Caley Thistle manager John Robertson has challenged his players to forget painful memories of relegation last season as they prepare for life in the Championship.
Robertson, pictured, will have his full squad at his disposal for the first time today, with a number of players returning having been unable to meet the new Inverness manager’s request they report for training last Thursday due to holidays.
Captain Gary Warren, David Raven, Owain Fon Williams, Scott Boden and Jake Mulraney were absent, while Carl Tremarco and Aaron Doran are recovering from long-term knee injuries.
Robertson has already added Falkirk attacker John Baird and is close to a deal for former Partick Thistle goalkeeper Mark Ridgers.
The 52-year-old is also monitoring a number of trialists, with former Motherwell defenders David Ferguson and Joe Chalmers as well as former Fort William attacker Scott Davidson training with the Highlanders.
As Caley Jags prepare for their first campaign in the second tier for seven years, Robertson warned they must banish memories of their dire last campaign.
Robertson said: “We had a brief chat last week and we will have another chat when the rest of the squad returns this week.
“We can’t do anything about last year. We have drawn a line in the sand, it’s finished. We start again in the Championship.
“We put the calls and texts out to the lads telling them they had to be back a week early because we needed more time. They were all fantastic. We had 17 players back on Thursday morning, with a lot of the young lads there.
“There were only three or four missing but that was due to the fact they planned holidays and weren’t back until Thursday.
“The rest of them are due back today so that tells me everything I need to know about their attitude and that they are determined to be back here. We need to get that work in so when we play Brechin City in the League Cup on July 15 they are raring to go.”
Robertson has returned to Caledonian Stadium 13 years after ending his first spell as manager to join Hearts, but he has been encouraged by the squad he has inherited.
Robertson said: “The desire is there. If last week’s attitude and application and desire are anything to go by then I will be more than happy.”
