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Inverness CT -V- St Mirren - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Thick and Fast


No, not Ben Johnson, but the games are coming in rapid succession just now so I will be brief and to the point.

It's Boxing day, you have had your fill of turkey and mulled wine, the presents are all opened and you need some fresh air.  What better way to exercise your lungs than get down to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium and watch the SPL's most entertaining team.  No, not St Mirren, I'm talking about something that is right under our very own noses, the famous ICT, top scorers and leakiest defence; now surely that is a recipe for a goalless draw if ever I wrote one.  Last Saturday saw a paltry crowd of only 3003 brave the elements to watch another five goals. For heavens sake, surely they deserve better than that, so get off your arses and get down to the dump and see for yourself..........you know it makes sense.

Xmas presents for all at Inverness with the breaking news that Josh Meekings and Graeme Shinnie have both signed two year contract extensions taking them up to May 2015.  Meekings has revelled in his central defence role after an early season injury to Simon King and Graeme Shinnie has made the left back position his own after Kenny Gillet moved on in the summer.  Terry Butcher is quoted as saying "this is a fantastic Christmas present for the club and supporters" and he is hopeful that more will follow.

Inverness eventually overcame a spritely Dundee last time out by the same scoreline they produced at Dens Park, this one more convincing after the Dens Parkers tried to play their way out of trouble, unlike teams like Hamilton who would defend in depth and bore the pants off you. He does score when he wants, it's now official, and he also scores anyway he likes, standing up, volleying, heading, lying down, it's all the same to Billy, he just can't stop scoring.  That's eighteen goals for the season and seven games in a row including that hat-trick against the Arabs.  Confidence is the key, he is like a new player this season after struggling with injuries last year, but there's no stopping him at the moment.

St Mirren pulled off an excellent win on Friday night defeating Motherwell 2-1 in Paisley, Stephen Thompson's first half double being enough to see the Buddies oust Motherwell, a side we have struggled to cope with this season.  That was their fifth SPL win this year and it lifted them above County at the tail end of the league, a nice wee Christmas present for the Paisley faithful.  However, their away form shows only one win in nine games with five defeats.  On the plus side for them, they have only conceded eleven goals on the road, but conversely only scored six.

***Latest Team News***

We have never had it so good on the injury front, although that will be little consolation to long term sufferers Chris Hogg and Simon King.  Josh Meekings went off against Dundee but should recover and a clean bill of health is predicted otherwise.

Danny Lennon will be without Jim Goodwin and Marc McAusland, both suspended. Kenny McLean, Gary Teale and Paul Dummett are all doubts picking up knocks against Motherwell.  Gary Teale also suffered with a tightening of the abductors, although he is expected to be fit and even better news for Buddies fans is that the talented Paul McGowan could be included in the squad.  He has been out since September when he injured his shoulder but is raring to go now according to gaffer Lennon.

tm4tj Prediction:- As the season progresses, it gets more difficult to predict these so called easier games as the teams in trouble tend to raise their game as the stakes get higher.  As these games are not played on paper, this will be another potential banana skin with the Buddies out to get a run going to ease away from danger, but we have become better at holding on to advantages and our scoring streak has become the norm.  I don't see this game as being any different although if the Mirren dig in we may have to be patient, but with McKay in our side, as Ellie Goulding said to me the other day, anything could happen.  I'll go for a tense 2-1 home win.
 
ICT v HEARTS TICKETS (Easter Road)

Tickets for the Scottish Communities League Cup Semi-final on Saturday 26th January at Easter Road, Edinburgh will go on sale as follows:

 
Prority Group Sales from 9:00am on Monday 7th January. (Shareholders, Season Ticket Holders, Caley Jags Together and Centenary Club members)  
General Sales from 9:00am on Thursday 10th January.
Tickets are priced at £15 adults and £5 for Under 16s.
 
:ictscarf:
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

Inverness CT -V- Dundee - Report

Xmas Cheer for Inverness
 
Inverness returned to second spot in the SPL after a comprehensive victory over a spritely Dundee who had come to the Highlands to have a go but were turned over by the free scoring Inverness squad.  The 4-1 scoreline may have flattered Inverness in October, but there was nothing to be embarrassed about this time after a ruthless display sent Dundee deeper into the drop slot.
Billy McKay from the spot opened the scoring after Foran was bundled over, and Owain Tudur-Jones rifled home the second before the break.  McKay showed that he can even score when lying down, nae problem, and Andy Shinnie rounded off the scoring after some deft footwork.  Nicky Riley scored Dundee's counter.
Dundee Stuffed
It's Xmas time, the turkey's getting fat, the presents are under the tree, the reindeer are ready to go and the kids can't sleep at night.  But wait.  Where's Santa?  Sorry kids, he might be in the nick after some festive cheer saw Santa's being ejected from the South Stand as their team, like the turkey got well stuffed.  Hopefully, these were just imposters, and Xmas will go ahead as normal, but the Caley Jags got their presents early with an emphatic victory to send the home fans off to start their festivities after the final whistle.
Don't worry children, Santa will be coming down your chimney soon.

A chilly breezy day saw another dismal crowd of just over three thousand forgo the Christmas shopping, the long queues at Tesco and the horrific sound of endless Xmas songs wherever you go to witness an entertaining enough match with five goals and plenty to cheer.

It was widely predicted that Dundee might be able to offer stern resistance to the free scoring Inverness attack, and for most of the first half this was the case.  An even opening to the game as both sides looked capable of hitting swiftly on the break and Lockwood had the first attempt on target after six minutes but Reguero saved comfortably.  A couple of minutes later and Garry Warren made an error of judgement as a long punt forward bounced of the slippy turf and over his head to let Colin Nish through on goal, but he tried to bend the ball into the bottom corner and Reguero smothered his weak effort with ease.

It was a warning for Inverness that Dundee were not just here to make up the numbers and Nicky Riley, as expected was teasing Graeme Shinnie on the flank.

However, in the twelfth minute, Inverness took the lead after some persistent foraging up front with Rab Douglas and his post keeping the ball out brilliantly from Foran and McKay before Richie Foran was taken down going wide for the rebound.  Who else but he scores when he wants Billy McKay slotted the spot kick home expertly, sending Douglas the wrong way.

Just the lift Inverness needed and McKay's scoring exploits continued, eleven goals in his last seven games, good by any standards.

Dundee were not disheartened by this and still looked lively.  Surprise surprise, an Inverness throw in broke down inside the Dundee half and they neatly transferred the ball up the left side before James McAlister switched the ball to the right wing where tricky Nicky Riley was in acres of space after Inverness had pushed forward.  He controlled the ball well before advancing into the box and sent an angled drive across Reguero and in off the post for an excellent equaliser.

This heartened Dundee once more and after twenty minutes Baird and Riley exchanged passes before Baird thrashed a rising shot goalwards and Reguero took no chances, tipping the ball over for a corner.

Inverness went one better though as Tudur-Jones, Raven and Foran passed the ball around the Dundee defence before Jones unleashed one of his now trademark distance shots from twenty eight yards, hammering a low curling shot beyond the outstretched arms of veteran keeper Rab Douglas.  Twenty four minutes gone and Inverness were back on the ascendency and saw out the game comfortably to the break.

Half Time 2-1

McKay was at it again within three minutes of the restart.  He does like a goal does our Billy, this time while nonchalantly lying on his side, chipping the ball home off the arse of a defender after being played in on goal, courtesy of a loose Davidson backpass which Douglas did his best to keep away from goal.

Dundee were almost down and out, but not before Riley and McAlister had teed up Baird who flashed a low shot just wide, and that was about their last piece of resistance.

Andy Shinnie should have scored the fourth when put through after an exquisite pass from Jones, but Douglas palmed away his curler from the edge of the box and it skewed agonisingly the wrong side of the post.  He would not be denied however, and with twenty minutes left Shinnie scored a beauty after being fed into the box by brother Graeme.  He still had a bit of work to do, but he effortlessly coasted past two defenders and thumped a shot across big Rab into the far corner from the left side to put Inverness on easy street.

The scoring should not have ended there though as Shinnie turned provider for Draper, but the big midfielder curled his shot too close to the overworked Douglas to deny the hosts a fifth goal.

Full Time 4-1
This was a pretty comprehensive gubbing from a confident Inverness side who looked as though they could score when they wanted.  McKay does that anyway and notched his eighteenth goal of the season with a superb bit of improvisation and it was good to see Andy Shinnie get back on the goal trail. Tudur-Jones is showing his class now after an inglorious start to the season and his lengthy injury lay off and it really is just a great time to be an Inverness fan.  I doubt it get's much better than this, which is why it must be hard for the players to motivate themselves when only the palindromic 3003 turn out to watch the most entertaining side in the SPL so far.  Shame on you Inverness.
 
The wee man talks to the Long Man after the game.....and Terry Scrooge gives us his views of the proceedings as well
tm4tj MotM:-  A few contenders, easier to say who is not in contention. Aaron Doran seems to be out of sorts these days, not able to get to the byeline often enough, but an honest days work from him and Garry Warren won't be wanting to make more errors of judgement like that one today.  But we can forgive these guys who have done their bit over the last few weeks to lift Inverness into second spot in the SPL, just in time for Xmas.  Plenty of candidates as I said, and Jones, McKay and Foran were superb, but for his close control and excellent link up play from midfield, not to mention a stunning goal, Andy Shinnie get's my vote, although McKay get's a special mention for his laid back approach to goal scoring.
 
Another man worthy of a mention was Dundee keeper Rab Douglas, at 41 still able to perform heroics and he kept the score down with some fantastic saves, but was helpless with the ones that counted and not helped by his tiring defence.


 
22nd Dec 2012 Scottish Premier League Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Inverness C.T. 4 - McKay (pen12, 48), Tudur-Jones (24), A.Shinnie (70) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, G.Shinnie, Warren, Meekings (Cooper 73), Doran (Pepper 87), Draper, Tudur-Jones, A.Shinnie, McKay (Roberts 86), Foran SUBS: Esson, Sutherland, Morrison, Polworth Booked: none Sent Off: none Dundee 1 - Riley (19) TEAM: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, Benedictus, Gallagher, Riley (Conroy 83), Davidson, McBride, McAlister, Nish, Baird (Stewart 65) SUBS: Baird, O'Donnell, Boyle, Toshney, Easton Booked: none Sent Off: none Referee Kevin Clancy Attendance 3003
By Scotty in Reports 2012-13 ·

Inverness CT -V- Dundee - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Team 12 v Team 3
 
 
Team 12 up here this week in the second part of the Dundee double header after last weeks incredible visit to Tannadice that ended four goals each. 
 
With St Mirren defeating Motherwell last night, the opportunity arises for Inverness to regain second spot, but it won't be easy.

It was a stunning match last weekend, United racing into a three goal lead within eight minutes only for Billy McKay to peg them back to three all, big Garry Warren almost won it for us before a dubious penalty scored by Jon Daly made it 4-4 to draw an unbelievable game to a close.




I don't expect anything to be easy this weekend either as Dundee start the battle to avoid the drop, having drawn with Ross County in the Highlands the previous week.

We routed Dundee earlier in the season at Dens Park, but the score possibly flattered us somewhat as Dundee came back strongly before we eased away from them to win comfortably in the end.  Early goals from McKay and Warren set Inverness up for a win, however, who else but Colin Nish pulled one back and Dundee came close to levelling the game before a late flurry saw Andy Shinnie and that chap McKay score again to take the wind out of the Dundee sails.

That fellow McKay seems to be a bit of a goal scorer, it's almost as if he scores when he wants. He notched his twelfth league goal of the season at Tannadice and his sixteenth overall this term.  It was also his sixth game on the trot, not bad for a wee loon written off by most after an injury plagued season last year and low on confidence..  He has won over the Inverness doubters with some vital goals this season and his confidence is now soaring, and that seems to be the difference since last year. His recent run of one, two and three goals per game sounds like a man on form, who would bet against him adding to that total this weekend, but I'm sure Dundee will have done their homework and Billy will be a well marked man now.

Dundee have their own small bundle of joy in the shape of troublesome winger Nicky Riley who is looking better and better as the league develops. He gave us a torrid time in October, always willing to take on his defender and his trickery can produce chances for others, namely Colin 'Nemesis' Nish.



***Latest Team News***

Terry Butcher is hopeful that Santa will bring the signing of contracts to more of his key players with Meekings, the Shinnies and Billy Mckay the wanted men, although they are certainly putting themselves in the shop windows with impressive displays so far.  Unlike last season, Inverness have another clean bill of health apart from King and Hogg.

Dundee's Mark Stewart has returned to full training, but striker Steven Milne misses another game with a stomach injury.  Carl Finnigan, Stephen O'Donnell, Mark Kerr, Brian Easton, Jamie McCluskey and Davide Grassi are all out.

tm4tj Prediction:- We are back to being big favourites to win this one, but we are not as potent when we are expected to coast to victory and as Dundee showed last weekend the battle is well and truly on.  It would not surprise me in the least if we are held to a draw, it would disappoint me though, but we are capable of destroying teams on our day. Let's hope we can continue our points gathering form and take this into the new year.  
:ictscarf:
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

Dundee Utd -V- Inverness CT - Report

To Hell and back
 
Inverness staged a remarkable comeback at Tannadice to almost take all three points in a nail biting four all draw against the Tangerines.  We found ourselves three goals down after an incredible opening eight minutes where bloopers were the order of the day.  Josh Meekings was unfortunate to bundle the ball into his own net after five minutes and Jon Daly scored an equally bizaare goal as he blocked a Graeme Shinnie clearance, the ball rebounding into the net behind a raging Reguero.  It got even worse after eight minutes when Skacel stroked home and the game looked beyond a shell shocked Inverness.  We are, however, made of stern stuff these days and a typical poachers double from Billy McKay gave us hope before half time and then the incredible happened.  McKay scored his hat-trick from the spot and then Garry Warren looked to have won it with a terrific header, four minutes from time, but a hotly disputed penalty saw Daly level the scores and bring the curtain down on a memorable match...........meh, eat yer heart out Derek Adams.
Dundee United were quick out of the blocks at Tannadice and before you could say wow, they were three goals up inside eight minutes.  A speculative long ball to the back post saw Daly slide in to meet it, but he made a hash of it and knocked it square across the six yard box, unfortunately the inrushing marker Josh Meekengs could only hold his head in his hands as the ball cannoned off him into the net behind a stranded Reguero.
It went from bad to worse moments later.  Graeme Shinnie did well to intercept a through ball, but he delayed his clearance until the following striker stuck a leg out as Graeme completed his clearance.  He was waiting for the keeper to come out, wrongly I have to say, and Reguero was waiting for Shinnie to clear it.  Result, comical goal number two and disaster for Inverness.
Number three came about much more clearly.  Skacel was afforded the freedom of the box and he buried the ball low past a stranded and forlorn keeper.  No way back surely!
Incredibly, United could and should have gone five up before Billy Mckay intervened.  Gunning headed harmlessly over when he should have scored, and that was just after Reguero had made a good save, low to his left to deny a Rankin strike.
Finally, Inverness started the game.  Andrew Shinnie drew an excellent save from Cierzniak, tipping his 25 yard effort over the bar.  The fightback had begun.
In the 25th minute, on form striker Billy McKay made an impact nodding in a Foran volley from six yards to reduce the deficit, and astonishingly two minutes later scored with another close range header from a Doran corner.
Half Time 3-2
As in the first half, it was United who came out all guns blazing looking to kill off the visitors and Stuart Armstrong went wide from the edge of the box.  Reguero kept Inverness interested with an instinctive save after a Garry Warren block almost found it's way into the net and as the Spanish keeper kept the ball out, Flood flashed the ball into the side netting.  He was to feel worse soon after as he bundled over Ross Draper to hand Billy McKay the opportunity to complete his hat-trick.  He duly obliged, tucking the ball away with ease.
The game had evened out now and Tudur-Jones tested the keeper with a header.  Inverness amazingly went ahead with barely five minutes left.  Garry Warren met a Graeme Shinnie corner flush on his napper and the ball sped into the back of the net via the base of Cierzniak's left hand post.  The unlikely had happened, Inverness had gone ahead, but could they hold on to that lead.
The answer would be revealed shortly, but not before Reguero once more showed his worth, denying Daly from close range.  However, United would not be denied, although the jury is out on the decision to award the penalty.  Foran adjudged to have committed an offence and Daly putting the resultant spot kick straight down the middle, unfortunately, Reguero had already made his mind up and dived to his left, the ball almost clipping his heels, and that was the goal that ended the scoring at four apiece.
Full Time 4-4
Well well, that was some game.  From the depths of despair to the brink of victory and back to all square again.  Maybe it's a bit of Karma after our cup heroics against County, Derek Adams must have smiled at that one surely.  Billy McKay simply scores when he wants.  He is on fire just now and his treble was poaching at it's best.  We had shot ourselves in the foot with the first couple of goals and it looked like game over at ten past three, but our new found confidence saw us drag ourselves back into contention, and we even had the temerity to take the lead, albeit momentarily before United's last gasp equaliser. 
There's only one MotM here, and it's Billy McKay for giving us something to battle on for.  Scoring three goals anywhere would normally win most games for you, but it takes two to tango, and United deserved their point, so well done to them for playing their part in this memorable game.
Terry Butcher gave a full match analysis after the game, and this is a fantastic tactical insight into how and why Inverness Caledonian Thistle have competed so well this season.
 
15th Dec 2012 Scottish Premier League Tannadice Stadium, Dundee Dundee Utd 4 - Meekings (og.05), Daly (06, pen90), Skacel (08) TEAM: Cierzniak, Watson, McLean, Gunning, Douglas, Armstrong (Gardyne 67), Flood, Rankin, Skacel (Lacny 83), Daly, Russell. SUBS: Banks, Ryan, Millar, Dow, Barrett Booked: Russell (29), McLean (49), Flood (62) Sent Off: none Inverness C.T. 4 - McKay (26, 28. pen.62), Warren (86) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, Warren, Meekings, G.Shinnie, Doran, Draper (Sutherland 78), Tudur Jones, A.Shinnie (Polworth 90+2), McKay (Roberts 90), Foran SUBS: Esson, Morrison, Pepper, Cooper Booked: Doran (45), Foran (90) Sent Off: none Referee John Beaton Attendance 5483
By Scotty in Reports 2012-13 ·

Dundee United -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Tough Task Ahead
 
 
Inverness face one of their toughest examinations in recent weeks with the visit to Tannadice likely to test their resolve, as the rapidly improving Dundee club look to gain revenge for the 4-0 hammering they suffered at Inverness.

That game was a campaign changing one for Inverness.  It kick started our season with our first win and our first clean sheet, with Antonio Reguero starting in place of the injured Ryan Esson, and he has not looked back since as Inverness went on a seven game unbeaten run.

United had struggled to find their form up to that point as well, but strangely enough they have also kicked on from their early season blues and are one of the form teams in the SPL right now with only two defeats in the nine games since we last met.  We are however, thee form team of the moment winning our last four away games including wins at Aderdeen and Celtic, so Tannadice should hold no fears for us.

We have, of course, shaken off our shadows in an undistinguished cup replay in midweek, least said about that the better, although all that matters in the cup is getting through to the next round and we achieved that.  A bitterly cold night was not conducive to silky football and the rough looking pitch was a bit of a leveller as County made us work hard to move on to Killie in the next round.  The good news from that game was that Billy McKay just keeps on scoring with another two excellent strikes, one from the spot, and a full international cap beckons, one might think.

United warmed up for this game with a comfortable derby win over the Dark Blues, scoring three without reply, similar to our cruise against the Hibees.  Watson, Daly and Flood scored the goals for the Arabs and they are now up to seventh in the league on twenty three points, five behind Inverness.
 



***Latest Team News***

No fresh worries for Inverness, only good news.  Nick Ross is ready to get back into action and could feature on the bench.  Aaron Doran is hoping for a contract extension and has stated his preference to remain with Inverness and contract talks have begun with the core of the squad in readiness for another season.  Hogg and King remain sidelined.

Dundee United defender Sean Dillon may not feature after missing recent matches with a thigh injury.  Gavin Gunning and Brian McLean are likely to continue in central defence should Dillon fail to make it.  Houston is still searching for his own contract at United, nothing forthcoming yet.  
tm4tj Prediction:- This one could go either way, both sides on the up and both capable of destroying the opposition on their day.  I would take a point right now and we might have to settle for a scoring draw, we can't be vexed at that surely.
 
:ictscarf:
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

Inverness CT -V- Ross County - ScCup replay

The Highlands are still ours.
 
Inverness skated into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at a frozen Caledonian Stadium and kept Ross County in their shadows............just.  Freezing conditions ruled out any chance of silky football and County rolled their sleeves up and rattled the Inverness cage, but the home defence are more resilient than they were a few months ago and kept the busy Staggies players at bay, using anything they could to keep the ball out and County fell just short in their attempt to cause a cup shock.
A Billy McKay double, the first from the penalty spot, overshadowed a fine lob from Ian Vigurs to send Inverness down to Ayrshire in February to meet Kilmarnock in the fifth round.  Brass monkeys were few and far between as the game deteriorated into a kick and rush affair, not pretty, but effective from an Inverness point of view although the 4135 fans were kept on edge as County tried valliantly to take the game to extra-time but three minutes of injury time tonight could not reproduce the drama of the first game and Craig Thomson brought the game to a close with the hosts ahead by the odd goal in three.

 
11th Dec 2012 Scottish Cup Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Inverness C.T. 2 - McKay (pen.9, 54) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, G.Shinnie, Tudur-Jones, Warren, McKay (Roberts 88), Draper, Foran, A.Shinnie (Sutherland 75), Meekings, Doran SUBS: Esson, Polworth, Cooper Booked: Draper (72), Foran (90) Sent Off: none Ross County 1 - Vigurs (41) TEAM: Brown, Fitzpatrick, Boyd, Tokely (Munro 46), Kettlewell, McMenamin, Brittain, Vigurs, Quinn (Ross 78), Kovacevic, Fotheringham (Cooper 65) SUBS: Fraser, Glen Booked: Vigurs (30), Fotheringham (48), Kettlewell (92) Sent Off: none Referee Craig Thomson Attendance 4135
By Scotty in Reports 2012-13 ·

Inverness CT -V- Ross County - Cup Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Mr Motivator is at it again
 
 
It could be the world face gurning championships in Inverness as Derek Adams and his shadows return to the Pride of the Highlands dome for the next gripping installment of the Highland derby.  Derek was not best pleased after his side conceded a later than late goal to take this tie back to Inverness for another tussle on the turf and his ungracious bitterness was evident as he slapped hands and turned away from the cameras uttering a few uncomplimentary remarks in the process, his contorted face removing the smile that lit up his fizogg only moments earlier. Seething.

Only ten days after that dramatic encounter in Dingwall, both clubs have it all to do again, the prize for the victor, a lengthy trip to Kilmarnock in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. If it's half as enthralling as the last game, then it will be well worth the paltry admission price of £15.  It was worth that alone to see Mr Adams face at the final whistle last time out and a similar expression would be a reasonable sign that things have gone well for the home side.

As mentioned previously, it's not just another game.  It's a cup tie, local derby, revenge mission, marker for the season and bragging rights all rolled into one where the winners holds their heads high and the losers regroup for another season without a cup run and their fans take the flak for another few weeks.


Ginger Jaggy is brave enough to set the scene for the joust and he reveals all in his preview........

County Cup Cracker Part Two

Tuesday sees part two of the County cup cracker after the dramatic draw at Victoria Park. It is very difficult to say what is going to happen in this game after the drama that ensued over a week ago. Since the 1st of December Caley Thistle has climbed to new heights getting to second in the SPL to be Celtics direct challenge at the moment. Remarkably the Caley Jags are the only other team looking at claiming a league and cup treble. But to keep the dream alive we have to dispose of our biggest rivals in this replay.

Since the demise of the Old Firm derby in the SPL, the Highland derby has taken centre stage to add to a number of derbies the SPL has gained. The first ever SPL derby match at the Caledonian stadium was a major success with a great energy, intensity and atmosphere. The game was filled with drama and goals for each side in a very competitive and exciting match. The honours though remained in Inverness with the club from Dingwall retreating back across the Kessock Bridge without anything to show for their second half pressure. But if that game was exciting in Inverness then the cup match at the new Victoria Park (Global Energy Stadium) was the tie of the round.

Arbroath’s equaliser at Parkhead was a surprise and the Edinburgh derby showed all the determination and passion a derby brings but the Highland cup tie brought all that and more. Take away the dramatic stoppage time and there was still cracking goals and controversial moments to make it one of the best Highland derbies of all time. The Caley Thistle goal may have only been an equaliser but it felt like a victory, and that will produce the momentum going into the replay.

This is a derby so no result is certain but on paper there can only be one winner. ICT have been a revelation on the pitch this season only tasting defeat on three occasions against only two sides. The football has been remarkable and some results have been out of this world. ICT have really found some gems but as a team every player has contributed, from the bigger names like the Shinnie brothers and Billy Mackay to the unheralded players like David Raven and his back 5 counterparts.

County on the other hand have been solid if unspectacular this season. Dundee looked to be the poorest team in the league so unless something dramatic happens or Dundee spends lots in January to strengthen, then County should be comfortable enough to continue hostilities into next season. They have been pretty solid on the large part this season and have picked up a few impressive results along the way but their Achilles heel this season has been a lack of goals apart from a hectic flurry at St Mirren where they scored four but still lost. In fact County sit 10th with a meagre return of 19 goals so far this campaign. The first tie ended 3-3 with two of the Staggies goals having some luck attached to them. Reguero was not put into action often enough during a half where he had the low winters sun in his eyes.  No such issues tonight.

So part two is now upon us and if this tie is anything like the original, everyone is going to be warmed up on what is likely to be a cold evening. The added clause with this tie is that a last minute equaliser will now be enough; the game has to be decided on the night so we may have even more drama of extra time and penalties. For the supporters this game doesn’t need any introduction but if some of you reading this haven’t quite got the derby excitement yet, then I suggest listening to the great ICT fans motivator Derek Adams.

To all at the game MAKE SOME NOISE AND ROAR ICT INTO THE 5TH ROUND. :ictscarf:

***Latest Team News***

Inverness have no fresh injury worries despite Richie Foran trying his best to get injured last weekend.  He is, however, made of stern stuff and will be fit to take his place in the side.  Philip Roberts returns to the squad and is available for selection after a weekend in London for personal reasons and after extending his loan deal from Arsenal until the summer.  Nick Ross (shoulder) and Simon King (ankle) are closer to a comeback than Chris Hogg, who remains out with a knee injury.

Ross County defender Mihael Kovacevic has recovered from illness after being taken off in the loss at Motherwell.  Russell Duncan, Mark Corcoran, Sam Morrow and Martin Scott remain injured.
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

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