Jim McIntyre is set for his first Highland derby this weekend and the Ross County manager reckons the occasion will spare him a lengthy team talk ahead of his side’s Premiership game with Caley Thistle.
McIntyre has plenty derby experience having played for Kilmarnock, Dundee United and Dunfermline, who he later managed, and is relishing the prospect of his first with the Dingwall side.
Despite sitting bottom of the league, the Staggies manager hopes his players are similarly up for the challenge posed by John Hughes’ Caley Jags side.
McIntyre said: “These games are all about trying to get the result. It’s all about the passion and making sure we’re up for the game. I don’t think I’ll need to say much of a team talk – the boys will be right up for this game as players are in any derby. I’m really looking forward to it and the boys are also.
“A derby is a derby. It’s a game you’re right up for and you want to do as well as you can. We just want to win.”
McIntyre has been impressed with the way Inverness have started the season. However, he insists his side will make the short trip to Caledonian Stadium looking to take all three points. He added: “The bottom line is we’ve got to pick a team that can win a game based on what opposition we’re playing.
“That’ll not change. We’ll need everyone playing at their maximum. Inverness are a good side, so we’ve got to make sure we are all on the money. We’ll need to defend well because they’ve got players who can hurt us if we don’t.
“Like all good sides they’re capable of being beaten and the aim will be to try and turn them over.”