Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has warned his players they must be up for the challenge of facing one of the best sides in the country in Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon.
The Jambos have taken to the Premiership in style after winning the Cham-pionship by 21 points last year, and sit third, just a point behind Aberdeen.
Inverness have struggled for consistency this season and are eighth after back-to-back defeats against Partick Thistle and Celtic.
Caley Jags won 2-0 the last time the sides met at Caledonian Stadium in September however, and Hughes has urged his players to put recent form behind them.
Hughes said: “I always like going to Hearts. The atmosphere inspired me going there when I played and I’m asking that of the players. It’s probably a toss-up between Hearts and St Johnstone who’ve been the team of the year.
“They’ve been exceptional, coming from the Championship to do what they’re doing is fantastic.
“There’s an advantage with the finances they deal with and what we deal with. Every time I look there seems to be a new player in each week. What they’ve done this year is remarkable. But we beat them last time and if we go down there and give it our best shot, they’ll know they’ve been in a game.”
A Tynecastle pitch inspection is set for 7.30am today to decide whether the game will go ahead.