CALEY JAGS midfielder Jonny Hayes says he has not noticed much of a difference in quality since stepping up from the First Division.
The Irishman was a key part of Terry Butcher's side as they won promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking last season.
And he believes there is no great gulf between the divisions.
"Bar the second half against Celtic and the cup game, I don't think we've lacked quality," he told BBC Scotland.
Caley Thistle's 2-1 win away to St Mirren on Saturday moved them up to seventh place, just three points behind third-placed Motherwell.
On a personal level, the 23-year-old feels any improvement in his own game is not simply down to playing at a higher level.
"I think you've got to up your game all the time, no matter what," he added.
"As you get older, you've got to try to improve yourself. But I don't think it's been that much of a step up, to be honest.
"We had some good teams in Division One last year - you saw how well Ross County did (reaching the Scottish Cup final) and I think stepping up to the bottom half of the SPL, I can't really see much difference.
"It's only really when you go to Ibrox or Celtic Park that you notice a difference."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport