Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has urged his players to use memories of the two victories against Premiership champions Celtic last season to fuel belief they can win for the first time this season at Parkhead.
Inverness defeated the Hoops 1-0 in a league match at Caledonian Stadium in August, before a 3-2 extra-time victory against Ronny Deila’s side at Hampden Park in April clinched their place in the Scottish Cup final, which they won 2-1 against Falkirk.
Hughes hopes his players will relish the opportunity to take down Celtic on their own turf today and said: “It’s an arena that has to inspire players. We’re playing against the best players in Scotland, the champions, and if it was me I’d be rubbing my hands in anticipation.
“I’m not a shrinking violet and if the players believe in themselves, they can express themselves and give themselves a right chance.
“That has to be the whole lot of them this weekend. We beat Celtic twice last year and took the game to them in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
“We have nothing to lose. We’re on a hiding to nothing when we go to Parkhead. Let’s have a go.”
Celtic must make amends for the 2-2 draw at struggling Kilmarnock on Wednesday and but the Inverness game comes just four days before the first leg of the Glasgow side’s Champions League play-off round match against Swedish side Malmo at Parkhead.
Hughes knows Celtic have the strength to rotate their squad, and said: “They have great numbers to pick from. Kris Commons picked up an injury against Kilmarnock but they have Gary Mackay-Steven who will come in. That’s what they’ve got at their disposal.
“They wouldn’t have wanted to risk Scott Brown on Kilmarnock’s pitch, given his hamstring injury. But I guarantee the team against Malmo will be his first choice and I’m expecting to face a full-strength Celtic team as those players need to get up to speed.”