Caley Thistle midfielder Ryan Christie is determined not to allow speculation about his future affect his performances for the Highlanders.
Christie has been linked with a move to English Premier League side Swansea City, with Inverness eager to ensure the 20-year-old does not leave before the transfer deadline on September 1.
After starting on the bench in last weekend’s 4-2 defeat against Celtic at Parkhead, Christie was restored to the starting line-up for Saturday’s 2-0 loss against Hamilton Accies.
Christie said experience of dealing with similar speculation last season will allow him to take all transfer talk in his stride.
Christie said: “I feel I’ve learned from last season. It maybe got into my head then, without anything coming of it, so I know now until I get something concrete in front of me, it’s all just probably talk.
“I get friends texting and asking about it and I just have to tell them they know as much as I do.
“Right now, it’s about focusing on the games. It’s nice to hear the talk, but until I hear something concrete I don’t let it affect me.
“Maybe last season I took a dip in form around about January. I let it get to me a bit.
“But experience is important and this is my second season. I’ve learned to put it to the back of my mind.”
Inverness-born Christie sympathises with supporters following Saturday’s defeat against Accies, which stretched the Highlanders’ winless run to seven games.
Goals from Carlton Morris and Louis Longridge proved decisive in sinking Inverness, and Christie knows there must be a better showing from the Scottish Cup winners when they take on Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday.
“It wasn’t good enough,” said Christie. “I can understand the frustration, watching that, with clear-cut chances being made. It’s frustrating for us as well to be part of the game and be unable to get the final touch.
“I know we’ve achieved a lot last season but it is a new season and we’ve got to set our targets high.
“We knew at the start of the season it would be hard to replicate the previous successes. We wanted to do better than what we have so far.
“We’re not saying it is desperate measures right now but we need to rally again and go next week.”