The ICT boss, fresh from signing a new contract to keep him and assistant Maurice Malpas at the helm of the Irn Bru Division One club until the end of next season, is confident they can return to the top-flight this year.

The Inverness side go to Dens Park this Saturday, aiming to start to trim the nine-point gap that exists, with their game in hand against Morton to be rescheduled after being called off on Tuesday.

Rather than fear the Dark Blues, Butcher relishes the challenge that lies ahead and is sure Dundee will drop points on their travels.

As well as finishing the season with a final day showdown in Inverness, Dundee also must go to Dunfermline, Dingwall, Greenock and Partick.

The buoyant ICT manager told the HN: "Dundee are clearly the favourites, but we still have the belief and faith in our ability.

"We will try to keep making these chances in games and keep it tight at both ends, which we didn't do on Saturday (in the 3-3 draw with Ayr). We are on an eight-match unbeaten run and we want to add a lot more games to that tally.

"There's no doubt that Dundee are in the driving seat. Last weekend's results went for them.

"However, you look at their remaining fixtures, they have a number of tricky away games.

"They have drawn a few games away from Dens, so it's up to us to win as many matches as we can and we'll see where that takes us.

"You want to turn the crowd against any team if you can. We will try and get in their faces and make it tough for them.

"As well as that, we also want to keep the ball and pass it the way we can. We want to get in behind their defence and make (goalkeeper) Rab Douglas work. He certainly did that in the Challenge Cup final and in the Boxing Day draw up here.

ICT manager Terry Butcher (left) and assistant Maurice Malpas will first target three points in Dundee on Saturday - then shape the future of the club after penning one-year extensions to their own contracts this week. Ken Macpherson

"We have played well in all three matches against them, with some fantastic football played each time. There have been some great goals and any neutrals will have enjoyed the entertainment because it's two sides that are hell-bent on playing good football.

"Even after Saturday, Dundee have to come here on the last day of the season. There's still a lot of football to be played before then from both teams."

He added: "Whilst it's not as wide open as people would have liked because Dundee are in the box seat, there's still time for them to be pegged back.

"While we're all going to win the game, it's vital that we don't lose it. The squad we're taking down there are positive and we'll be doing our best to get those three points."

Following on from the 3-3 draw with Ayr United at the weekend, Tuesday's fixture against Morton at Cappielow was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Goals from Richie Foran and Jonny Hayes recovered a two-goal deficit against Ayr at the weekend.

Then a debatable penalty netted by Adam Rooney on 94 minutes earned a 3-3 draw, although the chances created would have been enough to win several games.

ICT travel to Dundee with no injuries or suspensions, although Foran's booking against Ayr means he will miss the league games against Morton and Ross County this month.

Caley Thistle will continue to chase down points on Tuesday when they host Queen of the South in a re-arranged league fixture.

sports@highland-news.co.uk

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