Caley Thistle manager John Hughes hopes midfielder Nick Ross’ success in breaking into the side has given the rest of his fringe players added motivation.
The 21-year-old was instrumental in helping Inverness to a 2-1 victory against Kilmarnock on Saturday, providing the assists for Billy Mckay’s goals.
Ross has been starved of game time this season and was making his only his second start in the league this season, but Hughes was impressed with his contribution.
He said: “Nick played very well against Kilmarnock. He has sat on the bench and had to be patient to wait for his chance.
“Technically he is a very good footballer. He set Bily up for his goals and I’m really pleased for him because we have put the gauntlet down to the likes of Ryan Christie, Danny Williams and Nick.
“There are other players such as Danny Devine and Liam Polworth who are good enough, they just need to grab the opportunity when it comes along.
“Hopefully what Nick did will give them inspiration and drive them on to take their chance.”
While Ross did his prospects of starting against Dundee United on Saturday no harm, it was Northern Ireland international Mckay who stole the headlines with a fantastic double to give 10-man Caley Thistle victory after David Raven had been sent off.
Mckay is out of contract at the end of the season and there will be no shortage of clubs keeping an interest in the 26-year-old, who has scored 61 goals in 139 appearances for Caley Thistle.
Hughes added: “I am just delighted to work with Billy. He is a massive part of what we do and where we want to take the club.
“Although he is small in stature, he is quite ferocious when it comes to being a winner.
“He has all the attributes and is a natural goalscorer.
“I have worked with goalscorers and played with them and he has certainly got it.
“Even if Billy is not having a great game, I would very rarely take him off because, as we see every day in training, he has that knack of hitting the back of the net.”