Donaldson wants trip north to be hell for sides

Caley Thistle defender Coll Donaldson is determined to make opposing teams dread the trip to Inverness again.

Inverness host Queen of the South today in the first of back-to-back home matches, with Partick Thistle the visitors to Caledonian Stadium next weekend.

Caley Jags’ home form makes for impressive reading, with five wins from five in all competitions so far.

Having recorded just five home league victories last throughout all of last season, Donaldson feels his side must make the advantage count.

Former Dundee United player Donaldson said: “When I played for other teams, Inverness away was probably one of the first fixtures you looked for – hoping it wasn’t falling on a Tuesday night or around Christmas and New Year.

“But last year, teams were enjoying coming here. We weren’t hard to beat at home.

“It always broke out into a 50-50 that could go either way. We had so many draws.

“You do want to make it that horrible journey up the road and back down after a tough match because I know what it’s like.”

Inverness struck late to defeat Dunfermline 1-0 at East End Park last weekend, with Sean Welsh coming off the bench to net from the penalty spot.

The victory was Inverness’ fourth triumph from their last five matches in all competitions, and Donaldson wants his side to make a habit of grinding out results.

Donaldson added: “It is early days. We were right up near the top of the table early last season as well.

“At this stage, you’re not really eyeing the table, you are just trying to win your games.

“We probably weren’t at our best last Saturday, but it is important to win games like that. It feels a wee bit better winning when you’re not playing at your best.

“We are confident and I think that’s quite a big thing. We’ve got a wee bit of a swagger about us this year.”

Inverness got the better of Queens just once last season, with a goalless draw in September followed by a 2-1 loss to the Doonhamers in January.

Donaldson feels the onus is on his side to break down Allan Johnston’s men, whose only win from their opening five league fixtures came in last week’s 1-0 home triumph against Morton.

The 24-year-old added: “You always think about Stephen Dobbie as their main threat, it’s the easiest thing. But they do have a lot of good players around him.

“I haven’t seen much of them yet, but they’re always hard-working and a really tough team to break down.

“They beat us up here last year so we know it won’t be easy.

“We have put a lot of focus on winning our home games this year.

“Every game at home we should be looking to win.”