LISTEN: Foran setting the pathway for ICT to remain in top six
Aberdeen this weekend for Caley Thistle as they look to make progress in the top-half of the SPFL Premiership
Ahead of their clash with Aberdeen, Richie Foran believes his Caley Thistle side can now take hold of their own destiny to secure themselves in amongst the top six of the SPFL Premiership.
ICT have edged into the top half in recent weeks, but their Highland rivals Ross County (at the foot of the table) are only three points off Inverness.
Foran said: "We've set our target now, we want to finish in the top six, we believe we're capable of that and we don't think it's out of our reach. The games against Hearts and Motherwell have been a really high standard and we have to keep that going"
Saturday's visitors Aberdeen sit second, 10 points off leaders Celtic, and will come motivated to break a recent run of results which has seen them fail to beat Inverness in the last four encounters.
Foran said: "It was a good point at Pittodrie last time and we're always confident against Aberdeen - obviously they've our ex-players looking to come at us - players like Hayes, Rooney, Shinnie - they're a real threat, and even the likes of Storey coming off the bench"
Off-the-pitch Foran's seeing progress in his players development as they approach an intensive period in the season.
"Training is of the highest standard every day, it's been really intense, you just have to tweak it now and again to keep the boys on their toes and that's what we're doing"
But the ICT boss has no fears for his squad looking further ahead to the January window:-
"We've been on a great run - taking the Celtic match out - but I've told the players to put that in the past, I've said we need to be getting these runs of five and six games if we're to cement our place in the top six - particularly with it coming up to the Christmas period, there's a lot to play for"
"We'd a good break - a bit of luck with the international break - as we only had eight train out of the 23"
"Liam Polworth's looking like 6 weeks to 2 months, and David Raven has concussion, but we'd three away on duty, but we'd several niggly injuries. Aaron Doran and Carl Tremarco, Iain Vigurs also with a calf injury, they would've all missed out, also Brad McKay had a hamstring problem, so definitely a bit lucky their for sure"