Caley Thistle manager John Hughes insists he is unmoved by talk of Celtic fielding a weakened team in their Premiership encounter tomorrow.
Celtic returned from Slovenia early yesterday, having drawn 1-1 with Maribor in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday.
Ronny Deila’s Hoops are looking to book their place in the Champions League group stage for a third season running in the return leg at Parkhead on Tuesday but first must overcome a Caley Jags side sitting a point ahead of them at the top of the Premiership table.
Notwithstanding the Celtic manager’s possible temptation to rest players for their trip to Caledonian Stadium, Hughes envies the options the Norweigian can call upon in reserve.
Hughes said: “Celtic’s biggest game of the season is on Tuesday in the second leg against Maribor, so we have to wonder what sort of team they’ll put out against us tomorrow. But looking at their bench from the other night, they have guys like Nir Biton, Kris Commons and Leigh Griffiths.
“They’re still recruiting, so they could have a couple of new players in by then as well.
“It doesn’t matter what team they put out, it will be formidable. Even their bench has international players on it. They have a very strong squad.
“They’ve brought in players, like young Denayer from Man City, and after just a couple of games he looks like he’s been there for years.”
Inverness currently top the Premiership table but Hughes admits tomorrow’s encounter will be a new test altogether for his side.
He added: “Celtic will win the league at a canter, because they have the best players and the biggest budget, but I’d like to think we’ll let them know they’re in a game.
“We’ve tried to play nice football this season but if we win ugly at the weekend I’ll be delighted.
“We always want to play well but it’s about winning games. Against Celtic it’s horses for courses, and we have to play the game remembering it’s them, but they are beatable.
“We’ll see how far we’ve come on Saturday, it’s a big test for us.
“We’ve started well but it’s just a start at this stage, so we’ll learn a lot.”