Caley Thistle last won at Dingwall nearly 10 years ago and Ross County manager Derek Adams wants to keep it that way in tonight’s second Highland derby of the campaign.
Ross Tokely netted the winner on Tuesday, August 24, 2004, as Caley Jags progressed to the third round of the League Cup.
Since then, the Staggies have gone five games unbeaten against Inverness at Victoria Park and already have the bragging rights this term after winning 2-1 at Caledonian Stadium on New Year’s Day.
Adams said: “We have a good record at home and we are proud of that.
“You always want to do well here because you have more of a crowd at the game. The games are evenly matched. They have good attacking players and a good physical presence and so do we. It is going to be an exciting game and I reckon there will be goals in it. We drew 3-3 in the Scottish Cup here and that shows how exciting this fixture can be.”
Highland football supporters have been waiting eagerly for the rescheduled derby at Dingwall after floodlight failure caused the original fixture to be postponed on Friday, October 25.
Adams feels that Caley Jags may still be adapting under new manager John Hughes after losing Terry Butcher to Hibernian.
Adams added: “John wants his teams to play from the back and that is what he will get them to start to do.
“It probably won’t happen for him this season but from next season he will look at it.
“John and Terry are two different managers with two different styles of play.
“But right now, Inverness still play the way Terry had them playing football and I don’t see that changing this season.
“Every derby match needs a strong referee but over the last few years this game has not caused too many problems.
“I know Ross Draper was sent off in the last one but it has been well maintained over the years.
“I don’t think there will be a problem this week – as long as the lights stay on this time.”
County’s New Year victory was the catalyst for the Dingwall team to start climbing the table.
Adams said: “The win at Inverness on New Year’s Day was the start of our good run.
“We went 2-0 up early in the game and put in a good allround team performance.
“Since then we have won four matches, lost two and drawn two.
“The new players we brought in have started to gel now.
“There was no better way to get over the wee slump we had been having than going out and winning a derby.”