Highlanders knew their worth... even when others didn’t

Inverness under John Hughes fostered a siege mentality.

They took the approach that they were the underdog, the odds were stacked against them.

It served them well not just in getting to the Scottish Cup final, where they overcame Celtic, but in their Premiership form too. A remarkable degree of consistency took them to third place in the league and a first ever European qualification.

“It was about aiming as high as you could,” said James Vincent. “Between each international break, we’d have a mini-proposal put towards us. If we had five or six games and had a certain amount of points to hit, we’d get this or that (as a reward). He’d work with us and we’d try to reach the top level, to maybe get an extra couple of days off during the international break.

“We’d only started to believe when we were up there. You’re realistic, with the amount of money that’s chucked around at the top teams, compared to Inverness.

“You always are the underdog and we bought into that. We used that; it give us a bit of fire and drive. We didn’t burn off. Going into the final it was almost flipped. The press had flipped it as well, for us being the favourite.

“From the inside, the management and coaching staff did fantastic in keeping it level and approaching it the same as any other game.”

The 2014-15 season was the pinnacle in modern Caley Thistle history, where Hughes – now in his first full season in charge – had embedded a style of play that was as effective as it was entertaining.

“Everyone bought into what he wanted to do and it came to work that season. Terry (Butcher) was great for me and he got us playing fantastic football. But when Yogi came in it was more his attention to detail. He was very good at coming up with a gameplan.

“We always had a certain style of play – everyone knew positions and could play two or three positions at least. His attention to detail was fantastic. More often than not, you’d see it play out on the weekend.”

Vincent opted for pastures new in 2016, following Nick Ross and Danny Williams to Dundee. It is a decision, in hindsight, he has questions about.

“I enjoyed my time at Dundee under Paul Hartley but other than that, I was really frustrated. I didn’t feel like I got a fair crack of the whip under certain managers. Looking back I do regret leaving but you’re always going to contemplate whether any decision was the right one.

“I moved but I came back. I’ve not been happier. From that aspect maybe it was a strange decision from me. Sometimes it works and if it doesn’t you hold your hands up.”