Caley Thistle manager John Hughes says Aberdeen have the experience in their ranks to bounce straight back from their League Cup disappointment against Hibernian in midweek.
Inverness host the Reds at Caledonian Stadium tomorrow, with the Dons aiming to bounce back after suffering their first domestic loss of the season at Easter Road on Wednesday, going down 2-0 against the Championship outfit.
Aberdeen make the trip to the Highlands as Premiership leaders, with a 100% record intact after eight games.
Hughes, whose side advanced to the quarter-finals of the League Cup on Tuesday with a 2-0 win against Livingston, does not believe the Aberdeen bubble has burst and expects a valiant response from the Pittodrie side this weekend.
Hughes said: “Will they be dented by the result against Hibs? I very much doubt it, because of that experience. They’ll be hurting getting knocked out of the cup. If it was not the case we’d be saying they are flying but now people are saying we’re getting a wounded animal.
“We just have to take the game on its merit. They’ve got enough experience to know how to get back to winning ways.
“It’s going to be a massive game for us. When I look back, they’ve always been good games. Aberdeen have probably edged it in terms of results but it’s always been a great spectacle and a great atmosphere.
“The Aberdeen supporters like coming here. The game is always played in a great spirit and I think that’s because there are about four or five ex-Inverness players in their team.
“It’s all about us, though. It’s a game we’re looking forward to – and a game we can win. To do that we’re going to have to be mentally switched on and make sure we take the game to them.”
Former Caley Thistle captain Graeme Shinnie could return to face his old club despite limping off with a heel injury after 27 minutes of Wednesday’s defeat.
Hughes reckons Shinnie will give himself until the last possible moment to prove his fitness, and believes the left back, who skippered Caley Jags to Scottish Cup glory last season, is a key player for his hometown club.
Hughes added: “I know he took a knock against Hibernian but I know the character of Graeme Shinnie and he’s a quick healer. If he’s 65% fit – he will play. He’s been massive for them. He seems to have settled right in.”
Despite making eight signings during the summer Hughes remains keen to further add to his squad, with the Caley Jags manager confirming he is set to welcome a trialist forward to Caledonian Stadium next week.