Hughes wary of battling Buddies
Inverness manager John Hughes has warned that his side will need to be patient against a battling St Mirren side.
The Paisley team travel to the Highlands on Sunday six points adrift from guaranteed safety but they are still feeling a sense of injustice after losing two soft penalties and getting Kenny McLean controversially sent off in a 2-1 defeat by Kilmarnock.
Inverness got back to winning ways following three consecutive defeats when they won at Ross County on New Year's Day but Hughes knows getting the first goal will be crucial against the Buddies.
St Mirren have appealed against McLean's red card for a clash with Ross Barbour and have Steven Thompson back in the squad following his dismissal against Motherwell.
Hughes said: "They had a great victory the other day there against Dundee.
"I know the last time we beat them but football is so unpredictable. If you are coming up against teams that are fighting for their lives you have to be patient and break that shape down.
"We are okay, we have been picking up points. We can play that expansive style of football but it works to its best if you get that goal because the other team have to open up and come out and play and that's when you can go and play between the lines."
Hughes, who has Ross Draper available after suspension, added: "We will rest them up and prepare for St Mirren and pick a team accordingly - it doesn't have to be the same team - that can go and win the game."
Gary Teale has warned Stevie Mallan he will have to accept the highs and lows of football if he is to fulfil his potential.
The 18-year-old became an instant sensation after netting a stunning solo goal against Dundee last weekend.
But the teenager was brought crashing back down to earth as he was harshly judged to have fouled Josh Magennis in the box as Kilmarnock opened 2015 with a 2-1 win in Paisley.
Caretaker Buddies boss Teale said: "I've been in the game a long time and I always tell the younger guys not to get too high and not to get too low.
"Things can change day to day in football, never mind week to week. So I have just tried to tell Stevie to keep his feet on the ground.
"He had an incredible high last week with that goal and everything that came after it, but it will be difficult to replicate that every week so he should not get too disheartened if it doesn't happen.
"But Stevie is a good lad, from a good family. His dad Stevie also played football so he knows what it's all about - finding that even keel.
"It's not rocket science. As long as he can do that and keep working hard and listen to the coaches, then he will do okay."
Mallan and teenage team-mate Lewis McLear have both been pushed into the Saints line-up since Teale replaced the sacked Tommy Craig last month.
Saints remain second bottom of the Scottish Premiership, just a point above Ross County.
But the interim manager admits the pressure of the survival fight may be too much for his youngsters to play every week.
"The young boys have been excellent," he said. "Obviously with their age and the circumstances we are in, it's a big ask of them to do it week in, week out.
"So we may to freshen things up. But at the same time, we don't have the luxury of a big squad that we can rotate too much."
Source: PA
