Shinnie wants fans to watch Inverness keep scoring goals

Caley Thistle have scored 53 goals already this season as they challenge on three fronts and go into the game in second place in the Premier League.

And playmaker Shinnie scored his 10th goal of the  season in Saturday’s 4-1 home win over Dundee, which was watched by 3,003 people.

The Scotland international said: “It’s a tough period for people and, obviously, it’s quite  expensive to come to football.

“We are doing our bit on the field, we are playing as well as we can, we are scoring goals, we are entertaining so, hopefully, they can come along and support us for what will be another tough game on Boxing Day.”

Inverness were not at their best against Dundee but still looked capable of scoring whenever they went forward.

The victory followed a 4-4 draw at Dundee United, where they came back from three goals down.

And Shinnie admitted they believe they can score in every game – as they have done in 24 matches this season.

“There was a little bit of panic the other week when we went 3-0 down but even then we still didn’t capitulate,” he said.

“We just thought ‘look, let’s just play and we’ll score goals’. We scored and got back in the game.”

Inverness equalled their 42-goal haul from all of last season on Saturday, with Billy McKay taking his SPL tally to 15.

“Last season Billy did a lot of hard work, which kind of went unnoticed and other people took the limelight with the goals,” Shinnie said.

“Jonny Hayes and Gregory Tade were our top scorers and they left, so people said we would struggle to score this  season but Billy has been brilliant, he has taken all his chances. He is flying. I have managed to chip in with quite a few. People all over the park are chipping in with goals.”

St Mirren boss Danny Lennon is taking succour from Inverness’ goals-against column as he prepares for their game at the Tulloch Caledonian Thistle Stadium tomorrow.

Butcher’s men have also conceded 33, one more than the Buddies and just two less than Dundee, and it is that statistic which Lennon will focus on in his team talk.

“Inverness are on a fantastic run and deserve all the plaudits they are getting,” the former Cowdenbeath boss said. “They are scoring goals for fun, but they also leak goals.”