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Queen of the South -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Push for Promotion
 
After the euphoria of a tremendous performance and result in the Scottish Cup win over Dundee United, it's back to the weekly chore of the Championship with a visit to Dumfries to take on Queen of the South.
Yes folks, the push for promotion starts right here, right now, as we now find ourselves outside the play-off spot as we enter the final round of fixtures in the Championship.
Plenty of action off the field at the Caledonian Stadium with CEO Yvonne Crook departing and our financial plight in the public domain. You can debate that and more on Caley Thistle Online. But we'll stick to the onfield activities just now with some crucial games coming up.
Turnstile numbers for visiting fans, section of the ground
BDS Digital (East) Stand section 6 has been set aside for away supporters. Turnstile 3 will be in use. Shared catering outlet and toilets in the BDS stand will be available for use. Catering is also available in the Arena café where a full menu is available before kick-off. The bar under the Gates Stand will also be open for refreshments.
Please note that the BDS Stand ticket office is a CASH ONLY office. Should spectators wish to pay by card then they should purchase their tickets at the Arena ticket office.
Adults - £18, Concessions - £10, Under 16 - £5, Adult Accessible - £8, 
Concession Accessible - £5, U16 Accessible - £3
It's our final game against Queen of the South for this season and there has been two draws and a win for Queens in the last one at Inverness. The most remarkable game was the 3-3 draw at Palmerston back in November. Lyndon Dykes, Stephen Dobbie and Josh Todd had Queens cigaring it. However, in a 10 minute burst, Inverness snatched a point and could have won it at the death. Goals from Jamie McCart, Nathan Austin and a Sean Welsh penalty squared the game and that was enough for a point. 
Speaking on the Doonhamers website, Gary Naysmith had this to say "We’ve lost six on the bounce now and that cold statistic doesn’t make good reading but it’s only part of the story because we’ve played well in nearly all of the games. I would be very concerned indeed if the performance levels were poor, but they’re not. The effort and the commitment in the games cannot be questioned. The players put in a really good shift again last weekend but the reoccurring problem is that we are not scoring goals when we are on top." Sounds familiar Gary!
The table now shows that Dunfermline are in the final play-off spot after they beat Queens last week whilst we were on cup duty, albeit having played a game more, but it's points in the bag for the Pars. That's four wins on the trot for Dunfermline and they are one of the form teams in the League right now. Queens are the poorest side after six championship defeats in a row. The goals for and against for both clubs are similar, but with Stephen Dobbie in your side, those stats can change quickly.
 Our last game was the epic tie at Tannadice where we overcame United and a spot of diving to get into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup where we will face the winners of the Hearts v Partick Thistle replay. Joe Chalmers scored our first with a sublime curling strike into the top corner and Aaron Doran won the game in time added on to stun the big home crowd. It was no more than we deserved though. How I wish we could take our cup passion into the Championship games.
John Robertson has doubts over Tom Walsh and Anthony McDonald. Both missed the Arabs game through injury.
Gary Naysmith will be without Josh Todd and Nicky Low. Both are out through injury.
Robbo and Aaron talking ahead of the visit to Palmerston.........

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By tm4tj in Previews 2018-19 ·

Dundee Utd -V- Inverness CT - Sc Cup - Report

KARMA BIG STYLE
 
Inverness opened the scoring when Joe Chalmers cut onto his left foot and curled the ball into the roof of the net from sixteen yards for a sublime goal. Chalmers almost added a second but he volleyed onto the bar from six yards when the ball found him unmarked. The first half ended at 1-0 with Ridgers a virtual spectator. Substitute Paul McMullan blatantly cheated to earn a penalty and Nicky Clark slotted his second in two games. In a dramatic finish, Nathan Austin had a marginal offside decision go against him as he superbly headed home a Polworth free kick, however, Aaron Doran nodded home after a fantastic knock on from Jordan White to win the tie in the second minute of time added on.
Hampden here we come.....................
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A place in the semi-final beckoned for the winner and an opportunity for some welcome income to go along with the prestige of a kick about at Hampden. It doesn't get much better than that surely!
The last time we were at Hampden Park we came home with a nice wee trophy to show for our efforts against Falkirk as local artist Sophie Robb depicts, despite Tommy Tremarco falling over the ball and making us sweat. That was in May 2015.
The Arabs have waited a bit longer for Scottish Cup success. They lifted the trophy in 2010 beating the wee team from the Highlands in the final. The olde adage, big team big cup, wee team wee cup still stands today. 
A big home support were out in force today as they remembered James Jack, a local fan who sadly passed away recently and a minutes applause would break out in the 31st minute in his remembrance.
To the game, and John Robertson made three changes from the side that lost at Tannadice on Tuesday night. In came Carl Tremarco, Aaron Doran and Jamie McCart, and on to the bench went Charlie Trafford, and Shaun Rooney with Kevin McHattie and Anthony McDonald out injured.
Robbie Neilson has Fraser Fyvie and Cammy Smith back in but Calum Butcher missed out through injury. Frederic Frans is out for around six weeks.
Over 7200 fans were on hand to watch this spectacle as United kicked off but it was the visitors that pressed high and forced United onto the back foot in the opening exchanges. 
Big Jordan White has grown into his role up front for the Caley Jags and he did well to hold up and feed the ball to Aaron Doran who fired the first effort towards goal. Benjamin Siegrist felt the need to push it round the post for a corner. 
Doran was teasing the United defence and he was brought down on the left side. Liam Polworth flighted a lovely ball into the box but White got under it and headed over from an inviting position.
The opening goal would come in the 19th minute and a thing of beauty it was. We won possession on the halfway and Doran linked brilliantly with Polworth, a cheeky wee backheel from the wee man allowing Polly to chip a ball to the left edge of the penalty box where Joe Chalmers gathered. He stepped inside the defender and curled a magnificently sweet shot into the keepers top right corner. It was his first of the season and I doubt he will score a better goal.
Three minutes later it could have been two and no more than our dominance deserved. A teasing ball from Doran skimmed off a defender and Chalmers came in behind to crack one off the bar from six yards. What a let-off for United.
Tremarco made a trademark 'putting your body on the line' block as Peter Pawlett tried to get a shot away. Tenacious defending from Tommy.
The 31st minute saw a rousing round of applause for James Jack as the whole stadium joined in.
United had settled into the game a bit more but the Highland rearguard were repelling the feeble United attacks and Mark Ridgers was a mere spectator other than grabbing a few crosses with confidence.
The first penalty appeal for United passed without action from the referee. He would be fooled later in the game.
A dominant performance by Inverness in the first half who could easily have been three up. However, the strike from Chalmers it was that separated the sides.
Half-Time 0-1
The procession continued in the second half and Polly fired one straight at the keeper. Neilson had seen enough rubbish from his side and removed Cammy Smith to replace him by Paul McMullan who would play an active part in their equaliser later in the game. If memory serves me right, this is not the first time same player has managed to con a referee.
The one way traffic continued though and Polly and Chalmers threatened to add a second. It was Charlie Trafford who was inches away from it with a thunderous drive that whistled high past the post with maximum power.
United had brought on Morgaro Gomis by now and he seemed to add a bit of steel to the Arabs midfield. They managed to create an opening for a strike that was similar to Trafford's effort. This one from McMullan was a legitimate effort that Ridgers had to deal with, diving to his right to beat the ball away, Coll Donaldson completing the clearance at the expense of a corner. From the corner we failed to execute a decisive clearance and United burrowed into the box. White stuck a toe out and McMullan felt a tap on his boot. His delayed reaction told me he thought about it before leaving his two legs behind to con Steven McLean into awarding a penalty. Like Tuesday night, Nicky Clark took it and like Tuesday night he put it behind Ridgers in a replication penalty.
Undaunted we took up where we had left off, on the front foot and big Jordan was denied twice as he forced his way into the box, Siegrist doing well to smother after he had turned his marker. Doran also was foiled by the keeper.
With ten minutes left Nathan Austin thought he had scored with a magnificent header across the keeper. The celebrations were cut short when the linesman flagged for offside. Wow, that's some eyes that man has as this must have been down to millimetres. Great effort from the Inverness sub.
The board showed that there would be three minutes of time added on as the game was heading for a replay. 
We still looked the most likely to win the game and in the 92nd minute Doran paved the way for Robbo to sprint onto the pitch in joyous celebration. Brad Mckay would take a throw in deep down the right flank. He launched a beauty into the box where big Jordan was in between two defenders. He won the ball cleanly to head flick it into the box and there was Aaron arriving at the right time to head the ball bravely into the net with Siegrist scrambling the other way across his line and a boot almost connecting with Doran's ear. 
Scenes! Cue wild celebrations from Robbo, the players and the visiting fans.
What a climax to the game and you could see what it meant to all involved. That'll be Robbo out of breath for the week after his exertions.
Off to Hampden for a semi-final game and a day out for our fantastic support. Also a wee financial boost for the accountants who will be chuffed about this.
Rooney and Austin picked up late bookings as we frustrated United into submission. One booking we could have done without was an earlier one for Donaldson at the dubious penalty award.
 
Aaron Doran was MotM, and not just for his goal, his all round game showed he was a menace to United from the start. To be honest you couldn't fault anyone in a total team performance. Jordan White has become a fans favourite after a stuttering start at Inverness and he showed yesterday how important he is to our game plan. Chalmers was incredible as well and Liam Polworth showed his value with some great through balls. Unsung heroes all over the park and none moreso that Charlie Trafford who was immense in the engine room.
So, a cup semi-final to look forward too. We will find our destiny after the Partick v Hearts game tonight. 
Action can be seen on the BBC Sport website
Here's an ecstatic Robbo talking after the game.........
Enjoy..................
Here's another version of the game.............
 
 
Date: 03/03/2019  Venue: Tannadice Attendance: 7274 Referee: Steven McLean
 
Dundee United: 1
Lineup:  Siegrist; Seaman, Reynolds, Robson, Connolly, Harkes, Fyvie (Gomis 64), Clark,  C Smith (McMullan 53), Pawlett, Safranko. Subs (not used): Laidlaw; Watson, Booth, Nesbitt, Stanton Scorers: Clark (pen 67)  Booked: Fyvie (58), Safranko (85) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2
Lineup:  Ridgers; B Mckay, Donaldson, McCart, Tremarco, Doran, Polworth (Rooney 90+3), Trafford (Austin 77), Welsh, Chalmers, White. Subs (not used): C Mackay, McCauley, MacGregor,, D Mackay, Hyde Scorers: Chalmers (19), Doran (90+2) Booked: Donaldson (69), Rooney(90+4), Austin(90+5) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2018-19 ·

Dundee Utd -V- Inverness CT - Sc Cup - Preview

Cup Quarters
 
Back down to Tannadice for the second part of the two game Arabfest as we face Dundee United in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup, having lost the first installment 1-0 on Tuesday night in a very close Championship encounter.
30th May 2015. A day we never thought would be possible. One that is etched on the minds of all Caley Jags fans, right up there with Feb8th 2000. So, here we are again, the prospect of returning to Hampden for a Cup Semi-Final and with it the opportunity to earn a few bob.
Dundee United have confirmed that there will be a cash gate at the Cup game. Cash prices are set at Adults £20, Concessions £10
The @feddusc are holding a minutes applause in the 31st minute of tomorrow's match in memory of, loyal United fan, James Jack. 
We'd ask all #ICTFC supporters attending tomorrow's match to to share in this mark of respect 
This tribute to James is from the Federation of Dundee United Supporters Clubs.
With great sadness, the Dundee United Family lost one of our finest a few weeks back when James Jack sadly passed away aged just 31.
In tribute to James on Sunday before the game against Inverness there will be a march from The Snug Bar at 3pm to Tannadice to which all are invited.
In addition there will be a minutes applause held during the game at the 31st minute in remembrance of a true gent .
RIP James Jack 
Tuesday night saw John Robertson trying to rest some of his creaking squad. Tom Walsh and Anthony McDonald missed out through injury with Carl Tremarco and Jamie McCart on the bench. The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot after Coll Donaldson went through the striker. Nicky Clark put Ridgers the wrong way and that was enough to win all three points. 
United are expecting a big crowd for this tie with allegedly upwards of 6000 advance ticket sales already off the shelf. A trip to Hampden for the semi-finals will be the reward for the winners and more importantly, especially for Inverness, a wee financial boost for the coffers of our cash strapped club.
The other ties in the round begin with Hibs v Celtic. Now that's an interesting one, what with Brenda Rodgers leaving and Neil Lemon arriving at Parkhead. Might even be worth watching just to hear the songs. Oh the banter!  The game ended Hibs 0-2 Celtic (Forrest, Brown).
Aberdeen v Rangers, another injury strewn fixture should have some wonderful poetic chants. I expect a few renditions of "Who's that lying over there......." with witty retorts of "Sheep shagging bastards."
I suppose we'll just have to go with our elongated stereotypical Highland reserve and long standing erstwhile chant of "Give me an I..........."
The Partick v Hearts game. Will the "Red and Yellow" drown out the "Hearts Hearts Glorious Hearts". It's down at Tynecastle they play. Would you believe it!
The draw for the semi-finals will take place immediately after the Firhill clash on Monday night.
I would be more concerned if I were a Dundee United fan after the performances of both sides last Tuesday. While we rested two or three, United with their lush depth of squad went for the points. They achieved that although we could easily have picked up a point with some better finishing or choice of ball around the box. Carl Tremarco and Jamie McCart will surely return to the back four giving us a more familiar look. Tom Walsh will be a major blow should he not recover though. 
It turns out that the much maligned Jordan White is one of the top scorers in the Scottish Cup this season. Who knew?
The big man has his knockers (ooh err missus), but he has been knocking them in in the cup, a hat-trick against Edinburgh City helping the cause.
Leader Stephen Dobbie is out of the competition, so let's give Jordan our support and see if he can top the scoring charts, starting with a couple at Tannadice on Sunday.
Inverness have major doubts over the fitness of Tom Walsh and Anthony McDonald has a groin injury. Jamie McCart should be fit enough to resume with the squad but defender Kevin McHattie is out after suffering a couple of injuries in midweek. Knee and shoulder problems will sideline him. Listen to Robbo ahead of the cup game at Tannadice......
Robbie Neilson will be without centre back Frederic Frans and Calum Butcher. Frans will be out for around six weeks with a groin injury. Rachid Bouhenna will return to bolster the squad.
 
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By tm4tj in Previews 2018-19 ·

Dundee United -V- Inverness CT - Report

Tannadice woe.
 
Dundee United would inflict further woe on cash strapped Inverness after a close encounter of the third kind. A Nicky Clark penalty was sufficient to swing the game towards United with Inverness just failing to get back on level terms.
John Robertson would rest Carl Tremarco and Aaron Doran, although Jamie McCart made the bench, but Tom Walsh and Anthony McDonald were out injured.
United kicked off with over 4700 watching and immediately put Inverness onto the back foot creating three or four openings inside the first ten minutes. Peter Pawlett and Charlie Seaman narrowly missing the target from great positions inside the box and Nicky Clark heading tamely wide.
Kevin McHattie was booked in the 17th minute as the Inverness defence came under sustained pressure. 
It took Inverness half an hour to fashion out a decent opportunity and Shaun Rooney headed over. Nathan Austin then drove into the box but his shot had the sting taken out of it and Ben Siegrist gathered. Coll Donaldson followed that up by heading over from close range as we began to threaten the home defence.
Pawlett was the Arabs danger man as he drove forward and at the other end a Connolly error almost led to Austin getting in on goal.
It was Pawlett that was causing most problems for the visitors, but at the break it was all square.
Half-Time 0-0
There were no changes at the start of the second half as Liam Polworth kicked off.
United were first to try after the break but Ridgers easily mopped up an effort from Clark. Inverness responded with Polworth firing over from outside the box and Austin almost flicked on to White, but United got it clear. Harkes had to clear one away from the line after some confusion in the Arabs ranks.
Inverness were having a good spell and a Rooney cross was headed over by Austin................ However, It's the kiss of death and United get a penalty awarded after Coll Donaldson tripped Nicky Clark in the box, Clark converting from the spot.
Three minutes later, the problematic Pawlett became a problem for United as he was sent off for a second bookable offence. 
Charlie Trafford shot just wide from outside the box as we looked to get back on level terms and an Austin header and a Chalmers shot had to be saved by Siegrist.
Plenty of Caley Jags pressure in the final ten minutes with United down to ten men and the last fling is Daniel Mackay replacing Joe Chalmers as the clock ticked past ninety minutes.
Safranko passed on a great chance to seal the points at the end but he blazed the ball over the bar and Donaldson saw a deflected effort tipped over, but it was too little too late as United held on for all three points.
 
After tonights results, Dunfermline closed the gap to two points behind Inverness after a 3-0 win over Partick Thistle, Morton a further point behind after they beat Queen of the South and Ross County stretched their lead at the top by beating Ayr United thanks to a Billy Mckay hat-trick.
 
Stirling Observer observed thus on CTO:-
Entertaining game for one we didn't manage to score. Took a while to settle to the diamond midfield and Utd could have been out of sight. Gradually worked our way into the game and were arguably on top despite not creating much. 
Second half was really open and end to end. They were on top for a spell when they won the pen. I would have said it was a fair award. Coll lunged in to block the shot but took the players legs before the ball. Mchattie took an awful touch to draw Pawlett into a rash challenge for his second booking. This killed the game as our lack of creativity against there solid unit meant the classic sit deep and let us punt it. Coll's last second deflected shot was the closest I think we got, but Safranko did miss a great chance late on. 
Speaking to BBC Sport the managers had this to say:-
Dundee United head coach Robbie Neilson: "I thought the first half we played well but couldn't get the ball over the line.
"It's massive for us. It takes us a step further and now second in the league."
Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson: "I'm disappointed. I thought United started very well. Coming down the slope, they got at us with good chances, but then we settled.
"We changed our system a bit tonight by playing a diamond in there just to upset them."

Action from Tannadice..............
 
 
 
Date: 26/02/2019 Venue: Tannadice Attendance: 4737 Referee: Barry Cook
 
Dundee United: 1
Lineup:  Siegrist; McMullan (Nesbitt 59), Clark (Gomis 78), Reynolds, Robson, Butcher, Seaman (Watson 84), Connolly, Harkes, Safranko, Pawlett. Subs (not used): Laidlaw, Fyvie, Sow, Smith. Scorers: Clark (pen 68) Booked: Connolly (32), Pawlett (48, 72), Safranko (82) Sent Off: Pawlett (72) Inverness CT: 0
Lineup:  Ridgers; Rooney, B Mckay, Donaldson, McHattie (Doran 76), Austin, Trafford (McCauley 82), Polworth, Welsh, Chalmers (D Mackay), White. Subs (not used): C Mackay, Tremarco, McCart, MacGregor. Scorers: none Booked: McHattie (17), Rooney (47) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2018-19 ·

Dundee Utd -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Arabfest
 
First game of the Dundee United double header tonight as we head to Tannadice on League business.
The recent hectic schedule has been taking it's toll and our wafer thin squad is being stretched to the limit after some physically draining games since the turn of the year. Nonetheless we will need to protect our position within the play-off zone as we near the final rounds of Championship games.
Off the field of play the financial side of things has taken a battering. On the park we are faring slightly better. Fourth in the table and a cup quarter final to look forward to.
It's the 25th anniversary of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, but unfortunately, the off field financial situation is grabbing all the headlines at the moment with a massive loss of £810,000 being reported for season 2017/2018. It looks more like a Go Fund Me page will be incoming soon, and that's not really a joke. If you ask me, Robbo has worked wonders on a shoe-string budget and it looks as though that will get worse before it gets better. Chairmans Message
The sides have met twice this season, both games ending in 1-1 draws. Safranko opened the scoring in the first game but Jordan White levelled with twenty minutes to go. Coll Donaldson was sent packing ten minutes from the end as we held on for a point. In the next fixture at Inverness in mid December Tom Walsh scored early for Inverness but former Caley Jags  player Billy King equalised with quarter of an hour to go. Meh!
Our last game was a 1-0 win over Morton. The result was better than the performance with Carl Tremarco notching the goal. United faltered against Dundee United at the weekend with the Bairns coming from behind to grab a draw. Cammie Smith had put United in front just after the break but Falkirk got their point when Ciaran McKenna's header powered home with five minutes remaining.
Ross County face Ayr United tonight in a top of the table clash.
Inverness will wait to see who is fit enough to start in this game. The Cup game follows on Sunday and that could be seen as more lucrative for Inverness,  given the financial benefits of a Cup run to Hampden situation. With a five point cushion in fourth spot, that could pave the way for one or two to be rested tonight. Tom Walsh missed out against Morton and Jamie McCart went off injured. Coll Donaldson was supposed to be resting but was called into action and he too took a couple of heavy knocks. Maybe a chance for some of the youngsters that Mr Rae is talking about to stake a claim for a start.
Dundee United have sufficient resources to not have to worry about who will be fit enough to start. Recent acquisition Peter Pawlett will feature tonight.
Here's Robbo talking ahead of the Arabs Championship clash.
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2018-19 ·

Inverness CT -V- Morton - Report

No rest for Coll
 
The gruelling recent schedule was taking it's toll as Inverness played out a slender one goal win against Morton. Carl Tremarco glanced an early header home with what proved to be the only goal of the game.
The final result was closer than it could have been, but given our recent exertions, then we'll take a narrow win over the Greenock side any day as we tried to conserve our energy levels.
This win gives us a five point cushion in fourth place in the quest for a play-off slot, with Dunfermline emerging as the next best placed team to mount a challenge. Queen of the South and Morton are a further point behind the Pars.
So it's still all to play for as we get down to the business end of the season with Ross County looking most likely to top the table after a great 4-2 win at Partick who hit the bottom.
John Robertson tried to protect some players by giving Shaun Rooney a start at right back and moving Brad Mckay alongside Jamie McCart in central defence whilst resting Coll Donaldson. That plan went pear shaped when McCart had to leave the field after sustaining an injury on the half hour which meant no day of rest for Coll Donaldson. Tom Walsh missed out after picking up an injury against County in the cup and Anthony McDonald took his place.
The more mundane atmosphere of the Championship fixture barely whispered round the ground with only a busload or two in the away end amongst some 2400 fans in the stadium. Liam Polworth set the ball rolling as we kicked off towards the away end.
Nothing of note in the opening exchanges as both sides jockeyed for position, but Captain Carl would break the deadlock in the eleventh minute as he met a Liam Polworth corner at the near post to send the ball behind keeper McCrorie.
The visitors responded and Mark Ridgers had to tip an effort from Chris Millar behind for a corner a couple of minutes after the goal. The ball looked like it might just be heading for the outside of the woodwork, but Mark took no chances and dealt with it accordingly.
Brad McKay missed an opportunity after a ball found him in the box. Unfortunately it was more of the ball hitting Brad than Brad hitting the ball and the chance was missed.
The game had little flow about it as players from both sides looked too eager to impress, nobody willing to put their foot on the ball and control proceedings.
Jamie McCart went down and had to be replaced by courageous Coll on the half hour.
Jordan White knocked a header forward but it just evaded the strikers as it ran through to the box after Polly passed on.
We saw out the half with little coming from Morton in an attacking sense, the hosts doing just enough to keep their advantage.
Half-Time 1-0
Darren McCauley replaced the injured Anthony McDonald at the interval and it was more of the same after the break. Morton struggling to create, Inverness happy with the reprieve.
In the 57th minute Tremarco almost got his second goal but his header was cleared off the line by Buchanan to deny the captain as he met a great ball in from Sean Welsh.
There followed a spell of Inverness pressure where we threatened to run a way with the game, but some last ditch defending and wayward shooting kept the score at 1-0.
The second half was fast becoming an anti-climax as we were content to give the lightweight Morton offence the ball, and fortunately they had little idea what to do with it. 
Donaldson received more treatment towards the end after going down injured, but he is made of strong stuff is Coll and he resumed after being repaired.
As the clock ticked away, we sat deeper and deeper allowing the visitors the freedom of the park. We did counter on a few occasions but in all honesty neither side looked likely to get another goal. The game ended with Morton frantically trying to put pressure on our defence, but we held out comfortably enough to record only our third home win in the Championship.
 
It was a much needed low key encounter and a welcome three points that boosts our play-off chances. Carl Tremarco is the proverbial Duracell Bunny and he gets my nod for MotM. That was his first goal this term and it was good enough to win all three points. 
The future is bright, the future is orange. It's a difficult week coming up with two visits to Tannadice. On Wednesday it's Championship night and Sunday is the quarter final of the Scottish Cup, so no let up in the intensity and challenges for our stretched squad.
From BBC Sport
Inverness CT boss John Robertson: "We created plenty of chances today but we had to hang on. The last five or six minutes we decided to just take what we had. I cannot praise the players highly enough for their attitude and application.
"They gave it everything and they gave absolutely everything they had on Tuesday, and absolutely everything today so it's a wonderful three points. It was a massive performance from them."
Morton manager Jonatan Johansson: "I'm disappointed with the result obviously and I'm also disappointed in the way we lost the goal - another set-play. I know we are a small team but we need to be better at defensive set plays - they've been costing us for a while now.
"Before that I felt everything was going alright. I think we played some nice passing football but in the final third we didn't have the spark or belief and it was powder-puff at times. We never really threatened them."
Match Highlights from Caley Jags TV
 
Yesterday's goal hero, Tommy Tremarco.................
 
Date: 23/02/2019  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2413 Referee: Steven Reid
 
Inverness CT: 1
Lineup:  Ridgers; Rooney, B Mckay, McCart (Donaldson 32), Tremarco, McDonald (McCauley 45),  Polworth (Trafford 83), Welsh, Chalmers, Doran, White Subs (not used): C Mackay, McHattie, Austin, D Mackay. Scorers: Tremarco (11) Booked: Tremarco (36) Sent Off: none Morton FC: 0
Lineup:  McCrorie; McAlister, Waddell, Buchanan, Iredale, Millar, Telfer (Tidser 60), Dykes (Lyon 70), O'Connell (Tumilty 59), McHugh, Kiltie Subs (not used): Gaston; Kilday, Thomson, Dallas. Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2018-19 ·

Inverness CT -V- Morton - Preview

Back to the weekly chore.
 
Back to the mundane weekly chore on Saturday as Morton come North hoping we don't think they are Ross County. If only we could play Ross County every week. 
It was an exciting time to be alive on Tuesday night as Inverness finally got one over our dear friends and near neighbours in the Scottish Cup. It might have taken extra-time and penalties, but we got there in the end and dumped County out of the cup. Big team big cup, wee team wee cup.
We will now face Dundee United at Tannadice in the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Cup on Sunday 3rd March, 15.30 kick-off. Adults £15, Concessions (Over 65s, Students, Under 18s and Under 12s) £5. Get your tickets HERE

What an intense experience that was. Noisy crowd, four goals, eight bookings, a fracas in extra-time and Nathan Austin squeezing home the final penalty to win the tie. We have had greater achievements, but for sheer drama, this one will take a lot of beating. There has been nothing between the sides in all five games this season and the tension was palpable as the sides took to the field. County went ahead when Ross Stewart bounced in a header only for Jordan White to power one of his own behind Fox. Gobby Gardyne put County back in front but Jordan stroked in his second of the night. An extra thirty minutes failed to separate the sides although Carl Tremarco hit the junction of post and bar with a hooked shot and it was down to penalties. Mark Ridgers made the breakthrough as he saved McManus' spot kick and we slotted all five to put a smile back on the Caley Jags fans dials. The young team were our secret weapon as they rallied the troops in the North Stand. Overall it was a great night and here's hoping we can recreate the derby experience in a run of the mill Championship game.
Morton limbered up for this game with a goalless draw against Ayr United last weekend whilst we were suffering at East End Park in a dire performance, going down to a Joe Thomson strike. Those results coupled with Queen of the South losing to Dundee United saw our play-off hopes suffer little damage and a win this weekend would put some more daylight between us and Morton who are only three points behind us at the moment.
The cup tie in midweek was a hard battle and Tom Walsh was injured early on. It looks like he will miss this one with a groin injury although that has not been confirmed yet. The pace of the game took it's toll on the players and it was a survival of the fittest, both mentally and physically. Don't be surprised if one or two require more time to get over that game. Donaldson took a few knocks but was last man standing at the end. The heavy pitch took it's toll as well, so it's up to Robbo to see who has the desire, mental and physical ability to get back on the park again.
Morton had this starting XI against Ayr United:-
23. McCrorie
8. McAlister 5. Waddell 4. Buchanan 3. Iredale
7. Millar 6. Telfer 15. Dykes
44. Dallas 11. McHugh 20. Kiltie
Subs used: 17. O’Connell (for Dallas, 67), and 32. R.Lyon (for Dykes, 90+1)
 
Here's another date for your diary. The IrnBru Cup Final will be played at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday 23rd March with a 16:30 kick off. I suppose it's handy as the Cup is in our trophy cabinet anyway. The final will be between Ross County who will have to make the arduous 12 mile journey over the Kessock Bridge, and Connah's Quay Nomads from Wales who will only have to make the 400 mile trip which will take six and a half hours by car. Seems fair enough to me.
Just so they know where they are going, here's Sophie's painting of our stadium.
 
Here's a wee song to while away the hours for all the travelling folk.
 
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By tm4tj in Previews 2018-19 ·

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