John Hughes retains Inverness CT European dream

John Hughes remains convinced Inverness can still qualify for Europe after a 2-1 win over Ross County in Dingwall.

Aaron Doran fired a rocket into the top corner on the stroke of half-time, but it was left to Billy McKay to seal the three points 11 minutes from time.

It left Hughes confident his men are finding form at the right time.

"It gets us on the coattails of Dundee United," said Hughes. "Anybody that thinks we've given up on that European spot, you're mistaken."

The Highlanders sit two points behind Dundee United in fourth place, and a further six off Aberdeen and Motherwell as they chase a place in the Europa League, a feat they just missed out on last season when they lost to Derek Adams' men on the final day of the campaign.

"We thoroughly deserved it, and in fact it could have been a little bit more," Hughes told BBC Radio Scotland. "Right at the end Ross County were going for it but I think their goalkeeper was the busier goalkeeper.

"When we're up and we're at it and everybody's on song we're a good side. I'm delighted for the boys because they deserve it.

"Since I've come into the club they've given me nothing but respect. They want to listen, want to learn, and want to train to get better.

"We played some real good stuff tonight, it makes it all worthwhile.

"We've played better than that. We were better than that last time we came up here, we were better away to Aberdeen.

"I want to see us passing the ball, but I want to see us winning football matches. If at times it's ugly and we're winning 1-0 I'll take that, especially at this time of the season.

"It kicks us on. I think after Christmas last year we only picked up 20 points. I think that's us around 19 or 20 this year."