But, while five visits to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium have failed to conjure up a single goal for the Easter Road outfit far less a win, former Thistle star John Rankin believes Hibs can finally secure a result which has eluded both Tony Mowbray and John Collins in the past.

A goal-less draw when Mowbray was in charge – although Hibs did beat Caley in their temporary home of Pittodrie during Thistle's first season in the SPL – is the best the Edinburgh club has achieved, Capital fans wincing on the long trip back down the A9 as they recalled conceding ten goals from their other four trips north.

It's a journey with which Rankin became highly familiar during 18 months with Caley before his £100,000 switch to Hibs during the January transfer window and today, as he prepared to board the team coach bound for Inverness, he revealed how Thistle's outstanding record against the Easter Road side always featured in the pre-match talk.

He said: "It was the one thing which was always mentioned before matches with Hibs, the fact they hadn't scored let alone won at the Caley Stadium.

"But, to be honest, Hibs aren't the only side that finds going there difficult, everyone does. When I was there the players looked forward at the beginning of the season to the visits from the Old Firm, Hibs and Hearts because they always brought a big travelling support.

"Home advantage was also a big thing with Inverness being miles away from anywhere, I don't think anyone relishes making that journey."

A footballing outpost Inverness may certainly be, but 24-year-old Rankin believes that seclusion helped form a strong bond within the Caley squad which was reflected when the team took to the pitch.

Friendships were forged as players based in the Central Belt travelled home after matches on a Saturday night, meeting up again to head north on a Monday before repeating the round-trip on a Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning.

He said: "You'd head home after a game, go back for training on Monday, go home for your day off on Wednesday and then back up on Thursday with double sessions Tuesday and Thursday.

"Some of the boys who travelled shared a house when in Inverness but you also had eight, nine or ten of the guys who lived within a mile of each other up there and as a result we were a close-knit squad who did a lot together. Wives, girlfriends and the children were also all very friendly, it was more like a wee extended family than anything else.

"No matter the result on a Saturday we were all friends, Caley did well as a result and I am sure that will continue for many years to come."

A squad which remained very much intact from season to season was, according to Rankin, another reason why a team which didn't boast any superstars managed to fare so well.

However, there have been a number of changes over the past couple of years with the likes of Craig Dargo, Stuart McCaffrey, Darren Dods, Denis Wyness, Graham Bayne, Richie Hart, Marius Niculae and, of course, Rankin himself, having departed while veteran Barry Wilson's career is winding down.

The Hibs star said: "Some of the boys have been there for five or six years and the fact there were only one or two changes each season was good for the club, but there's been a bit more movement over the past year or so." Caley boss and former Hibs striker Craig Brewster, now 41, appears to have finally hung up his boots and that, said Rankin, would be a great relief for any side travelling to Inverness.

He said: "I'm not sure if it's official but Craig was a terrific player for Thistle as he was for every club he played for.

"He'll be a big loss for them but not seeing his name on their team list will be a huge boost for the opposition given all Craig achieved in his playing career."

However, while mindful of the past history between the clubs, Rankin today insisted Paatelainen's players can actually use that particular record to their own advantage.

He said: "Given what's happened over the past few years when Hibs have gone to Inverness I'd imagine a few people would look on a win for us tomorrow as something of a surprise result. But we are under no illusions as to what is required, our supporters expect us to win every week regardless of who we are playing, that's what goes with playing for a club of this size.

"I believe we can use our record against Inverness to spur us on. It's not an easy place to go but there's no better time than the present to take the three points and get that particular monkey off our backs."

Hibs unburdened themselves of a lot of unwanted baggage with their win over Falkirk last weekend, the victory ending a run of poor results, although, as anyone at Easter Road will tell you, the outcome of pre-season matches was never in the equation.

But, having scored three times in a five-goal thriller against the Bairns, Rankin is confident Paatelainen's players are ready to build on that result.

He said: "If we create as many chances as we did against Falkirk then we'd have to fancy ourselves to win. It's just unfortunate we didn't take a couple more of the opportunities we had to score which would have allowed us to enjoy a much more comfortable afternoon.

"I had one chance myself which I should have finished and, if such an opportunity comes my way tomorrow, then it is imperative I put it in the net because Caley tend not to give you too many sights of their goal.

"But Steven Fletcher and Colin Nish are working well together, Alan O'Brien is flying at the moment and I think we are looking very good going forward while the players behind us are solid enough to let us go and express ourselves.

"And we can actually take a leaf out of Caley's book. They hadn't won at Pittodrie and a lot was getting made of that, but they went there on the opening day of the season and beat Aberdeen 2-0, so there's no reason why we can't go to Inverness and make it back-to-back wins."