Caley Thistle manager John Hughes says young attacker Calum Ferguson will be given further opportunities to make the attacking position his own.
Hughes handed Canadian forward Ferguson his first-team debut as a 74th-minute substitute in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Kilmarnock, after impressing Hughes with a goalscoring performance in the Development League side’s 2-1 victory against Ross County on Thursday.
Inverness remain without a senior forward after the £150,000 sale of leading scorer Billy Mckay to Wigan Athletic last month, with wide midfielder Marley Watkins being handed the attacking responsibility recently.
Hughes is running the rule over three trialists with former Middlesbrough forward Tarmo Kink joining fellow attackers – Dutchman Prince Rajcomar and Serb attacker Marko Vukanovic as he ponders a replacement for Mckay.
But the Caley Jags manager insists Ferguson is in his thoughts for the remainder of the season.
Ahead of tonight’s Premiership match against Dundee United, Hughes said: “He did really well for the reserves the other day. He’s got a goal in him.
“He needs to work harder on his all-round play. We just felt we needed another one up there with Marley Watkins on Saturday. It never really materialised and he never really got into the game. But I’ve got no qualms giving him 20 minutes here or there.
“From now until the end of the season, if he’s getting that, he’ll get himself three or four goals. The boys have taken to him because he’s a real worker.
“It shouldn’t be like that. We need to be ruthless in the way we see the game out. We work so hard to get in front all the time, yet we keep shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Third-placed Inverness will move 10 points clear of Dundee United with a victory at Tannadice tonight but Hughes says there is no added importance attached to tonight’s game, insisting there is still a long way to go until the end of the season.
Hughes added: “It’s no more important than the game after against Motherwell on Saturday. We need to just keep winning matches – it’s going to be like that from now until the end of the season.
“I don’t think we’ll win every game from now until the end of the season but as long as we keep the spirit, keep that underdog mentality, and keep playing good football, we’ll see where it takes us.
“I keep saying to the players – concentrate on the process, don’t think too far ahead. These guys are at their best when they’re grounded.”