Richie Foran rates today’s visit of Partick Thistle as a must-win encounter if Caley Thistle are to retain any hope of reaching the Premiership top six.
The Highlanders sit six points behind their Glasgow opponents and seven behind local rivals Ross County, the team sitting one place above Partick in sixth.
Even with 17 matches remaining, Foran – with his team now a point adrift at the bottom of the table – was under no illusions as to the importance of gaining a victory.
The Irishman said: “It’s the biggest game of our season – it is huge. We’ve had a good break and a fantastic result last weekend away to Elgin City in the Scottish Cup.
“Thistle were going well before the break and probably one of the only teams that didn’t want it come, while we welcomed it. We’ve come back really hungry and training has gone up a notch. We can’t wait to get going in the league.
“It’s a must-win game for us.
“We’ve got a great week coming up. We concentrate fully on Thistle then we’ve got Hamilton and Dundee. We’re looking for nine points to get us into the middle of the table.
“It’s a week we’re excited about. There’s a little bit of pressure with where we’re sitting in the table but we can only go up.
“Teams above us can go up but also come down. They’re looking over their shoulders.
“We need to win if top six is going to be realistic. It’s as simple as that. We’ve got lots of respect for Partick and there’s not a lot in it between most teams in the league.
“The first half of the season you’re looking to get the performances right but the second half is all about results. You need to be ruthless.
“It has to come Saturday – no more excuses.”
Foran has added Henri Anier, the former Motherwell and Dundee United attacker, to his ranks, along with former Shamrock Rovers and Bluebell United amateur attacker Dean Ebbe.
The Dubliner is working on at least two more January deals for unnamed targets and not ruling out completion of deals by today. He is also running the rule over a third potential signing, 41-times-capped Canadian international defender Adam Straith.
But Foran said: “We’ve brought Henri in and he is a big threat. We can change it up a bit as well. We’ve got offers out there for a defensive player and an attacking player so if we can get them in before Saturday as well, it’s looking good for us.”