Raith Rovers clash is ideal for Hughes
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JOHN Hughes expects Championship hosts Raith Rovers to provide the perfect test when Caley Thistle’s pre-season tour stops off at Kirkcaldy this Saturday.
Ramsdens Cup holders Rovers, who signed former Celtic and Dundee winger Ryan Conroy this week, drew 1-1 with Scottish Cup winners St Johnstone on Saturday and Hughes knows several players at the Starks Park club.
He said: "Ryan will be a good signing for Raith. I remember looking at him when I was at Livingston and when he was at Celtic.
"Three or four of my ex-Livingston boys at Raith – Craig Barr, Paul Watson, Callum Booth and Liam Fox, who was at Inverness and will become a coach or manager one day, are all at Raith.
"Rovers will be another good test for us. They had a good draw against St Johnstone, who are ahead of schedule (because of their Europa tie tonight (Thursday) away to FC Luzern in Switzerland). We want to give the lads game time and come through unscathed."
Rovers go into Saturday’s friendly on the back of a 4-0 home defeat to English League Two side York City on Tuesday.
ICT's fine summer form continued on Wednesday when they ran out 2-0 winners at Highland League champions Brora Rangers, with a James Vincent penalty and a Marley Watkins goal seeing off their hosts.
This follows on from a 2-1 weekend victory at League Two opponent Elgin City as goals from Billy Mckay and Marley Watkins cancelled out an early Craig Gunn spot-kick.
Hughes was satisfied that, when pressed by Barry Wilson’s Elgin, his players stood up to the test on Saturday and he’s happy that, once more, that some have shown their versatility.
He explained: "We got off to a shaky start at Elgin, but that was probably what we needed. We have chopped and changed and asked the players to play in different positions and they have come up trumps.
"We asked players last season to play in certain positions because we were short in numbers. It’s important we see that again now so that if we are dealt that hand again we know we have players who can adapt.
"It’s good for them to get another string to their bow, like Drapes (Ross Draper) at centre half, Danny Williams on left midfield or left-back or Graeme Shinnie at left-back or left midfield and Marley Watkins in a centre forward role. He should have scored another couple of goals, but his movement was very good. It’s about seeing if you can be a handful up front.
"We lost an early goal, but we recovered well. I can see what we are doing on the training pitch is coming to fruition in terms of rotation and passing the ball properly.
Next Wednesday, ICT head to Banff to take on Highland League side Deveronvale before hosting English League Two side Fleetwood Town on Sunday, July 27 in their only home game before the season starts.
The Inverness team travel to English Championship opponents Birmingham City on Saturday, August 2 – seven days before their league campaign begins at Hamilton Accies.
