Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has hailed returning defender Gary Warren as the club’s player of the season.
The central defender will return from a two-match suspension at Partick Thistle today, following his red card after an incident involving Dundee United forward Nadir Ciftci in last month’s 1-1 draw between the sides at Tannadice.
Danny Devine has been praised for his contribution, which included scoring the only goal of the game in the Scottish Cup quarter-final win against Raith Rovers, while Warren has been banned.
But Hughes labelled Bristolian Warren’s contribution as outstanding throughout the campaign and said: “Gary has probably been our player of the year.
“He was a little bit unfortunate to get the two-match suspension, especially when he was the victim of a forearm smash. It seemed, once again, we came off second best.
“But we took our medicine, we didn’t appeal. We got on with it, rested Gary and he’s been training really well. He’ll certainly come into our plans.”
Warren’s return is timely for Inverness as they try to bounce back from defeat at Motherwell in their last league game.
Caley Jags travel to Firhill to face a Partick Thistle side which has beaten them twice this season.
Hughes does not want to suffer for a third time as his side chases a place in European football next season.
He said: “I’m surprised they’re down there because I reckon they’re a top-six club. They’re a good side and we’re going to have to be at our best to pick up the three points.
“We’re playing against a Partick team which needs another two or three wins to make sure they stay in this league.
“I’m really excited and intrigued about how the season is going to pan out.
“What we’ve done up until now, getting to a national semi-final, and a couple of wins away from sealing a place in the top six, is absolutely fantastic. I’m intrigued to see how the players handle things.”