John Hughes expects his Inverness side to topple Hearts
Inverness manager John Hughes expects his team to beat Hearts and show they are a match for the early pace-setters in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Hearts have been strongly tipped for a top-three spot after winning their first five league matches, with a sixth proving too much only after Callum Paterson's now-rescinded red card at Hamilton.
Inverness finished third last season, as well as winning the William Hill Scottish Cup, and Hughes wants his men to prove they can compete with Hearts this term.
"We're every bit as good as Hearts, trust me on that," Hughes said. "But the profile of Hearts and what they demand, especially at Tynecastle, and the players they have recruited, they are batting with a different bat to us.
"But we do it different up here and I expect to beat them. I expect it to be a tough game and I don't think there will be much in it but I expect to beat them.
"But to do that we are going to have to be at our best and we are going to have to play.
"That's what I expect of my team, that's why we work so hard on the training pitch. Now when the curtain goes up on match day they have to go and perform, and if they do that the points will stay in Inverness."
Hearts' new signing Danny Swanson, meanwhile, is looking to hit the ground running in a bid to fulfil his international ambitions.
The 28-year-old midfielder, who could make his debut on Friday night, feels he can shine at Tynecastle and break into the Scotland squad following three years in England with Peterborough and Coventry.
The former Dundee United midfielder said: "When I was at Coventry, I didn't even think about it but now I've come here, that's something I want to get back into my head and get that chance again. I think if I'm playing to the best of my ability, I've got a good chance.
"I think I'm a far better player now. I'm fitter, stronger and have a lot of experience of playing big games down there. That can only help me."
Source: PAR
