Brewster hails young stars May 03 2008
Inverness manager Craig Brewster hailed youngsters Rory McAllister and Iain Vigurs after they celebrated new contracts with goals in a 6-1 rout of Gretna.
But veteran Barry Wilson may be the biggest winner from the memorable victory after his superb long-range strike gave him added hope of a fresh deal.
Inverness cruised to their biggest Clydesdale Bank Premier League win after Dougie Imrie notched following just 37 seconds of play.
After goals from McAllister and Wilson, Don Cowie added to the rout and Vigurs volleyed a brilliant sixth in injury time, moments after crossing for Ross Tokely to head home.
And Brewster hinted that Wilson, 36, could have played himself into his plans for next season following a loan spell at St Johnstone.
"Barry Wilson has got undoubted talent," Brewster said. "He's been the one player at Caley Thistle in recent years who's made the difference in a lot of games.
"I think since he's come back from St Johnstone there's been a spring in his step and he's enjoying himself.
"I think if he keeps working hard and putting in performances like that, then I'll be delighted."
Brewster was also pleased that his young stars had shown their worth.
"It's always pleasing when you can give young boys a chance when you're doing well," he said.
"It maybe wasn't the time to give Iain Vigurs his first start down at Kilmarnock earlier in the season, so that was pleasing.
"Also Rory getting a start and scoring and then Iain coming off the bench with a good finish, Guy Kerr also getting six or seven minutes."
Gretna caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth revealed a pre-match meal of cold lasagne had summed up their poor build-up to the heavy defeat.
Wadsworth admitted a long journey was the last thing administration-hit Gretna wanted after a week when John-Paul Kissock returned to Everton and Ryan Baldacchino moved to Australia.
He said: "Preparation wasn't great for the game. It was about 7-7:30 we were at the ground, we didn't stop for a meal and we had to eat on the bus, but the microwave wouldn't work. Cold lasagne - so the preparation was poor.
"I don't want to make excuses because I thought Inverness were terrific.
"Having said that, I thought the first goal was scandalous - it was at least three metres offside, it wasn't even marginal - but there's nothing we can do about that.
"I thought we might have had a penalty in the first half, which would have made it a better game."
Wadsworth added: "It's been a bad week, we've lost a couple of players - Kissock and Baldacchino.
"We've just got so little variation just now, and this has been a poor day, but I'm not being critical of the players.
"Today is hopefully just a major blip in this run of games because we've done really well and we've still two to play."