Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran has praised his players for the way they have dealt with the early return to competitive action for this season’s newly-introduced Betfred Cup group stage.
Inverness top Group C, ahead of Dundee United having won a game more, with the two sides level on goal difference and goals scored.
The Highlanders will be virtually assured a last-16 place if they defeat Arbroath at Caledonian Stadium today, although they must wait until the conclusion of United’s game against Dunfermline tomorrow before discovering if they have done enough to win the group.
Foran is an advocate of the revamped format and has been pleased with the way his squad has adapted to the change.
He said: “I think it’s been great. The only thing I would change is to allow a couple of extra subs. It’s brought a crowd down to a high intensity game, instead of pre-season games, which helps lads settle in.
“I’m really behind what they’ve done. We want to get our whole squad fit over pre-season and unfortunately we can only use 14 players, so that’s the only thing I’d change.
“The boys look after themselves when they’re away – I knew they’d be right when they came back. We also gave them a programme for the last three weeks they were off, which they stuck to. We’re running a really professional camp here.
“They still need their rest, though, and a few of the lads went to the pool on Thursday after they’d been pushed too hard. They know their bodies.”
Foran is pleased with the way his side is shaping up ahead of next weekend’s Premiership opener away against Partick Thistle.
He said: “I think we’ve improved in every performance. We’ve upped it in terms of how we’ve been keeping the ball and how we’re pressing.
“It’s really looking good for the months ahead.”
Caley Jags will be able to call upon midfielder Jake Mulraney, who came through training unscathed despite being forced to come off in Tuesday’s 5-1 win against Dunfermline due to a knee injury.
