Richie Foran hopes new signings can help Inverness climb up the table
Inverness manager Richie Foran is encouraged by his increased goalscoring options as his side return from the Ladbrokes Premiership break bidding to get off the foot of the table.
Foran described Saturday's visit of Partick Thistle as a "must-win" game if they have any prospects of making the top six but he also realises that getting off the basement as soon as possible would ease the pressure on his team.
The Irishman has brought in Estonia striker Henri Anier and 22-year-old forward Dean Ebbe from Irish non-league ranks, and he feels they will offer good alternatives to Lonsana Doumbouya, Alex Fisher and Scott Boden.
"We don't want to become detached," Foran said. "We don't have to change a lot. Performances have been good but we need to be more clinical in front of goal, cut out the individual mistakes and be tighter all over the park.
"We have worked hard on that and we've also brought Henri in, who's a big threat, he has pace and power, and we can change it up a bit as well.
"Henri is looking really good and Dean Ebbe scored against Rangers in the development league and looked really good, so his performance has given me a big boost. He is a natural goalscorer.
"Obviously you want them to get off to a flying start and score, which sets up the rest of the season for them."
Ebbe might be more of a long-term prospect than Anier, who made his debut off the bench in last Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup win at Elgin.
The Irish striker said: "At home I was only part-time but full-time training certainly leaves you sore. It's harder but something you get used to.
"I need to just try get into the squad now, so hopefully it works out. It was hard at the start but everything is grand now.
"I'm working hard and hope to break into the team. I get goals, so hopefully he (Foran) puts me in soon."
Partick are strengthened by the recent addition of Niall Keown, who has joined on loan until the end of the season.
Keown, son of former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, admitted the ambitions of manager Alan Archibald made the move attractive, with the club looking to break into the top six after two wins in the last three.
"The manager made things clear," said Keown. "This is a very ambitious club. The aim is to get into the top six and I am an ambitious person as well so I think it is a good fit.
"Everyone knows it is a competitive league. Every game is very tough, everyone is fighting to get into that top six and we have to be ready for that."
Source: PAR
