Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher wants his players to seize the chance to make up for last season’s semi-final defeat by Hearts in the League Cup after once again being paired with the Jambos.
The Highlanders missed out on their first major cup final when they were beaten on penalties at Easter Road in the last campaign but Butcher wants his men to use the pain of those memories to inspire them towards victory after being drawn against Gary Locke’s side in yesterday’s semi-final draw at Hampden.
Butcher said: “We want to go further than last year.
“It was heartbreaking to go out on penalties against Hearts. We were angry because we thought we should have gone through over the 120 minutes.
“It was really disappointing but we can use that anger and turn it into a winning display.”
The other semi-final pits Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes against his former club St Johnstone and Butcher believes all four teams will be daring to dream of lifting the League Cup.
Butcher’s men were tipped to beat Hearts a year ago before losing on penalties and the manager knows victory, rather than the performance, is all that matters when the semi- finals are played on the weekend of February 1 and 2.
He said: “All the teams left in the competition will fancy their chances, with Celtic being out.
“There will be a name going on the trophy that wasn’t expected to be there at the start of the competition. Hopefully, it could be Caley Thistle’s name.
“Celtic going out has spiced things up. Anyone can beat anyone in the Scottish Premiership. There has to be a winner on the day and it’s not about wonderful football or making 20 to 30 passes.
“It’s about making sure you are the winner when the referee blows the final whistle.”
Hearts midfielder Jamie Hamill believes setting up a League Cup semi-final against Inverness can get their season going.
He said: “It’s great to have a repeat of last year’s semi-final. It’s in February, so it’s still a wee while away and, hopefully, we can pick up a few points between now and then.
“Winning the cup would be a massive achievement with the situation we are in and the administration.
“The manager is on a tight budget as well with the squad but, hopefully, this can kick-start the season and we can pick up results.
“Being in the semi-finals of the cup is really good.”