CALEY Thistle boss Terry Butcher wants his side to match the desire recently shown by their opponents when they face up to Hearts in the SPL on Saturday.
Butcher's troops host the troubled Edinburgh club this weekend following another week of uncertainty over unpaid wages at Tynecastle.
The manager admires how Hearts' players have come through their recent woes to become a stronger team, but wants his side to bring them down to earth in the Highlands.
He said: "There is a great desire at Hearts, which is incredible given everything that has happened recently.
"It seems the wage issue has united their squad, brought them closer together and galvanised them to get on the pitch and do well.
"They got a great win last weekend, coming from 2-1 down with just 10 players, but as far as we are concerned they have always been a good side to play against.
"They pass well and have players who can threaten the goal from all across the pitch. Of course, they are also strong at the back.
"I want us to match their hard work and desire and already this season we have drawn with them here and lost away, so we are looking forward to the challenge."
The manager is expected to make changes to the side that played a Scottish Cup replay game last night (Wednesday), because of their recent fixture pile-up.
He said: "I might have to jiggle the team about a bit and rest one or two because they have been called upon quite a lot recently.
"It is times like these that you want your squad to come together and be hungry to give it everything.
"Ross Tokely and a number of others are coming back from injury, but if we do change the side and these players come in, I'm looking for them to come back and really perform.
"I have always been happy with the squad, but I feel everyone is really starting to blossom and mature now. They are beginning to look good and the understanding of position and confidence is much better than it was earlier in the season."
The Caley Jags secured their first clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 away victory over Motherwell on Saturday, a result which means the side have won seven out of nine SPl points.
Butcher said: "ICT getting a 1-0 away win used to be the norm, so it was good to get back to that, back to the future. I thought the cohesion and understanding between the young team got better and better as the game went on, and we always looked likely to score.
"The manner of the win gives the team confidence and shows everyone outside we are a good football team who can play some good stuff and that we have the resolve to go away from home, batten down the hatches and do well for each other."
The manager was keen to play down any immediate thoughts of a top-six march, however.
He said: "It was a top drawer performance, I know that, I don't know about top six. Everyone was talking after Saturday about breaking into the top half, but it is just one win.
"We've got some big games coming up and I always said this was a big month."
He added: "I wanted 2012 to be a good year, and I always knew the second half of the season would be better than the first.
"If we can get everyone fit and add to the squad, then we can look forward to the next few months with optimism."
