Caley Thistle trialist John-Christophe Ayina scored in last night’s 4-0 victory against Highland League Clach at Grant Street Park.
Ayina was with Spanish side Racing Santander last season and had previously played for Paris St Germain.
The big attacker looked impressive, his first touch was good and he capped a promising performance by scoring Caley Jags’ second goal with a blistering 15-yard drive three minutes after Danny Williams had given them the lead with a low 12-yard drive.
At the break Caley Thistle replaced all but two of their starting line-up and Clach fielded a completely different 11.
With so many changes the second half turned into a bit of a training exercise, although Caley Thistle did score two more late-on through a Gordon Morrison own goal and a Graeme Shinnie strike.
Caley Jags started with first-team regulars Dean Brill, Josh Meekings, Greg Tansey, Marley Watkins and Ryan Christie but captain Richie Foran is still recovering from his knee operation so he was not risked while forward Billy Mckay is not set to return to the club until today after his close-season international duty with Northern Ireland.
Clach started with the experienced John Campbell in goal with new signing Ally Ridgers waiting in the wings to take over between the sticks in the second half.
In the 11th minute Caley Thistle opened the scoring. Watkins played in Danny Williams and he side-footed the ball into the far corner of the net from 12-yards out.
Three minutes later it was 2-0. A dangerous ball into the box by Carl Tremarco was partially cleared by Martin Callum but when the loose ball arrived at the feet of Ayina he showed great composure to blast a 15-yard drive high past the helpless Campbell and into the net off the underside of the crossbar.
Ayina showed slightly less composure in the 35th minute when he leaned backwards and blazed high over the crossbar when well placed 10 yards out.
At the break Clach replaced all 11 players while Caley Thistle made nine changes, the only two retaining their places not surprisingly being the big Frenchman and Liam Polworth, son of Clach manager Iain Polworth.
Ayina almost made it 3-0 early in the second half but his drive flew past the upright with Clach goalkeeper, former Caley Thistle number one, Ally Ridgers, beaten.
With 10 minutes left Caley Thistle went 3-0 up when Clach’s Gordon Morrison headed an Aaron Doran cross into his own net and four minutes later Shinnie added another with a 10-yard finish which went in off the upright.