Doran shows Hughes what he's been missing
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
JOHN Hughes says Aaron Doran can prove him wrong for benching him for the opening three games of the season.
Doran emerged from the touchline with 20 minutes to go against Motherwell and had a big impact, curling home the decisive second goal in the 89th minute.
Now Hughes hopes he continues to show why he deserves a starting spot,after losing out to Danny Williams and James Vincent in the starting line-up.
When Vincent injured his groin against Dundee, Hughes turned to Welsh winger Marley Watkins from the bench and rewarded him with a start at Fir Park.
But Doran’s impact from the subs’ bench will gave his manager food for thought when picking his side for Celtic on Saturday.
"Aaron’s come on and basically scored a worldie," Hughes said. "He’s saying to me ‘How can I be sitting on the bench when I can do that?’
"Keep doing it Aaron. You’re probably one of the best technical footballers in that dressing room but we pick teams that we feel will go and win games.
"It’s a great reply in terms of showing the manager what he’s missing."
Hughes added that he will continue to challenge Doran and the rest of the squad, but has no doubts about the Irishman’s contributions this season.
"You challenge their character and mindset. The ones with the will to win come back and prove you wrong," said Hughes.
"Aaron Doran is too good a footballer to be sitting on the bench, that’s for sure. He’s just found himself at this moment a little bit unlucky.
"I’m 100 per cent confident if he stays fit and healthy, he’ll play in excess of 30 games this season."
It is not the first time the 23-year-old has been left out of a big game as he also featured from the bench in March’s League Cup final defeat to Aberdeen.
The victory over Motherwell took the Caley Jags to the top of the table and Hughes is not in the position where he has to make changes to his side.
Midfielders Vincent and Richie Foran sat out the game through injury, with the former expected back in the fold a lot earlier than the latter.
"James tweaked just above his groin, near the hip. It was a shame because he started off really well," said Hughes.
"He’s the one in training that’s looking really sharp and we’re hoping he’ll be fit and ready to go for next week."
Foran, however, will not be rushed back.
"It was only the other day I said to him ‘How’s your shoulder from last year?’ and he said ‘It’s worse than my knee’.
"We’re just going to let Richie take his time, recover and come back, but he’s sorely missed.
"That’s my frustration really because Richie has a massive part to play.
"I’m sure a lot of the boys in the dressing room will be saying that and wanting to take up the mantle for him.
"But he’s still the captain and the spirit of this football club."
The weekend’s win also meant Inverness extend their clean sheet record into next weekend’s Celtic game.
It mirrors the start the club had to last season, having an unbreached back line before heading into a contest with the Glasgow giants.
Dean Brill had very little to do against a blunt ’Well attack, which was well marshalled by Caley Thistle’s back four.
He is under no illusions that this is the best defence he has played with during his career.
"We’re really well balanced," he said. "(Graeme) Shinnie and Ravs (David Raven) will do their defensive work but can really get us up the pitch.
The former Luton stopper has not been immune to the effects of the new style of play implemented by Hughes, believing that he and centre-back pair Gary Warren and Josh Meekings have rarely touched the ball as often as they have this season.
"Gary and Josh complement each other really well. Josh is a real athlete and Gary is obviously a strong leader.
"The boys in front of me, right from the top with Billy and Marley, all work so hard. It’s three clean sheets in a row now, so it’s as much for the guys at the back as it is for me.
"The manager has given us the confidence to play out from the back. I get a lot more of the ball.
"I would say that was our most complete performance. We limited them to pretty much no shots on target, had a lot of the ball and used it well.
"It definitely makes my job easier and I wish we could do that every week. I love not touching the ball."
