Caley Thistle defender Coll Donaldson feels his side’s upcoming fixtures against mid-table rivals provides Inverness with the ideal opportunity to return to the play-off positions.
Inverness have slipped to fifth place below Queen of the South on goal difference, having failed to win any of their last three league matches.
John Robertson’s face Morton, who are a point behind the Highlanders, at Cappielow, with next weekend’s Highland derby away to Ross County followed by a home match against Queens on January 5.
Donaldson feels a strong run of results can help his side climb the table at the expense of their opponents, and he said: “The next few games are all against teams around about us, so it is important we start to pick up three points.
“We’re right in there, joint fourth at the moment. It will be topsy-turvy before the end of the season, with a lot of changes in league positions.
“Hopefully we can just put ourselves in that play-off zone by the time it really matters.
“Morton are doing well this year, like most years in this league. They are up near the play-offs.
“It will be a difficult test, but we believe in ourselves and will hopefully pick up three points.
“We had a similar fixture against Morton down there last year and got beat 1-0, but we also had a good experience against them down there last year, in the last game of the season, when we won 3-0.
“Hopefully, we can use that and pick up a good result.”
Inverness were unable to hold on to the lead in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Caledonian Stadium, however Donaldson took encouragement from the point against Robbie Neilson’s men, who he considers Caley Jags’ strongest opponents so far.
The 23-year-old added: “I feel we were better on Saturday against Dundee United. Personally speaking, I feel United are the best team we’ve played this season.
“When we played Ayr, they were down to 10 men quite early so we couldn’t really gauge much from that game.
“But this season, our toughest games have been the two draws with United, so it gives us a lot of encouragement how we performed.
“There were more positive signs.”
Donaldson insists he is abandoning all thoughts of next weekend’s derby against County at Victoria Park, adding: “All our focus is going to be on Morton and then we can take time to be with our families over Christmas, before turning thoughts to Ross County.
“I feel that’s maybe a good distraction, although there are a few big games coming up, not just Ross County. We’ve got our eyes firmly set on Morton.”