Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has challenged his players to show the desire to be first-team regulars next season.
Inverness play their final away game of the Scottish Premiership season at Motherwell tonight before ending the campaign with a home game against St Johnstone on Sunday, but Hughes is already turning his thoughts to next term.
The manager said: “Russell Latapy (assistant manager) has told the players when the train leaves the station they had better be on the platform. What he means by that is come the first game of next season we need a group of players all pushing to play.
“The likes of Nick Ross, Danny Williams and Liam Polworth have to come back aiming to have a starting place in the team. If they can do that it will push this squad to be do even better and I believe we can go and show Scottish football there is more to come from us.
“I’m all for my full backs pushing forward and Danny Williams has certainly got the legs to do that. I asked him to play left back on Saturday and he looked great there.
“He had the legs to win the race when United ran at him and he is willing to learn more, which makes him a great lad to work with for me.
“Carl Tremarco is another. He came to me and said he would play centre half as he knew we were struggling for bodies there. That’s what I want.”
Hughes has issued a rallying call to the fringe members of the first team but the same applies to players who have been regarded as mainstays of the side.
While delighted with the attitude and application of his squad, Hughes has already put his faith in it to compete in the top half of the division again next season. In return, he wants and expects more from his team.
He added: “Ross Draper is one of those whose work for the team goes unnoticed. I see him go and dominate in training and I know he can be a bigger and better player for Inverness.
“When Richie Foran was injured at Christmas, Ross came in and took the team by the scruff of the neck and I need to see that every week from him.
“He has a physical presence which could make him a great centre half in the future but right now he has so much more to give us in midfield.”
Hollow man, Page 55