Caley Thistle manager John Robertson hopes ringing the changes for Saturday’s 2-0 Championship win over Dundee can keep his starting players on their toes.
Robertson made three changes for the trip to Dens Park after being left frustrated by the previous weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to Arbroath, with Jamie McCart, David Carson and Jordan White dropping to the bench.
Robertson was pleased with the impact of his reinforcements, with the Caley Jags boss insisting he will not hesitate to rotate should he feel the need.
Robertson said: “I made three changes – but I could easily have made six or seven.
“We had to look at the fact that Nikolay Todorov has waited for an opportunity, while Kevin McHattie has been magnificent as a professional.
“We also brought James Vincent back into the side, as we just thought we needed someone with a bit more on the ball.
“They came in and showed they can do the job we asked them to do.
“The lads that missed out will be needed – Jordan White, Jamie McCart and David Carson.
“That’s the kind of squad we’ve got, and they have to understand we can only play 10 players.
“We needed to have a wee shake up after last week. Those three were the unlucky ones that missed out, but it could easily have been another four or five of their team-mates.”
Robertson hopes forward Miles Storey and midfielder Charlie Trafford will be fit for Saturday’s home game against Queen of the South after taking early decisions to withdraw both players against Dundee.
Robertson says his substitutes must be ready to be called upon, adding: “Miles had a tight hamstring all week, but he felt OK in the last couple of days in training.
“It was just his last run when he felt it a wee bit.
“We have said to the players that with the quality we’ve got on the bench, they don’t need to take chances.
“Miles came off because he was feeling it, while Charlie Trafford has had a bit of a heavy cold and he felt after an hour he was struggling.
“He didn’t want to risk anything, and we’ve got David Carson there to do the job.
“Nikolay needs games. He was struggling after 70 minutes, he had given his all.
“The point we keep saying to the players is they might be disappointed at not starting, but they can still have a massive impact in the game.
“All three substitutes came on and did very well.”
