Consolidating second place is James Vincent’s prime objective in the latter part of Caley Thistle’s Championship campaign.
Although Inverness’ home game against Queen of the South today has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch, the Highlanders are guaranteed to remain second due to their four-point gap over nearest challengers Ayr United.
Caley Jags are in Scottish Cup action away to Alloa Athletic next weekend, but face a crucial trip to Ayr in their next league outing on January 25.
With Inverness 14 points adrift of runaway leaders Dundee United, Englishman Vincent feels his side must ensure they remain best of the rest at least.
Vincent said: “I think, like the manager has said, you have to give credit to Dundee United – they have been relentless.
“They found that winning streak and they’ve been consistent.
“For us, we’ve spoken about what we need to do and we just need to concentrate on ourselves and see where we come at the end of the season.
“We’re sitting in second at the moment and, if both teams keep going the way they are, that’s how it will finish at the top end.
“We need to look at second spot and try to build ground. That’s what you do all season – try to get away from the teams below and catch the teams above. That’s all you can do. You can’t worry too much about places.
“It is up to us to find consistency levels and just push as high as we can.”
Vincent was encouraged by Caley Thistle’s return to winning ways against Dundee at Dens Park last weekend, after they fell to a 1-0 home loss to Arbroath seven days previously.
The 30-year-old added: “It was good – it was what the team needed. We were below par against Arbroath, all of us, which is rare. The whole team didn’t show up.
“For the whole team to then go and put in a performance like that against Dundee, away at Dens Park, was a huge positive.
“It shows we can bounce back, but we need to find the consistency levels where we also do it against teams like Arbroath because that’s twice this season we haven’t turned up against them.
“Finding consistency can ensure we push high up the table.
“I think it was a blip. We are sitting second in the table for a reason. Going to Dens Park and getting a result like that shows we can compete against the top teams.
“It is just something we have to knock out of our game and make sure those blips are as rare as possible.”
Vincent made his return to the starting line-up against former club Dundee after being sidelined with a calf injury, and he hopes to maintain his place in John Robertson’s side.
He added: “It was good to be back – it is never good to be injured.
“I was out for a couple of weeks and then I was on the bench against Arbroath and didn’t get on.
“It is good to be part of a good performance when you come back into the team and, hopefully, I can stay part of the manager’s plans.
“I thought everyone was fantastic against Dundee – the whole team performed.
“Hopefully that gives the manager some thought process and I find myself in the team again.”
