niculae this season, despite the fact he scored 10 goals last term, two of them in a League Cup tie against Arbroath.
The Romanian was simply not suitable for Scottish football and although a technically proficient player, his lack of pace meant he never fully adapted to the frantic way in which the game is played in this country.
Brewster had no option but to pick the former Sporting Lisbon and Mainz player given his £4,000 weekly wage and the Caley Jags will feel the losses of Wyness and Bayne far more.
Rory McAllister, 21, and Garry Wood, 20, remain the Highland club’s only other outright attackers and they will surely have to add at least one more forward to their squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Inverness lost their opening six league games last season and were determined not to begin so poorly this campaign.
As well as Barrowman’s impressive display, captain Grant Munro was outstanding, making several timely blocks to prevent Aberdeen coming back into a game in which they held possession for considerable periods.
Dougie Imrie’s elevation from the junior ranks to the SPL is remarkable and he is improving with every game.
The combative midfielder could have scored twice but instead provided the lay-off for Aberdonian Roy McBain to slot home the second in his 300th game for the Highland club.
Inverness now have home games against Hamilton and Hibs to consolidate after a deserved win in their first league game.