Keith 0 - 9 Inverness CT: Caley Thistle victory

TERRY Butcher believes there is competition for places now throughout his Caley Thistle squad after they began their pre-season friendlies with an emphatic victory over Keith.

Inverness were simply too hot to handle as they emerged comfortable victors at Kynoch Park, much to manager Butcher’s delight.

He said: “We’ve got good competition for places, which is really pleasing, while there’s also great versatility now.

“I’m really pleased because the boys have taken the spirit they’ve shown during the hard running they’ve had to do pre-season on to the pitch and it showed in their performance.”

Starts were handed to two of Caley Thistle’s summer arrivals, James Vincent and Ben Greenhalgh, while another four – Dean Brill, Marley Watkins, Joe Gorman and Adam Evans – had to settle for a place on the bench.

Before kick-off, both teams formed a guard of honour to recognise long-serving left-back Graham Lonie, with this encounter being his testimonial match.