No excuses if Caley Jags fail to deliver their perfect pitch

Premiership: Midfielder Polworth has excellent record at Hamilton Accies

Caley Thistle midfielder Liam Polworth has warned Hamilton’s artificial surface will be no excuse for the Highlanders not winning today.

Inverness have won all but one of their seven away league encounters against Accies, including all four since the Lanarkshire side installed its TigerTurf pitch in 2013.

Polworth believes players are becoming used to artificial surfaces from a young age, and it can no longer be used as an excuse for poor performances. Polworth, who scored twice in a 4-3 victory against Martin Canning’s side last December, said: “It’s always a difficult game when we go down there and we’re not used to the artificial pitch.

“I never really played on it when I was young– itwas always grass – but a lot of the younger players train on the artificial surfaces now. So long as the pitch is good enough, we can play.

“I don’t know if the surface helps us, but we certainly like to get the ball down and play.

“I got a couple of goals there last season and every time I’ve been there we’ve won. But this is another game and it doesn’t really count for anything once the game starts.

“It just seems to be when we go there we pick up points. Hopefully that continues.”

Inverness are aiming to extend their unbeaten run to five games when they face Hamilton, having recovered from a poor start where they lost their first three Premiership matches of the campaign.

Polworth questioned early-season criticism of the Highlanders under new manager Richie Foran and the 21-year-old said: “A lot of people would have said Richie was going to become a manager one day. We train with respect for him no matter what, so I don’t see a difference.

“The criticism was harsh just three games into the season – losing a couple of games and people say things, which I find interesting.

“We started picking up points and people have not said anything – it’s strange.

“It wasn’t a great start to the season but hopefully we’re now moving up the table.

“All the players are confident and that’s what picking up points does.

“Hopefully we can keep that going for a good few weeks.”

“All the players are confident and that’s what picking up points does”

DONE IT BEFORE: Caley Thistle midfielder Liam Polworth charges off to celebrate his late winner against Hamilton in December last year