Caley Thistle assistant manager Scott Kellacher says Inverness’ attackers have been challenged to step up to the mark in their crucial upcoming fixtures.
Inverness host Dundee United tomorrow, in a match which is followed by away matches against Morton and Ross County before John Robertson’s men reach the halfway stage of the campaign.
Caley Jags slipped to fifth in the table on goal difference behind Queen of the South last weekend following the postponement of their away match against Ayr United, and are aiming to regain their place among the play-off spots during their festive schedule.
Kellacher feels Inverness’ forwards hold the key to turning more draws into victories, and with Tom Walsh and Jordan White each having netted three goals in their last two games against Falkirk and Edinburgh City, he is demanding more of the same in the coming weeks.
Kellacher said: “We questioned the lads about it probably five or six weeks ago. We were keeping clean sheets but struggling to score goals.
“We kept putting it to them that we needed more goals from them and they had to rise to the challenge.
“They do plenty of it in training – crossing, finishing, shooting – to give them the best preparation. If they get a chance out on the pitch they have to take it.
“Against Edinburgh City, it was good to see all our forward players scoring. We are certainly looking for more of that.
“Any small advantage can make a difference. The first goal is so important, too. If you get that, it is something to hold on to.
“Teams have come up here and frustrated us, scored the first goal and sat in. It is hard to break down teams intent on that.”
A victory at Caledonian Stadium would move Inverness to within three points of United with a game in hand, however Kellacher does not feel the outcome of the game will prove defining in Caley Jags’ play-off hopes.
He added: “I don’t think it is just hard between the top four, it is a hard league full-stop. The teams near the bottom can beat teams near the top. You don’t know what you’re getting from one week to the next.
“We know there are probably seven or eight teams capable of finishing in that top four, so it is important we try and get into that top four and away from teams below us.
“Hopefully we can get enough points on the board to get us to where we want to be.”
