Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran reckons tonight’s Betfred Cup opponents Alloa Athletic will fancy their chances of making it a Highland double following their win against Ross County last month.
The League 1 side Wasps were 3-2 winners against County in the group stage of the competition, with the result ending the Staggies’ defence of the trophy won last season.
The result is one of five successive victories the Wasps have recorded since the start of the campaign, and Foran has warned his players they will be facing a team full of confidence.
Foran said: “They’ve already beaten Premiership opposition so they will fancy themselves, without a doubt.
“They will be confident, with a home draw as well, but also wary of the threat we have and what we’ve done in the group stages, scoring 12 goals in two games – seven against Arbroath and five at Dunfermline.
“They know we’re a threat and hopefully they’re a wee bit worried. It has the ingredients of a really exciting game.”
Foran, who replaced John Hughes at the end of last season, experienced defeat for the first time as a manager in Saturday’s 2-0 Premiership loss at Partick Thistle, and the feeling was tough to take.
Foran added: “It is different from being a player. It hurt a lot. I’m not used to it.
“We have been going really well, looking a real goal threat, so the way we lost hurt even more. We didn’t express ourselves the way we could and didn’t play the way we can.
“It was hard to take but it is all part of the learning process. I’m smiling now. But it was a tough one to take, that’s the first one out of the way now.
“I’m never going to get used to it, but I’ve got to accept it is going to happen every now and again. We’re not going to win every league game this year.
“The players know. I don’t need to be hammering them. They all came into the dressing room and said it wasn’t good enough from them.”