Caley Thistle manager John Hughes believes the performances of the players drafted in for Tuesday’s narrow League Cup second round defeat against Rangers has given him a selection headache.
Hughes was forced to ring the changes for the Ibrox encounter, with influential pair Graeme Shinnie and Ross Draper serving suspensions incurred from last season’s League Cup final loss to Aberdeen.
Defender Carl Tremarco, pictured, and midfielder Liam Polworth were given their first starts of the season in their place, while teenager Ryan Christie was dropped to make way for Danny Williams.
Manager Hughes claims the replacements’ displays have given him a tough selection decision to make for Saturday’s Premiership game against St Johnstone at the Caledonian Stadium.
Hughes said: “We would always miss players of the quality Graeme and Ross, but that’s taking away from the performances of some of the players who came in.
“I thought Carl Tremarco and Liam Polworth were different class. It’s a squad and I’ve no worries about their performances. Now I’ve got a problem come Saturday’s game against St Johnstone in deciding what team I pick.”
Caley Thistle were unfortunate losers on Tuesday, with Lewis MacLeod’s deflected shot proving decisive 12 minutes from time.
Gary Warren’s late header looked to have taken the tie to extra-time, but the defender was thwarted by an offside flag.
Following the disappointment Hughes is now looking for a response from his side, although he could not hide his disappointment at failing to secure a third round match against the team with who he began his managerial career.
Hughes added: “We just need to dust ourselves down and go again. I would have liked to have won on Tuesday night because the next round would have been at Falkirk, and I’ve not been back there for a while. May the best team win, that’s all I can say.”