Caley Thistle’s players breathed life into their season the last time they faced St Johnstone at Caledonian Stadium, and manager Richie Foran wants another significant result against the Perth side this afternoon.
After starting the campaign with three straight defeats, Inverness secured their first points of the season in a 2-1 home win against Saints with defender Josh Meekings scoring a late winner.
The result was the start of a run of only one defeat from nine matches.
Tommy Wright’s men have already secured a sixth successive top-half finish and Foran is an admirer.
With his side three points adrift at the foot of the table with just seven games left the Irishman has challenged his players to match their opponents’ ability to grind out a much-needed victory, and said: “It was nice to see other results went our way in midweek, but we’ll try our best to focus on ourselves and St Johnstone.
“We had a good performance against them earlier in the season and scored late. It gave us a huge boost and we kicked on after that as well.
“St Johnstone were excellent in their 1-0 win against Hearts in midweek. Brian Rice went to watch them and it was a well-deserved win. They are a very well-organised team with players who know their jobs.
“They have a plan and stick to it very well. They’re experienced, organised. Credit to them. It’s another top six finish for Tommy and he has done a remarkable job there.
“A lot of it is about recruitment and Tommy has done very well with that. He brings in experienced players who know their jobs and play for each other. They have been able to grind out results this season. We haven’t.”
Foran restored midfielder Liam Polworth, pictured, to the team for Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat against Aberdeen, with the Caley Jags manager pleased with the Inverness-born player’s display.
“He was our best player against Aberdeen and we need that every game from him. I needed a bit more aggression from him on and off the ball and he showed that. He’s set the standard now.”