Shinnie keen to extend home form
Inverness full-back Graeme Shinnie is determined to continue making the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium a dreaded venue for visiting teams as Partick Thistle become the latest team to try their luck in the Highland capital.
Caley Thistle are unbeaten in all eight home games this season with six wins to their name in front of their own fans.
The long trip north up the A9 makes Inverness one of the less happy places for Scottish Premiership teams to come but the home side's form has made it even more inhospitable.
And Shinnie is keen to punish teams who publicise their lack of affection for his home ground.
Shinnie said: "Every team would want to make their home ground a fortress and we are no different
"We have certainly made it that this season.
"I know teams don't like coming up here and they publicly say that. That gives us the incentive to go out and not let them leave here with any points.
So far we have been different class at home and long may that continue.
"Partick are a good side but if we can play at the top of our game I am sure we will be all right."
Inverness have an unchanged squad. Only captain Richie Foran is out - the Irishman is continuing his rehabilitation from the knee injury that has kept him out since last season.
Partick goalkeeper Paul Gallacher is determined to continue his playing run following a stop-start opening to the campaign.
The player-coach finished last season as Thistle's number one but lost out to Scott Fox for the gloves at the start of this term.
However, he has played the last four games after Fox was hit with food poisoning on the morning of the Jags' 1-0 defeat by Aberdeen and the 35-year-old has done enough to keep his place ahead of the trip to Inverness.
"I never expect to play, it's always a bonus," Gallacher said.
"It was up to me to get my head down and work hard and, if the chance came, just to take it.
"It could have been a long season but I have been in and out and played a few games and it's up to me now.
"It's been a strange season from not starting the season to getting in straight away because of suspension. I felt I was playing quite well and you are back out again and Foxy is back in. And then because of illness I am back in again.
"It just shows you have always got to maintain your standards and level of fitness because you never know when you will be called upon. I feel as if I am playing fairly well and my main aim is to retain that jersey."
Partick could be without defenders Frederic Frans and Jake Carroll. Frans missed last weekend's draw with Kilmarnock with a hamstring problem while Carroll picked up a knock.
But Jordan McMillan is back training after illness and Nathan Eccleston is also set to return.
Source: PA
