Caley Thistle manager John Hughes believes his players will rally rapidly from the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of champions Celtic on Saturday with the added incentive of cup success.
A place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup is the prize when Dundee United head north on Sunday with the Caley Jags already in the League Cup final.
Hughes, who is expected to include midfielders Aaron Doran, groin injury, and Danny Williams, family bereavement, in his squad to face United on Sunday, will urge his players to forget all about last weekend’s heavy defeat.
He said: “It was a disappointing defeat against Celtic, but it will not define our season.
“We have a great month coming up with the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup this weekend and then a cup final to look forward to.
“Some teams have nothing to play for, but we are in there in the mix for success. When I first came in to the club we picked up a lot of injuries and suspensions.
“I feel we are only as good as our substitutes’ bench.
“When you look at the likes of Liam Polworth, Nick Ross, Carl Tremarco, Danny Williams and Danny Devine – and they have been on the bench at times – we don’t have a bad squad.”
Hughes gave replacements Devine, Marley Watkins and Ryan Christie playing time in the latter stages at Celtic Park, adding to the 49-year-old’s options for the United match.
He added: “They will all have a chance to play and show me what they have.
“Some of them will be a little disappointed to sit on the bench and will feel hard done by. But of course I will pick the team I feel can win matches. All the substitutes are supporters of their team-mates. I have been at clubs where there have been players who are selfish if they are left out and don’t want the team to win.
“They worry if the team wins they won’t get back in. I understand that, but we don’t have that here, we have a special spirit.”