Blair Alston admits it would be the perfect time for Kilmarnock to break their Highland hoodoo as they bid to take a massive step towards a top-flight return.
It has been 12 years since the Ayrshire side left Inverness with a win and the Killie midfielder reckons ending that streak will put the Championship title within their grasp.
A four-point gap over second placed Arbroath has Killie on the brink of claiming the crown, but Alston admits it's all about staying grounded.
He said: “It sounds so simple to say but if we win the next two games, we win the league.
“The games this season have always been tight, we know it will be difficult.
“We certainly feel like we are capable of going there and winning.
“I didn’t know it had been 12 years but there is no reason why we can’t break that this time. We are on a good run of form, we have had good performances and now we are looking forward to the Inverness game.”
The 30-year-old’s experience of being part of a promotion collapse as a Falkirk player remains fresh.
And he’s aiming to banish that memory from last season with a career first by landing the title.
He said: “In terms of attempting to go and win a league, it’s probably the first time I’ve had that.
“Last year at Falkirk it was supposed to be like that and at Falkirk previously we always challenged near the top of the league. Although it’s a different aim, there is always pressure no matter what club you are at.
“This year it’s all about winning the league and we need to make sure we go and finish it off now.”
January’s arrival of Derek McInnes as boss has proved to be the guiding hand that has brought consistency to displays, a trait that had been badly lacking. Alston admits a collective effort was required to turn a corner with Killie then sitting third.
He said: “It’s hard to say if there has been one thing that’s changed but we are playing a lot better.
“Performance wise, they have been stronger and the results show that. But I don’t think you can point to one thing and say, ‘It was the difference’.
“We have been playing a lot better, individually we are better and we are better as a unit.
“What we struggled with at the start was the big turnaround, it was a new squad and we had to get used to each other’s styles.
“Then there was the change of manager and new players came in again in January.
“Recently we have got the balance a lot better, the team are playing well and the squad is strong.”
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