Richie Foran issues battle cry after Inverness lose again

Richie Foran has called on his players to stand up and be counted as Inverness face a vital Highland derby with Ross County on Saturday.

The 2-1 defeat to Motherwell on Wednesday night leaves them bottom of the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership heading into the Dingwall clash, which takes on extra significance for the Caley Jags, who are winless in nine games.

Craig Clay gave Motherwell the lead with a fortuitous long-range effort just after the break, which floated in wind-assisted, before Scott McDonald provided a late second. Greg Tansey's consolation was not enough to salvage anything from the game for the hosts.

Foran is demanding more from his side, admitting he was disappointed with some individual performances and needs more when his players head across the Kessock Bridge on Saturday.

"You're looking for men now. Saturday will separate the men from the boys now. We need brave lads - a couple looked nervy out there,'' said Foran.

"I thought Motherwell were there for the taking, especially in the first half. Credit to them, they defended with their lives.

"We need brave lads now going across that bridge. The good thing is we're not detached in the table.

"A win can lift us two or three places and there's no better place to get it than in Dingwall on Saturday.''

His Motherwell counterpart Mark McGhee hailed it as the biggest win in his tenure at Fir Park.

"We've deserved more out of recent games,'' he said.

"For me to keep saying that, they had to come here and win and they've done it. It's a fantastic result for us and it's a difficult place to come for any team.''