HEAD coach Scott Kellacher says Calum Macleod and Alfie Stewart being called up for the Scotland Under-21 squad is an inspiration to all young players at the club.

Both 20-year-olds have featured in all 19 of Caley Thistle’s games so far this season, with that level of consistency in the Championship convincing Scotland under-21 manager and former Ross County manager Tony Docherty to take a closer look at them.

Kellacher said the club have taken great pride in both players being selected to represent Scotland Under-21’s showing their call-ups have been well deserved.

He said: "To say I'm proud would be an understatement.

"The club is delighted and the boys deserve it. They have worked really hard.

"It shows that opportunities are there for them.

"They have been consistent in their performances.

"Calum has come through our youth academy, so it's absolutely terrific.

"It sets a precedent for the younger lads coming through. It shows you can get through the system and into the international set-up.

"Ryan Christie is another who came through the system here and he's a first team regular with Scotland.

"Graeme Shinnie is another player who has come through here and had some career with two Scottish Cups and playing for his country.

"Hard work can pay off. I'm delighted they're taking notice of the boys.

"Sometimes we can maybe be a bit forgotten about up this way.

"There are opportunities now for other boys, so it's up to them to grab it.

"As a club, and staff, we're delighted. Calum and Alfie are two humble boys.”

Both matches are taking place in Alicante in Spain, with it clashing with Caley Thistle’s match away to Partick Thistle on Saturday, November 13 which will they both miss.

Kellacher, while disappointed they will be without their services next week, is more proud of them being selected for Scotland Under-21.

"The two boys are getting their chance to play for their country. That's what it's all about.

"There's no better feeling. I was fortunate enough to play for Scotland under-16s here, which is a great memory. We beat England 5-1 here at the stadium.

"They just need to grab it with both hands and enjoy every single minute. That's why you work hard, to get a chance to play for your country.

"The boys are thriving. They have got to want more for themselves. They have to push themselves every day to be the best they can be.

"If you do that, doors start to open for you. People start to take notice.”

Inverness return to Championship action tomorrow when they face Livingston at the Sarens PSG Stadium.

Despite being hammered 5-1 at Dunfermline, Inverness are only six points off leaders Partick and Kellacher is keen to keep in touch with the top teams.

We have been good at home. We have tried over the last two years to make it a hard place for teams to come.

He said: “We are only six points off top which is a positive. We want to make sure we consolidate this year and won’t get carried away.

“There are good teams at the top such as Partick, Livingston and Dunfermline. Raith are in among in along with Stenny.

All it takes is the teams below them to put a run together and you’re in among it. We are a team that wants to keep heads down, take one game at a time and hope it puts us in a good place at end of the season.”