Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has challenged stand-in Marley Watkins to improve his scoring-rate to nail down the centre forward position.
Midfielder Watkins has led the line in Inverness’ last two games following the £150,000 departure of leading-scorer Billy Mckay to Wigan Athletic, scoring in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Ross County before finding the net again in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup.
Hughes reckons Watkins could have had more goals had he possessed natural attacking instincts, with the former Hereford United player missing two great chances before and after his 16th-minute goal against the Jags. Hughes believes the 24-year-old can thrive up front if he works hard enough, and said: “He’s got blistering pace and I wouldn’t like to play against that.
“We’re just grateful he took one of the chances. He’s learning his trade there. If he’s being ruthless and a right good finisher, which will come if he wants to be a centre forward, he could have had a hat-trick.”
Hughes is awaiting news on a groin strain suffered by midfielder Aaron Doran, who missed Saturday’s game against Thistle and will undergo a scan tomorrow.
Hughes added: “Aaron has been feeling it the last two or three weeks and that’s why we’ve been watching what we’re doing with him.
“Hopefully it’ll not be too serious and he’ll be back playing a part in the next couple of weeks. It’s one of these things. We’re flying and we sell our forward, and all of a sudden one or two of them are picking up injuries.”
Hughes was delighted to advance to the quarter-final stage of the Scottish Cup where his side have been drawn at home against Raith Rovers, but reckons February will be a crucial month for his side in the league. He said: “It’s just a matter of getting through this and staying in the competition. It keeps us rolling along. We’ve had a wonderful January and this just adds to it at the start of February. This is a big month, it will tell us where we’re going.
“Even in the second half on Saturday when we were up against it, I could see the spirt, desire and determination. Players go out, others come in but they all just seem to play their part.”