Caley Thistle defender Gary Warren believes consistency is required for team-mate Marley Watkins to fulfil his potential.
Watkins was on the bench for the first two games of the season but has not relinquished his starting place since being drafted in for the 2-0 win against Motherwell in August.
Watkins has gone on to become Caley Thistle’s top scorer in that time, having predominantly played on the wide right of midfield.
However, manager John Hughes deployed the 24-year-old in the lone attacking role against Celtic on Saturday.
Centre half Warren believes there could be even more to come from Watkins, who was last month named as a stand-by selection for the Wales squad.
Warren said: “Marley was outstanding against Celtic. The way he played, he put their back two of Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer under a lot of pressure. He gave them quite a tough game.
“Now he needs to be consistent in the way he plays.
“He is one of those lads who has so much potential. He can kick on but it’s just about consistency.
“With younger lads, they can have two or three great matches and then a bad one. It’s about trying to iron that out and maybe have one bad game every 10.
“Marley looks capable of doing that now. He’s started off very well this season.
“He’s our top scorer. The shift and the energy he gives to the side is important.
“If you look at him, he’s more like an old-fashioned winger. He’s direct, he’s quick and, for the size of him, he’s very strong. He can move as well.
“When you add all those qualities to someone’s game they are very hard to stop and the two Celtic defenders on Saturday certainly found that.
“He can defend or attack and as a centre forward on Saturday he led the line fantastically.”
Watkins has proven a popular figure in the Caley Jags dressing-room, as Warren, 30, explained.
“He’s tough to describe,” said Warren. “He’s such a good guy – a character. Everyone loves him.
“He’s one of those guys who puts a smile on your face. He doesn’t mean to be a joker but he is. It’s just the way he comes across. He is relaxed and people around the club love him.”