Inverness boss John Hughes getting tired of life on the road

Inverness manager John Hughes has called for his players to be given some leeway from the Scottish football authorities amid a testing run of fixtures.

Caley Thistle play their fifth consecutive away game on Wednesday when they take on St Johnstone in Perth.

The run has included two scheduled Saturday fixtures in the Ladbrokes Premiership plus two rearranged games and their William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hibernian.

"The last five have been away on the road," Hughes said. "I don't know how that has worked out.

"Am I having a whinge? You better believe it.

"But there's also a smile on my face because it gives us a great sense of siege mentality. And trust me I will be using all that in the dressing room.

"Hopefully the boys respond in the games coming up and take care of business and turn this into a right good season."

Caley Thistle are also in the midst of a hat-trick of midweek games - their league clash with Hearts next Wednesday was postponed to allow space for their replay against Hibs.

"You are getting punished a little bit for being successful in terms of fighting our corner to remain in the Scottish Cup on Sunday, when the travelling is difficult," Hughes said.

"Then we have to go back at it toe to toe on Wednesday. That is demanding on the payers. And we will have to do that again Saturday and Wednesday.

"I think the league should be looking at that and help us out.

"And it brings a smile to my face, I wish the two teams in the League Cup final on Sunday all the best, but t hat's not what happened to us a couple of years ago. Remember we had to play a league game on the Wednesday against Hibs? Absolutely ridiculous decision.

"Hopefully they have looked at that and learned a lesson, because the demands on players, y ou need to be careful. And with the injury problems we have had this season, we are right down to the bare bones.

"But the boys just roll their sleeves up and keep going."