Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran aims to introduce more youngsters to his first-team this season.
A number of players from Inverness’ under-20s side have featured in all four of the Highlanders’ pre-season friendlies, including yesterday’s 3-1 victory against Clachnacuddin at Grant Street Park.
Ali Sutherland and Sam Robertson were on target against the Lilywhites, with midfielder Andrew Macrae claiming two assists.
Foran has been impressed with the way the youngsters have acquitted themselves among the senior players, and says they will be more involved with his first-team this season.
Foran said: “It can only help them being around the first-team and playing with the quality we have.
“We’ll be using them more in our training than we have over previous seasons. We’ll try to improve them. We want to try to settle them down for when they come into the first-team, so they’re not in awe. There are three or four, if not more, talented players we’re looking forward to getting involved.”
Caley Jags begin competitive action with a League Cup tie away to League 2 Cowdenbeath on Saturday, and Foran is pleased with his side’s fitness so far, adding: “We’re upping it all the time. We gave a few of the squad who didn’t play at Buckie a game, so everyone has got an equal amount of game time and come through it injury-free.
“I’m really pleased with the quality over the two games. The players are looking really sharp and fitness-wise they are probably about 75% there.”
Inverness took the lead on four minutes when Sutherland’s side-footed effort from the edge of the box crept in at the far post. Alex Fisher was close to doubling the advantage moments later when he cracked an effort off the outside of the left-hand post, however Caley Jags were not to be denied on seven minutes when Macrae set up Robertson who shot low past goalkeeper John Campbell.
Inverness added a third goal six minutes before the interval, when the lively Macrae supplied a cross for Fisher to head home.
Clach spurned a glorious chance to pull one back on 58 minutes after Liam Polworth was penalised for bringing down Martin Callum inside the box, but Stuart Leslie sent his spot-kick high over the crossbar.
The Lilywhites were not to be denied on 66 minutes, however, when a mix-up between Lewis Horner and Jason Brown allowed in Liam Shewan, who slotted past Mackay.
