Three second half goals ensured Caley Thistle ended their home campaign in the Scottish Premiership in style against a Dundee United side who were left to rue several missed chances in the Highlands.
Goals from Josh Meekings, Nick Ross and Gary Warren rounded off a comprehensive win for the Highlanders who are warming up nicely for their Scottish Cup final on May 30.
Caley Jags manager John Hughes made two changes to the side which clinched a place in Europe at Dundee last weekend with Marley Watkins and Danny Williams dropping to the bench.
Aaron Doran and James Vincent took their place in the starting 11.
Dundee United, who arrived at Caledonian Stadium in fifth place following St Johnstone’s point gained in their goalless draw against Celtic on Friday, made one change with Charlie Telfer replacing Calum Morris.
There was little importance on the game for Inverness and it showed at times with some careless passing, but the home side should have taken the lead when John Souttar failed to clear a cross, only for Aaron Doran to fire the ball wide of Radoslaw Cierzniak’s left post with the goal at his mercy.
But United had chances of their own to take the lead and they would have been ahead before the break had it not been for the efforts of Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson.
His first save to deny Charlie Telfer was terrific but his second to keep out a John Rankin drive was equally impressive.
Esson continued to impress in the second half, making a fine one-handed stop to keep out Nadir Ciftci’s angled drive as the Tangerines chased an opening goal.
But United’s hopes of moving back above St Johnstone suffered a blow in the 54th minute when Gary Warren headed Greg Tansey’s corner back across goal. United goalkeeper Cierzniak misjudged the bounce of the ball and Josh Meekings stuck a leg out to knock the ball over the line.
United attacker Robbie Muirhead tried his best to keep the shot out, but his handball was adjudged to have happened when the ball was already over the line. But referee Craig Thomson, despite awarding the goal, booked Muirhead for unsporting behaviour.
Caley Jags made the points secure 10 minutes from time when Meekings’ deflected Josh Meekings’ shot into the path of Nick Ross who fired home.
Gary Warren’s header rounded off more set-piece misery for the Tangerines when he headed a Tansey corner past Cierzniak.