Whole Storey is Caley’s only concern

Miles Storey’s fitness will be the biggest concern for Inverness manager John Hughes after he came off injured against Kilmarnock.

Storey had picked up a strain in training during the week but told Hughes he was fine to start the 2-1 win – only to be taken off with 30 minutes to go.

The on-loan Swindon striker has proved an inspired signing since joining in September, netting seven times in 12 games.

Also absent from the Inverness starting line-up was Ross Draper, who picked up a knock in training during the week and was not risked.

Hughes expressed an element of frustration with Storey’s injury but has his fingers crossed for a swift recovery.

“I just felt, looking at the game, there might have been a couple of goals there for Miles Storey, in the form he is in and with his movement,” he said. “But he picked up that wee strain, so we took him off.”

A first-half brace from Iain Vigurs was enough to nudge Caley Thistle over the line, with Mark Connolly’s late consolation not enough to drag the below-par visitors back into the game.

Vigurs was the beneficiary of a mix-up between Conrad Balatoni and Kevin Mchattie for the first goal, before turning in Storey’s cross for the second. Connolly steered in Balatoni’s flickon with three minutes to go.

Wins for Inverness, Partick Thistle and Motherwell mean Killie slip into the relegation play-off place and manager Gary Locke had a strong message for his side.

“You win games by turning up for 90 minutes,” he said. “There was nothing in the game early doors, but then we went and lost such a poor goal because we didn’t communicate with each other.

“We need to cut out the individual errors, but I can’t fault them in terms of their character and commitment. We need 11 playing to their potential. It’s frustrating after last week’s great performance with ten men.”