Caley Thistle manager John Hughes believes his players have underperformed this season.
The Highlanders finished third last season in a historic campaign for the club which culminated in the memorable Scottish Cup win against Falkirk at Hampden and a third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership which brought European football to the Highlands for the first time.
But Inverness have found it hard to replicate their glorious campaign of last season and seventh in the division is the best finish the club can hope for in an injury-plagued campaign.
Hughes is hurting at the fact his team has fallen short of the consistency of last term and has urged his players to use the pain of missing out on the top six this season as motivation for the next campaign.
He said: “We’ve underperformed this year and maybe injuries have played a part.
“We were never going to repeat last year but we should be in the top six. But when you don’t win matches you can’t achieve success.
“I want the players to look back on this season and say to themselves ‘I don’t want to be in that position again, I want to go out next season and enjoy myself and play with a smile on my face’.
“But all credit to the players; what they’ve never lacked is spirit and that was why I was delighted they beat Kilmarnock.”
One man who has given his all in the club’s unsuccessful bid to make the top six is midfielder Ross Draper but the Englishman showed no signs of easing up at the weekend, playing a starring role as his side came from 1-0 down to beat Killie at Caledonian Stadium.
Hughes said: “Ross has been like that for the last six weeks. He is the one who has been creating things for us in the box.
“He has a big powerful frame and with those big long legs of his he causes havoc.
“He is quick over 10 yards and I watched the replay of the penalty and could see he had read the situation.
“A lot has gone against us this year, so it was nice to get a big decision go our way at this time of the season.”
