INVERNESS boss John Hughes insists his players have no reason to feel ashamed of their midweek League Cup exit to Rangers.

Yogi said: "The big frustration comes from people thinking Rangers are mugs because they are in the Championship.They are far from it.

"If they were in the Premiership they'd be very close to second spot. They have a lot of ex-internationals and experienced players."

Caley Thistle had led the Premiership going into last Saturday's meeting with Partick at Firhill.

But they saw both their proud unbeaten record and run of six successive clean sheets wiped out by a 3-1 defeat before they lost again to the Light Blues three days later.

Last season's League Cup runners-up will now look to bounce back from those back-to-back defeats when they take on St Johnstone's William Hill Scottish Cup winners at home tomorrow.

But Hughes will have to hope Billy McKay can rediscover his scoring touch.

The Northern Irishman has not found the net since the opening day of the season and missed decent chances to score during both of the recent losses in Glasgow.

"We are playing the Scottish Cup winners and that is some feat," said Hughes. "But we're confident of getting a result.

"I've been watching Billy in training and it's only a matter of time before he gets back on the goal trail. I'm quite sure as soon as he gets next goal he will be off and running."