Midfielder Greg Tansey says Caley Thistle must regain their killer instinct for the start of the Scottish Premiership season.
Inverness failed to score in either leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie against FC Astra despite enjoying long spells of possession, with the Romanian outfit triumphing 1-0 on aggregate.
Caley Jags manager John Hughes has been forced to shake up his forward options this season after the departure of Nigerian forward Edward Ofere and attacking midfielder Marley Watkins.
Hughes has brought in Spanish forward Dani Lopez, who played with Tansey at English side Stevenage Borough, while Congolese international Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo has been offered a contract with the Highlanders.
Caley Jags open their Premiership campaign at home to Motherwell on Saturday and Tansey reckons his side must regain sharpness in front of goal.
The 26-year-old said: “We had chances against Astra, although not as many as we wanted for the ball possession we had.
“It’s that final third we need to work on – we know that. We’ve got good players up there and it’s only a matter of time before they click.
“We got the ball into the final third really well and our shape and passing was really good. It was just that killer edge we were missing.
“We need to be ruthless in these games. That’s what we were in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic and in various other games last year.
“We need to get that back as quick as possible.”
Tansey has been reunited with Lopez at Caledonian Stadium this season and has backed the former Atletico Madrid and Getafe forward to hit the goal trail once he gets up to speed.
Tansey added: “Dani is getting fitter every day. Come the start of the league season I’m sure he’ll be fitter.
“He’ll be better for playing the two legs against Astra, especially playing in the heat in the away leg.”