Ross Draper is desperate to end his goal drought at Caley Thistle but insists he will keep his personal anguish in check for the good of the team.
The Inverness midfielder has not scored since netting in a 2-2 draw against St Mirren on March 29 last year and another game passed without him scoring in Saturday’s 2-1 win at St Mirren.
Draper’s central midfield partner Greg Tansey scored the opening goal in the win and, while Draper was happy to be on the winning side, he is frustrated his wait for a goal continues.
He said: “I haven’t scored for a while and I’m desperate to put that right. It’s something I need to bring into my game but as long as other lads are scoring that’s great.
“I tend to sit and let Greg push forward and as long as someone is scoring that’s fine by me.”
Draper knows Inverness could and should have had the points secured following a dominant first-half display at St Mirren Park against the Buddies.
But, with Dundee United losing at Kilmarnock, the significance of doubling the lead on the Tangerines to six points was not lost on the combative midfielder.
He said: “It was a great three points as St Mirren are scrapping and won’t go down without a fight. They’ve got a new manager with new ideas, so for us to get all three points is a big result, but we are disappointed not to kill them off earlier.
“With the pace of Marley Watkins up top, the game can change so quickly and that proved to be the case as we went from being under pressure to a goal up inside the first three minutes.
“We’re checking all the results every weekend now and it turned out to be a great weekend for us.”
The result keeps the Highlanders’ excellent start to 2015 going but manager John Hughes knows the win against struggling Saints will also have helped Highland neighbours Ross County in their attempt to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership.
Hughes hopes the Staggies’ win against Motherwell can galvanise their attempts to stay in the division.
He said: “It was another important win for us and, although I shouldn’t probably say this, I know it is a big result for Ross County as well.
“I love the derby matches and now I’m in the Highlands I know how important it is for the spectators on both sides.
“We’re rivals but there is respect from both sides and I’d love to see the derby continue next season. I’m pleased we were able to do them a turn.”