Inverness manager keen to take on in-form Aberdeen

JOHN Hughes looked ahead to Inverness’ Scottish Premiership clash with in-form Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday and said “bring it on.”

Inverness manager John Hughes. Picture: SNS

The second-placed Dons are looking to make it five successive league wins and have already beaten Caley twice this season, the last victory coming in a thrilling 4-3 encounter in the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium last December.

Hughes’ side have not won in five games but the Highlanders’ boss told his club’s YouTube channel: “Pittodrie is a difficult venue against an Aberdeen team who are beating everyone put in front of them at this moment in time.

“All I am saying is bring it on. I am looking forward to it.

“If it is anything like the last match it should be a cracker but hopefully we score the four goals.

“We are more than capable of going to Pittodrie and picking up the points. But we are going to have to concentrate from start to finish.

“It is a big ask of us but one I cannot wait for, because there are going to be a lot of questions asked of the team - but hopefully we will come up trumps and find the answers.”

Hughes will be without suspended Gary Warren and Ross Draper while skipper Richie Foran remains out with a shoulder injury, which means a reshuffle in the Caley side - although the Caley boss is “hopeful” there will be one new player for Saturday as he said: “They are powerhouse players and it takes a lot of height out of our team.

“But you just need to shuffle the pack and it gives other people a chance.

“It is my job to do the best I can to help the boys pick up three points.”

Hughes expects former team mate and coaching assistant Russell Latapy to take up his post as Inverness number two at the start of next week.

The 45-year-old former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder, who also played for Dundee United, Hibernian and Rangers, was part of Hughes’ side when he was in charge at Falkirk, where he also worked as a coaching assistant.

They were also team-mates at Easter Road and will team up again after Latapy left Portuguese side Boavista, where he was doing some coaching.

Hughes said: “Hopefully he will be here with us at the beginning of next week.

“He has been cleared by Boavista, he spoke to them and got their best wishes.

“Unfortunately for us he had a little bit of court business to do with the Trinidad FA for his time as Trinidad national manager and he had to appear in court.

“He is in Trinidad tying that up and if he is not here on Saturday, hopefully he is here next week.”