Shinnie aiming to repeat League Cup upset against 'powerhouse' Hearts

Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Graeme Shinnie says they need to harness the positivity from the start of their campaign going in to Sunday's Premier Sports Cup last 16 trip to Hearts. The Caley Jags finished top of their group in the competition, one which included Premiership side St Johnstone, who they defeated 1-0. They have also made a solid return to the Championship, drawing both their opening games in the second tier – against Dunfermline and Arbroath. But Shinnie, 35, who arrived from Aberdeen this summer, is under no illusions about the size of the challenge they face in the capital. "We are well aware of what they are and what they've got but it's a game for us to try and nullify what they've got as much as we can, and try and knock them off their rhythm," Shinnie said. "If they play to their rhythm at home, they will be a powerhouse for anyone - like they showed last season. "It's about trying to knock them off their game and trying to show ourselves as well and what we can do. We need to try and keep and take that positivity into Sunday and try to build on it." Shinnie was in the Inverness side that faced Hearts in the League Cup semi-final in 2014. Under the guidance of John Hughes, they came from 2-1 down to win on penalties, despite playing the entirety of extra-time with nine men after two red cards. Unfortunately for Caley Thistle, they couldn't pull off a similar upset in the final as they lost to Aberdeen - who Shinnie would join a year later. "[A Cup shock] is always a possibility in these Cup games and there've been many over the years especially at Inverness that I've been involved in, but you need a lot to go for you on the day," he said. "We need to play to the best of our ability to give ourselves a chance, we need to make a mark in the game, we don't want to go there and just defend and defend and defend – we want to attack as well. "There is a lot that needs to go our way but we are focussed and we are ready for it."