
The Inverness head coach and his employees have carried out their homework on the League 1 newcomers because the membership prepares for his or her first assembly with the Fifers.
Kelty, now with John Potter in cost, are full of confirmed, skilled gamers resembling former ICT ahead Nathan Austin, ex-Ross County striker Joe Cardle and Kallum Higginbotham, who performed for Partick Thistle and Dunfermline Athletic amongst others.
Billy Dodds insists his Caley Thistle facet might be treating League 2 champions Kelty Hearts with actual warning in Saturday’s Premier Sport Cup opener.
They’re a membership going locations, with Jack Ross’ former assistant and ex-Dunfermline supervisor Potter changing Kevin Thomson final month at New Central Park.
A penalty shoot-out defeat in opposition to Stirling Albion and a loss at Cove Rangers ended ICT’s curiosity within the Premier Sports activities Cup final 12 months, albeit with Dodds having solely simply taken over because the Caley Jags boss.
Development into the knockouts for the primary time in six years is the objective for the Highlanders.
And Dodds is aware of they must be prepared for a combat for the factors once they kick off their aggressive season in Fife this weekend.
He stated: “I do know what these (Kelty) gamers can do. They’re harmful gamers, we’ve to nullify that, however we’ve good gamers as effectively.
“If we don’t method it effectively, we might battle, if we do method effectively, we’re able to beating at Kelty, however we’ve to be at it.
“Nathan Austin and Kallum Higginbotham need to run at you and be direct and rating targets.
“Now we have to get tight on these gamers and ensure we’re doing these defensive jobs, as a result of we’ve received gamers who can harm them as effectively.”
ICT will need to go into their second tie at Premiership Livingston on Tuesday with a win underneath their belts.
And Dodds pressured their hosts’ wonderful work-rate alone makes them powerful opponents earlier than you even discuss their capacity.
He stated: “We’ve had our studies on Kelty and have been taking a look at them carefully.
“The phrase we’re getting is they’re a very hard-working staff from the very first whistle they usually work their socks off on each division of the pitch.