Ross: A new hero can emerge
Inverness midfielder Nick Ross believes the Highland derby is the perfect opportunity for a new fans' favourite to emerge following the departure of Billy McKay.
McKay has completed his move to Wigan for an undisclosed fee reported to be in the region of B#150,000.
The Northern Ireland international has netted 59 goals in the last two-and-a-half seasons and Caley Thistle begin life without their top goalscorer at home to local rivals Ross County on Saturday.
Ross said: "We wish Billy all the best. He has been great for us the last few years it will be tough to replace him but I'm sure the chairman and the manager will have something in place to do so.
"We just have to get on with it. Whoever steps up has got big boots to fill but I think they can step up to it."
McKay scored seven goals in the last 10 derbies but it is a fixture which has supplied goals from all over the park in recent seasons, even from the Inverness right-back.
"David Raven's was more of a tackle than a goal, but it's one of those games that if you score the fans will remember it for a long time," Ross said.
"If you get that chance and take it you can become a hero overnight.
"Aaron (Doran) has scored a lot of goals and he seems to enjoy the derby games. Billy has scored a lot and set up a lot in the derby games as well so he will be a big miss but it's time for someone else to step up to it."
McKay links up with former Celtic defender Malky Mackay at Wigan.
The Latics manager told his club's official website: "We've been looking at Billy for some time. He lives to score and his record over the past two seasons speaks for itself, where he's scored a lot of goals and been deadly for Inverness.
"He can't wait to begin the next part of his career and we are delighted to bring him on board, we feel he has the potential to make a great impact at Wigan Athletic, he's a player who comes alive in the box, a sniffer around the opposition goal and certainly a type of player we feel can do well with us."
Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has warned that Inverness retain the same solid foundations of their team despite the loss of McKay.
But McIntyre knows his side face a team that have grown together over recent years as the hosts chase the victory that would put them a point behind leaders Celtic.
McIntyre said: "There's no doubt he (McKay) has been a top player for over the last couple of seasons but what I will say is there is real continuity there.
"There have not been wholesale changes there, they will have someone else to step in and play that position. He will be a miss for them, there is no doubt about that."
McIntyre is looking for a much better start from his players than the New Year's Day derby, which prompted him to make two substitutions before half-time with his side losing 1-0 on their way to a 3-1 defeat.
McIntyre, whose side lost 1-0 to Celtic last weekend, said: "We know we have got to be much much better than that. The Celtic performance is the way we have to start matches. We were all hurting from that result and we have to make sure we give the fans a performance they can all be proud of."
County will not hand a derby debut to new signing Darvydas Sernas as the Lithuanian midfielder is short of match fitness.
Jackson Irvine and Terry Dunfield return for the Scottish Premiership clash with Inverness after being ineligible for the defeat by Celtic.
Richard Brittain (hamstring), Cameron Burgess (ankle), Michael Gardyne (rib), Ben Frempah (ankle), Rocco Quinn (hip) and Darren Barr (knee) remain on the sidelines but Tony Dingwall has shaken off a knock.
Source: PA
