The previous Wolves frontman netted the opener in a Group G 2-1 victory at their Premiership hosts on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper Max Stryjek was despatched off for a slipshod collision with Samuels within the second half earlier than on-loan Hibs starlet Daniel MacKay marked his Inverness return with the second aim.
Striker Austin Samuels reckons Caley Thistle are exhibiting early indicators of promise after leaving Livingston with three Premier Sport Cup factors within the bag.
Jason Holt rifled the Lions again into rivalry then missed a penalty, which blew their possibilities of incomes a shoot-out for a bonus level and ICT received 2-1.
It means following their 1-0 victory at League 2 champions Kelty Hearts on Saturday, ICT are the table-toppers, albeit with the Fifers and Cove Rangers solely having performed one fixture.
New arrivals Zak Delaney, Nathan Shaw, Daniel MacKay, George Oakley and Steven Boyd all featured at Livi because the staff goal to progress to the knockouts of the League Cup for the primary time since 2016–17.
Samuels, who was on mortgage at Aberdeen final time period, likes the look of the facet at these early levels.
He mentioned: “It was a very good outcome. Livingston pushed us again quite a bit in direction of the top.
“Even with 10 males, they had been nonetheless coming at us, however a lot of these wins are good – while you grind them out.
“Beating a Premiership staff reveals we are able to maintain our personal. I knew Livingston had dwelling document, so it was outcome for us.
“However Championship groups usually are not simple both and we’ve got to convey a lot of these performances into these video games as properly.
“Everyone seems to be settling in properly and I really feel like we’ve got a very good staff this season.
“You’ll be able to see on the pitch how we get the ball transferring and the defence has additionally been high drawer.
“Gamers are placing their our bodies on the road and we’ve got some actually composed gamers within the facet too, reminiscent of Deasy (Robbie Deas) and Zak (Delaney).”
Samuels, 21, was sharp in pre-season and he’s delighted to get his first aggressive aim on matchday two.
