Caley Thistle rounded off their short pre-season schedule with a 6-0 win at Highland League hosts Nairn County.
Two quick-fire goals from Adam Brooks, who joined from Celtic on Saturday, put ICT in control inside nine minutes. An own goal and a Billy McKay strike made it four soon after. An Ethan Cairns header early in the second half and a late Austin Samuels strike rounded it off.
Assistant manager Scott Kellacher was thrilled to see the Caley Jags players look as sharp as possible just a few days before their competitive season starts at home to Bonnyrigg Rose in the Viaplay Cup.
He said: “The boys were excellent and their attitudes were very good. In these games, you want minutes in the legs and you want the boys to work hard and pass it quickly. They did exactly what was asked of them.
“Over last weekend (against Elgin) and tonight, all the boys have had 90 minutes. The young boys are doing great as well, which is great to see. We need them to push on, while the boys who have joined also settled in great.
“We were delighted for Adam, who has settled in great and looked sharp and that’s what we were looking for. He’s off the shoulder and reacting. He and Billy Mckay alongside him look sharp and they took their goals really well.”
Kellacher also confirmed trialist Harry Lodovica will remain with the side until the end of this week when a decision will be made over a possible deal offer.
Nairn manager gutted by heavy loss
Home boss Steven Mackay admitted his team will have to learn from this sore scoreline, despite it being a bounce game.
He said: “Although you don’t read too much into the result in pre-season, there were a lot of things I wasn’t happy with.
“Credit to Caley Thistle – their movement was exceptional. They were sharp and really clinical, but we presented them with too many chances and too much space, which was quite disappointing.”
For Inverness, this was their second and final warm-up match before they kick off against Bonnyrigg on Saturday.
As they did in their 4-1 victory against League Two Elgin City on Saturday, they changed their entire starting 11 at the break.
Wee County, who lost 3-1 against Premiership Ross County last week, were 4-1 friendly victors against Nairn St Ninian on Saturday.
There was a home start on his debut for Scotland schoolboys international Aaron Nicolson, who was released by ICT over the summer. He joined Nairn on Monday.
Lightning start as Brooks nets twice
On a wet and miserable evening, two goals inside 90 seconds put ICT on control. Billy Mckay darted down the right and slid the ball in for Brooks, who converted from close range.
Then, just after the restart, the 19-year-old forward latched on to a long ball, kept his composure and knocked home number two.
It was 3-0 after 20 minutes when, from a corner, the ball seemed to slice off home captain Angus Dey and have enough on it to beat goalkeeper Dylan MacLean.
Nairn were getting no luck, despite looking comfortable on the ball when allowed.
Main Inverness striker Billy Mckay got in on the scoring a few minutes later with a neat finish after a lay-off from Brooks.
There was no further damage in the first half, but Cairns headed home a fifth 10 minutes after the restart as he connected with Aaron Doran’s cross.
55' | 0-5
GOAL! Ethan Cairns makes it five with a close range header after meeting Aaron Doran's corner in the box.
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) July 11, 2023
Cairns and Samuels round off rout
Lodovica, who was at Chelmsford last term, was looking to win a deal at Caley Jags as part of the interval reshuffle, having also featured against Elgin.
However, Nairn were determined to keep it tight and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when Conor Gethins hooked his effort over the top.
Lodovica tested Lewis Munro with a shot late on, but the sub keeper beat the ball clear.
Samuels got the last goal when he was sent clear by Jake Davidson and he guided the ball into the net.
Overall, it was a slick, sharp display from Inverness, while the hosts could be heartened by an improved second half.
Nairn are away to Hillfield Swifts at Inverkeithing on Saturday for their next friendly.
NAIRN COUNTY: Maclean (Munro 84), Carnighan (Gethins 61), Rennie (Lisle 46), Tokely, Dey, McKenzie, Eadie (Trialist 46), Gillies, Nicolson, Davidson, Gordon (Young 72).
CALEY THISTLE: Cammy MacKay (Ridgers 46), Duffy (Strachan 46) , Welsh (Gilmour 46), Delaney (Devine 46), Carson (Davidson 46), Billy Mckay (Trialist/Lodovica 46), MacGregor (Cairns 46), Nicolson (Harper 46), Shaw (Samuels 46), Brooks (Thompson 46), Bray (Doran 46).
Referee: Kevin Buchanan.
