Inverness captain Richie Foran has warned fans anticipating a Highland derby "bloodbath" on Friday night will be disappointed.
Foran has missed half of Caley Thistle's eight SPL games through suspension this season, and is determined to channel his aggression in a positive manner when Inverness and Ross County meet for the first time in the top flight.
Foran said: "When the fixtures come out the first fixtures you used to look for is when you play the Old Firm, that was the big game.
"The first fixture I looked for this season is when we play Ross County.
"It's going to be a wonderful occasion and we can't wait for it to start.
"The build-up has been excellent and it looks like it will be a full house.
"All the supporters will be looking for bragging rights and they will probably be looking for a bloodbath as well, but unfortunately I don't think that's going to happen.
"The game has changed so much in the last couple of years.
"If you go to ground in a tackle, even from the front, and even if you win the ball, you are risking a yellow or red card.
"You have got to calm down. We have to make sure we keep 11 players on the pitch so it is not going to be a bloodbath like that.
"We have got to be more aggressive in passing shots on goal rather than aggressive in the tackle.
"It's not worth the risk of being sent off, we don't want to go down to 10 men in this game."
With goalkeeper Ryan Esson ruled out for up to four weeks with a hip problem, Foran is one of only two players with experience of playing in the Highland derby to be available to Terry Butcher.
The other, Nick Ross, has only sampled five minutes of the fixture on the pitch, but Foran does not believe his side will be at a disadvantage against a County side who have four former Inverness players in their ranks.
"The young lads go out and play with freedom, that's what we tell them every week," Foran said.
"On a big occasion like this you have got to go out and enjoy it.
"Once you are enjoying yourself, you will play well and that's how you win the game.
"It's just another game of football, don't get roped up in all the stuff around you, the cameras, the full house, the atmosphere will be cracking.
"We have to be boiling on the outside but nice and calm on the inside."
