Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has no qualms about facing Kilmarnock on the artificial Rugby Park surface tomorrow and is open to the idea of his own club adopting a similar pitch.
Hughes has prepared his squad for the change in surface by holding training sessions on the artificial pitch at Millburn Academy this week.
The last time Inverness played on an artificial pitch was the opening day of the Premiership season when they beat Hamilton Accies 2-0 at New Douglas Park, which remains the Lanarkshire side’s only home defeat of the campaign.
Hughes is supportive of Killie’s decision to deviate from a grass surface and would not be surprised to see the Caley Jags follow suit.
Hughes said: “I’ve not got a gripe against it and I think you’ll probably see it here in the next couple of years.
“Our preparation has been spot on to go to Kilmarnock. We’ve had a taste of the astroturf but I certainly think it’s a home advantage to anyone, because they’re training on it every day. But I’m not against it.
“I feel that’s the way Scottish football might be going. It helps financially but also with the community and academy because everything is at your club.
“Possibly in the next few years you could see it here. It could suit our style of play. I can see a good 50% of Scottish football going that way because of the finances.
“It’s the way to go, especially if you can get your academy on it.”
Although supportive of surfaces like Killie’s, Hughes highlighted the importance of applying water to the pitch before the game in order to accommodate quick passing football.
Hughes added: “It needs to have water on it. Everyone forgets about that.
“My experience of training on astroturf is in the summer it was sticky, it was bobbly, there were a lot of ankle twists and you could smell the rubber. When the rain came, the whole training session sped up.
“Be it sprinklers, hoses or water guns like they use in the hockey, it will be very conducive to our style of play.
“I saw Celtic use it in their 2-0 win against Kilmarnock on Monday and they were slide-tackling – – you can only do that when it’s got water on it.
“If it’s me and I’m sliding and it’s burning my leg, I’m suing the club. You need to get water on it. If we ever get it here, we’ll make sure we get water guns.”