Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has told his players they must show more bravery if Europa League ambitions are to turn into reality.
Inverness were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United on Tuesday, despite the Tangerines playing 84 minutes with only 10 men following the early dismissal of goalkeeper Michael Szromnik.
Hughes’ side also ended the match with 10 men after defender Gary Warren was sent off in injury time, but the Caley Jags manager felt his side should have taken maximum points.
He said: “It is all about having the right mindset. We have to have ice in our veins whoever we are playing against.
“Dundee United were up for the match after coming off two defeats.
“There wasn’t much football played in the second half, which was disappointing, but I wanted my team to get on the ball more than they did.
“We failed to do that and we need to learn from it.
“Next time it happens we need to be big and strong to make sure we play good football to take the sting out of the game.
“We just had to be brave and make a couple of passes.
“When we did that we looked like we could open them up and catch them.”
Hughes felt the early sending off had a negative impact on Tuesday’s ill-tempered match at Tannadice, in which referee Calum Murray produced eight yellow and two red cards.
The Inverness manager added: “At half time we were telling the players to watch what they did and how they tackled as we felt the referee was trying to even it up.
“We shouldn’t be doing that – we should be talking about football, how to get on the ball, express ourselves and entertain the supporters.
“I wanted three points. I felt we were good enough to go to Dundee United and pick up three points so it was disappointing that we didn’t manage to do it. I didn’t really enjoy the second half as there wasn’t much football played.
“We could have seen the game out but all credit to United.”