Injuries cast shadow over ICT's five-star win

INVERNESS Caley Thistle cruised to a 5-0 friendly win at Forres Mechanics last night, but John Hughes will be sweating over the fitness of some of his top stars.

Defenders Josh Meekings and Danny Devine both limped off during the rout of the Highland League club, and if their injuries are serious Hughes could have a real selection headache.

Greg Tansey fired the Caley Jags in front at Mosset Park, curler in a beauty from 35 yards, before Devine doubled their advantage with a close range tap-in after a corner whipped in by Aaron Doran.

Billy Mckay, back for his first game after being given extra time off due to being called up for Northern Ireland at the end of last season, thought he’d opened his pre-season account shortly after but was ruled offside.

A crisp volley from the edge of the box from Nick Ross made it 3-0 to the visitors heading into half-time.

Hughes rang the changes at half-time, with Liam Polworth, Marley Watkins, Ryan Christie, Carl Tremarco and Danny Williams entering the fray in place of James Vincent, Nick Ross, Graeme Shinnie, Aaron Doran and Ross Draper.

Mckay had another big chance to get on the score-sheet when he was upended in the box by Forres goalkeeper Stuart Knight, but the stopper made amends by keeping out his spot-kick.

Calum Ferguson, brought on in place of the injured Devine, made it four for the Caley Jags when he struck high into the net from just inside the box.

And Mckay eventually bagged a well deserved goal when he turned and drilled home to round off the scoring for the Scottish Premiership side.

Caley Thistle will now prepare to head to League Two Elgin City this Saturday looking for their third win from three in pre-season.

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