JOHN HUGHES admitted it had been a "horrible week" in the build-up to yesterday's 5-0 hammering at Celtic Park.

With one eye on this Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup final against Falkirk at Hampden, Hughes made wholesale changes.

Caley Thistle regulars Josh Meekings, Graeme Shinnie, Ross Draper, Edward Ofere, Greg Tansey and David Raven were nowhere to be seen, while Marley Watkins and Aaron Doran were on the bench which had only five substitutes.

The visitors were then put to the sword in a one-sided game.

"It was a horrible week because you are preparing for the Scottish Cup final and you still have Celtic here," said Hughes. "What team do you pick?

"You owe it to the boys. What if one of them pick up a straight red card and misses the final? That's why some didn't even travel.

"They will still go into the game with confidence and momentum, they had nothing to do with this today. They will be flying high. Now all our focus is on the Scottish Cup.

"But Celtic were very good today. They deserve to be champions, they are the best team in Scotland. You could bring your best team to Celtic and get done for five.

"But we need to get it out the way and get ready to go for this week. It was disappointing to lose five goals nevertheless."

Inverness defender Gary Warren, who is suspended for the final after being banned for the League Cup final against Aberdeen last season, insists he has an "important role" to play in the build-up to Hampden.

He said: "It will be a strange week for me, but one which I will treat exactly the same as if I was playing. I got my head round it quickly, to be honest with you.

"I think the experience of last year has helped me through and there are more important things in life."