Caley Thistle manager John Robertson has praised his side for answering the questions posed to them following last month’s 3-0 Championship loss to Arbroath.
Inverness have made a strong return to form since their chastening Gayfield defeat on November 9, racking up three straight league victories along with a Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup win over Clyde on penalties.
Robertson revealed home truths were shared after the loss to the Red Lichties, but the Caley Jags boss feels his side have come up with the desired response with a run of form which has returned them to second in the table.
Robertson said: “In this league, when you’re playing well and on top you have to win games because you will have a spell when it’s just not happening for you. It’s how you respond to that.
“The Arbroath second half was disturbing because we didn’t press or look after the ball, we didn’t look as if we wanted to be there.
“We got what we deserved which was absolutely nothing.
“We had some harsh words after the game, in what we expect from them as individuals and as a team, and they have responded superbly.
“We have had four straight wins, three in the league and one that got us into the semi-finals of the cup.
“It’s a strange league, because three weeks ago we were five points behind Ayr, now we’re five points ahead of them.
“That’s what happens.
“It only takes one win and you are back on that trail again to move up the table.
“We keep saying to the players that when they are playing well and in form, they need to keep winning matches. That’s what we are doing at the moment.”
Inverness were forced to withdraw skipper Carl Tremarco towards the end of Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Ayr, with Robertson hopeful the defender’s decision to come off will keep him in contention for this weekend’s trip to Partick Thistle.
Robertson added: “It’s the same as he got two weeks ago against Dundee, he got a whack on the ankle and it’s bruising on the bone.
“As long as he didn’t get a kick on it he’s fine. He didn’t the previous week but he caught one on Saturday.
“He couldn’t go any further, it was nothing to do with precaution. He signalled to us it was too sore for him to carry on.
“We have picked up two injuries this year from Tom Walsh and Shaun Rooney where they have been limping, but they have said they were OK, but they have ended up doing their hamstrings.”