Hughes happy to keep the pace

Hughes had expressed concern that the managerless Steelmen may have been galvanised by their 1-0 win over high-flying Dundee United a fortnight ago following the departure of Stuart McCall.

Although they were quickly pegged back by the visitors' Henrik Ojamma after Billy McKay had given them the lead in the first half, they dominated the match and pulled off a deserved victory thanks to strikes from Marley Watkins and Josh Meekings in the final 20 minutes.

Indeed, the margin of victory could and probably should have been greater had McKay and Watkins not passed up gilt-edged chances to extend their side's lead and also eat-in to the considerable goal-difference that keeps Celtic ahead of Caley at the top of the league table at the moment.

A delighted Hughes said: "I thought it was a wee-bit stop-start in the first half, but in the second half that was us at our best.

"I said at half-time we needed to up our pace, our tempo and our passing and when we do that that's when we are at our best."

Motherwell meanwhile looked a shadow of the side that fought tooth and nail to defeat Dundee United before the international break, and caretaker boss Kenny Black was less than happy with the display his men turned in, although they can take comfort from the fact they do not sit bottom of the table with St Mirren in 11th and Ross County in 12th both also falling to defeat.

Well created very little in the game with Inverness having the vast majority of the play, although despite being small in number their 100 or so supporters kept backing them for the duration of the 90 minutes.

And despite there being a lot of speculation over the future ownership of the Fir Park club, Black was adamant that uncertainty had absolutely no bearing his side's dismal showing.

He said: "There was a lot happening behind the scenes against Dundee United too and we got the result. We're not going to paper over the cracks - that had nothing to with the performance.

"I don't enjoy football after days like today. I like the game and I've been in football for over 30 years as a player, manager and coach but days like today are painful viewing. It was the total opposite from a fortnight ago, but that's the highs and lows of football I suppose."