Yogi's joy

It's getting rather tight now in the race for third place as St Johnstone and Dundee United close in on Inverness who are doing their best to let someone else take the European place for finishing third in the league.

The games are coming thick and fast now and only three days after drawing at Perth, Inverness have another must not lose game to contend with as Dundee United come North. The Arabs looked to be out of the race but as Inverness falter in the home straight, United and St Johnstone lurk just four points behind us with only three games remaining after this postponed game gets played.

Things are getting critical for Inverness now as there appears to be no end to the dismal run without a win. In fact it is getting very difficult to see where we can pick up points before the end of the season. Could it be that Yogi is putting all his eggs in one basket and looking to invade Europe on the back of a Scottish Cup win? That's a dangerous game to play, and given our tremendous start to the campaign, the last couple of months have been disappointing to say the least.

Four games left. Two home games against United and away to Dundee before completing the season at Parkhead. Celtic will be in no mood to let us spoil their championship parade and Dens Park is historically a tough venue for us. That leaves the two games against United as the ones where we will have the best opportunity to clinch third place, although I'm sure Dundee United will believe they can overtake us. Next Saturday could prove to be the day when things swing our way if we can overcome Dundee. That same day there will be a crucial Tayside derby in Perth as St Johnstone take on Dundee United.

It can be done, but we don't do anything the easy way. Where's the fun in that.

There was some good news for Inverness fans as John Hughes picked up the PFA Manager of the Year award on Sunday night. Yogi was not everybody's favourite when he took the reins after Terry Butcher left, but he has transformed our style of play and has had an amazing season, guiding Inverness into our first ever Scottish Cup final and hopefully our highest ever league finish, although that has still to be finalised. Rumour has it that Celtic will be writing a letter to the SFA to ask for some clarification over the decision to award Yogi the title.

Inverness have Ross Draper back after suspension, but David Raven sits this one out after his sending off at Perth. That should open up the back line for Danny Devine to step in, or the possibility of Carl Tremarco coming back with Shinnie swapping flanks. Richie Foran and Dean Brill are long term casualties.

United will be without the injured trio Paul Paton, Ryan Dow and Mario Bilate. Like Foran and Brill, these three will miss the rest of the season.

tm4tj prediction. Well, we can't buy a win just now and with United sensing our fear of finishing third it might be prudent to ensure we don't lose rather than try to win it and fail. Could be that Yogi is resting one or two ahead of the cup final, but I'm sure the local fans would like to see us confirm third place sooner rather than later. I will not be too downhearted with a draw considering what's at stake. A defeat will be a disaster and let United and St Johnstone right back into the mix. Score draw for me to keep United at bay.