Caley Thistle manager John Hughes wants his players to cap an excellent season by reaching their first Scottish Cup final with a win against Celtic tomorrow.
Inverness take on the Hoops in the semi-finals at Hampden Park, with Ronny Deila’s side strong favourites to get the win that would move them a step closer to completing the domestic treble in the Norwegian’s first season in charge.
Regardless of the outcome, Hughes has been impressed with the efforts of his Caley Jags players this season but feels moving within 90 minutes of the club’s first major silverware would be a just reward.
Hughes said: “If the season was to finish tomorrow I would say to these boys it’s been outstanding, the way they’ve taken everything on board and adapted; the way they train and police themselves and the demands they put on themselves.
“But now we are at this end of the season when the prizes get handed out and we’ve earned the right to be there. There’s no fear whatsoever.
“Having played in the League Cup final against Aberdeen last year was massive and shows what we are trying to do at this club.
“We’ve not got much and I think that’s our strength – that we don’t want much. There’s always a siege mentality as the underdog. If people give the players too much credit it spoils them.
“We do it our way and I see a lot of people who care for the club and who put their heart and soul into the club.
“If we could win on Sunday and give it back to these guys and the supporters it would be marvellous.”
Goalkeeper Dean Brill will miss the game having undergone surgery on a dislocated knee on Thursday, with veteran Ryan Esson to deputise.
Hughes reckons the 35-year-old will have a key role to play in keeping Celtic out and the Caley Jags manager added: “We are looking for guys like Ryan to have one of those games.
“In team talks I never talk about opposition goalkeepers and any weaknesses I might think they have because when I do nine times out of 10 they are the man of the match.
“Ryan is coming towards the last few years of his career and if he can be inspired and the rest of them can do their stuff then who knows.”
Meanwhile, Caley Thistle’s home match against Dundee United has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 5, with a 7.45pm kick-off. The game was postponed due to the Tannadice side being in the League Cup final last month.
The rearrangement means United will travel to Inverness twice in the space of 11 days, with a post-split fixture to follow on Saturday, May 16.