Championship side Livingston may still be searching for their first win of the season but Caley Thistle manager John Hughes is taking nothing for granted when the two sides meet in the third round of the League Cup at Almondvale tonight.
Despite winning just one of 10 competitive fixtures this season, Inverness are firm favourites to beat Mark Burchill’s side.
Hughes is determined to avoid a slip-up and insists his former club will be keen to punish any lapse from Caley Jags.
Hughes said: “It’s going to be a difficult game. They played Hibs on Saturday and were only beaten 1-0. Hibs would give us a game, that’s for sure.
“They might be lacking in confidence, having not won a game this year. But the Championship is ruthless. We just have to look at the other teams in it.
“We are going to have to be at our best to win the game. Being at our best is probably the second-half performance against Hearts and the second-half performance against Dundee United, and putting it together for the full 90 minutes.
“If we can do that we should be good enough to get through. If not, we could come unstuck.”
Hughes had a nine-month spell as manager of Livingston in 2012 before leaving for English outfit Hartlepool United.
The Inverness manager has fond memories of his time at Almondvale and is looking forward to renewing acquaintances t .
Hughes added: “I enjoyed working at Livingston. When I was there I worked with kids, and they’ve changed their whole ethos at the club now.
“I was working with John Collins as director of football, and it was so easy to work with him.
“The Hartlepool thing came out of the blue, and it was something I wanted to give a wee go, but it was difficult to leave.
“We had five or six senior players but mostly kids, and I really enjoyed it.
“Danny Mullen and Darren Jamieson are still there from my time. But my best friend in life is the kit-man, Stephen Sproule. I took him there. He’s a real character.
“If he’s still got that enthusiasm and sense of humour then that place will not be short of laughs.
“We took him to Falkirk and Livingston and these guys are worth their weight in gold.
It’s like our kitman Jack Davis who is also a great guy – a stand-up comedian who brings a wee bit to the dressing room.”