There’ s always summit so special about Friday nights in the Highlands

Caley Thistle manager Billy Dodds believes his side should already be leading the Championship – as Inverness prepare to host pacesetters Kilmarnock tonight

Dodds is thrilled at the prospect of his men taking over at the top if they beat Killie for what would be the second time this term.

Home defeats by Arbroath and Dunfermline have been part of an overall run of just one victory in eight matches for Caley Jags in all competitions.

Dodds has been frustrated by points dropped, especially at the Caledonian Stadium.

When asked about home form overall this season, he said: “It should be better.

“I think every manager will tell you he should have had four or five points more, but we genuinely should have.

“It’s nice to have a good home record, but I’d like to pick up more points and make sure we’re winning more games at home to get back to where we were at the start of the season.

“It’s nice to have that home record and hopefully we can carry that on against Kilmarnock.”

Dodds is eager for his players to bounce back from their penalty shootout SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-final loss to Raith on Tuesday and secure the win to get into pole position.

He said: “We have four of the top five sides playing one another this weekend, so they are both big games and we know how important it is. These are ones you want to win.

“They can give you the boost to kick on and try and create a gap between you and the pack.

“If we beat Kilmarnock, we are top of the league – for at least one day – and that’s an incentive.

“I’ll be looking at all the results on Saturday, with Raith Rovers having a tough one at Arbroath.

“Killie boss Tommy Wright will want to open it back up to a four-point advantage over us, while I am hoping to get a twopoint lead against them. I can then go and enjoy my Saturday and leave the pressure to the other sides.”

While the incentive to hit top spot is massive for Caley Thistle, Dodds insists a result one way or another won’t make or break their season, given we’re only just inside December.

He added: “It is really important, there is no doubt about it. We’re not hiding away from that fact, but it’s not going to define the season.

“We’d love to win it as it would give you momentum and give the players, the staff, the club a brilliant boost, but Kilmarnock will feel the exact same. I can’t wait for the game. It’s live on TV and the players also can’t wait.”

Killie won a thrilling Trust Trophy tie with two late goals sealing a 3-2 victory at Hamilton to line up a semi-final against Raith.

Wright made 10 changes, with only goalkeeper Sam Walker staying in the team from their 1-0 weekend win over Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup.

Dodds has always pointed out the depth of resources available to his opponents.

He said: “They’re a big club with a big squad. We’ve already seen the squad they’re travelling up with, I think they’re staying overnight in Aviemore, so they’ve got a huge squad.

“They’re a good team, so we’re going to have to be at our best.

“They’re the leaders, and I always said when we were leaders we had a target on our back and now the target is on Raith and Kilmarnock.”

HOMING IN ON A FESTIVE RUN: Caley Jags boss Billy Dodds reckons Inverness should already be at the top of the Championship, with their current third place being the consequence of some careless home defeats.