Under-fire Inverness Caledonian Thistle boss John Robertson says his return to management has been bruising one but insists he will come out fighting.

Robertson returned for a second spell with the Highlanders during the summer after Caley Thistle's relegation from the top flight last season.

So far, the former Hearts striker has been unable to halt their slide and finds himself under the microscope after only picking up one win in the first seven Championship fixtures.

Robertson believes the greatest pressure is what he puts on himself.

"It's difficult because management isn't easy," he said. "The only time it comes easy is if you are sitting top of the table or way above the expectations of the club.

"Nobody sets any higher expectations on myself than I do. I put pressure on myself to get things right and I will continue to do so.

"You're right, it has been bruising but we knew it would be one of those years where you take knocks and the whole point is you either sit down, give up or you keep fighting.

"Everyone knows I am the type of guy to come out fighting."

Inverness host Queen of the South on Saturday. While Robertson says he understands that football is a results business, he insists he has the backing of the board to carry out a long-term project in the Highlands.

He said: "They've told me there is no issue. The aspect we need to tidy up now is getting results. Managers lose their jobs on the back of poor results.

"We have a long-term vision here which means if we get the results we can carry on with the job in mind.

"That's what the board are backing me to do."