Caley Thistle manager John Robertson has set his side the challenge of replicating the heroics of Inverness’ class of 2015 by lifting the Scottish Cup this season.
Inverness begin their Scottish Cup campaign with today’s tie away to Alloa Athletic, who are bottom of the Championship.
Robertson oversaw an excellent cup run in last season’s competition, which saw Caley Jags reach the semi-finals before losing out 3-0 to Hearts at Hampden Park.
The Inverness boss insists his side must not settle on that achievement, and instead look to the club’s finest hour – which saw them lift the trophy with a final victory over Falkirk under John Hughes five years ago – for inspiration.
Robertson said: “We have won it. We’ve got the pictures down in the hallway, reception, the players’ tunnel and dressing room that show the glorious day it was.
“We want them to look at that and take great belief that they can do it as well.
“We had a wonderful run last year and I was hugely disappointed to lose in the semi-final. I wanted us to go all the way and win it.
“We’ve said to the guys today, it’s not about a run in the cup, it’s about going and trying to win it.
“That’s no disrespect to Alloa, it is the mentality I want the players to have.
“I want them to have it in their heads that we’re not in it just for a good run or a good time, we’re in it to win each round we can.”
Robertson is determined to build on a strong personal record in the Scottish Cup, adding: “At Hearts we were always at the business end of the trophies – I reached four cup finals and seven or eight semi-finals.
“As a manager, I’ve been fortunate here at Inverness. This is my fifth full year as a manager here and we’ve had three Scottish Cup semi-finals, all as Championship teams.
“Unfortunately, we’ve lost all three, but in three of the four seasons we’ve made the semi-final which is remarkable.
“I want to get that ‘in it to win it’ mantra to them and do the same.”
Robertson, who will have Tom Walsh back in his squad following a long-term hamstring injury, is not underestimating the threat posed by Peter Grant’s Wasps.
He added: “All we want to do is get through to the next round. There’s no point in speculating about anything else.
“It’s cut-throat – Alloa will be looking at it the same.
“They’re at home and will fancy their chances. It is the opportunity to go through and play high-profile games.”
