Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Terry Butcher has predicted that this season's newly-formed Scottish Premiership will be one of the most competitive top-flight divisions in recent years.

Butcher's side began the new campaign with a 3-0 victory over St Mirren last weekend at the Caledonian Stadium.

"There's a lot more competition this year than there was last year," Butcher told BBC Scotland.

"When you look at the teams and the way things are shaping up, albeit after one game, everybody's fighting for that second spot.

"There's a real belief amongst the lads. That explosive burst just into the second half against St Mirren certainly fired the boys up and gave them a belief that we can do very well this year."

Inverness finished fourth in the Scottish Premier League last season.