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Inverness CT -V- Hibernian - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
ICT look to overhaul high flying Hibees
Contributions from: Scotty, TM4TJ, Gringo Jnr
 
Hibs are the visitors this weekend as Inverness look to continue their recent good form, hoping for a home victory to consolidate their SPL position with the possibility of moving back to second place.  On the other hand, defeat could see us drop back to sixth, it's that tight.

If you said that you were off to watch second versus third, nobody would have batted an eyelid.  But if you added that it was Inverness against Hibernian, then a few eyebrows might have been raised.  What a change in fortunes for both clubs considering the trials and tribulations of last season, where the Easter Road club were courting relegation for most of the season before eventually seeing off doomed Dunfermline in a relegation six-pointer.  Inverness were not setting the heather on fire either, but eventually steered clear of the battle whilst finishing in the bottom six again.

Last weekend, a break from the rigours of the SPL saw differing fortunes.  Hibs erased part of the memory of their Cup Final thrashing they received at the hands of bitter rivals Hearts.  It was only 1-0, but it was a bitter sweet revenge for the Leith side who were humbled at Hampden last May.  For Inverness, the second Highland derby was a slow burner, but it exploded into life and reached a thrilling climax when the Caley Jags came back from the dead to snatch a draw in a see-saw encounter, low on technical quality, but high on drama and human contortionism. There was as much interest in the antics of Derek Adams as there was in the result of the match but after 95 minutes, we have it all to do again for the right to visit Kilmarnock in the fifth round.
 
Today (Friday), it was announced that Terry Butcher had been named as Manager of the Month for November. A run that included away victories at Kilmarnock, Celtic and Aberdeen and a home draw with Hearts made him a shoe-in (we wont mention Motherwell!). Billy McKay and Aaron Doran also received the player and young player awards for November making it a clean sweep for the Caley Jags. McKay has scored 8 SPL goals so far this season, with 4 of them coming in the 5 games in November. Doran has only scored 1 SPL goal this season (against County) but is joint top in the SPL with 5 assists and is becoming a more and more important player in the ICT team with every passing week. Hard to believe he is still only 21, he seems to have been around for longer and is only two games away from making his 50th appearance for the club !!
 
Hibernian may well be without the SPL's leading goal-scorer, Leigh Griffiths, who sustained an ankle injury in their Scottish Cup fixture at Easter Road last week. Billy McKay, who scored his fourth goal in three games for Inverness last weekend, will have a difficult task in beating Hibs 'keeper Ben Williams, although he's certainly not lacking in confidence during a fantastic run of form. Andrew Shinnie, without a goal in five games (or in front of the home crowd in over two months), will be looking to end his personal drought in an effort to thrust Inverness back into second spot.

Having met on 25 previous occasions in all competitions, there has only ever been one goalless encounter which occurred way back in August 2006. In total, Caley Thistle and Hibs have scored 58 goals and conceded 49 in a mere 16 games this season so we are hoping for plenty of goal mouth action and quality counter-attacking football from both teams, each of whom will both be hungry to establish themselves as Celtic's main rivals for the 2012/13 SPL title.

But it's three points that are up for grabs on Saturday, something that Hibs took a long time to do in Inverness.  It was ten games before Hibs would win in the Highlands, a smash and grab affair in July 2011 when bad boy Garry O'Connor scored a stoppage time winner after Inverness spurned a hatful of guilt edged chances.

The first encounter this season ended all square after Hibs blew a two goal lead only for Inverness to level the game with goals from Connor Pepper and a late Richie Foran strike. Eoin Doyle had somewhat fortuitously opened the scoring knocking in a rebound, but there was nothing wrong with David Wotherspoon's spectacular effort from 25 yards. Overall a draw was near enough, but Hibs would rue too many first half misses and Inverness finished strongly in the capital for the second time, having completed a similar comeback against Hearts.
By Scotty in Previews 2012-13 ·

Ross County -V- Inverness CT - ScCup

Late drama at Shadows gig
Inverness forced a dramatic last gasp equaliser which abruptly wiped the grin off a disgruntled Derek Adams' dial, and it had appeared only a minute earlier. This was the finish to end all finishes as Richie Foran drove home the ball with the last kick of the game to bring Adams to the verge of tears.
It was a bright sunny day for the early kick off and the low sun would play a part in the action as the game reached a crescendo. The early action was a bit hectic with Inverness controlling the flow of the game without being too creative and County were chasing shadows for most of the first half.
Billy McKay broke the deadlock with a superb volley after Foran nodded a ball back across goal. Rocco Quinn returned the compliment with an equally impressive strike then some bizarre goals swung the game in favour of the Dingwall side. Richie Foran appeared to glance a McKay shot with his face, wrong footing Mark Brown to put the visitors ahead once more. A huge deflection off David Raven saw an Ian Vigurs shot loop high over a stranded Reguero and the crazy sequence continued as a Richard Brittain free kick found it's way into the net after everyone missed it in the box, including Reguero. Game over you would have thought, Derek Adams certainly did, but after a thunderous forty yard strike by Owain Tudur-Jones was pushed away, the resulting corner saw Foran snatch a deserved leveller as he turned a Meekings header into the net to send the Caley Jags fans into hysterics.
It was a frenetic opening half hour with neither side creating much although Inverness had the upper hand. That would change after half an hour whem Billy McKay scored a superb opener. Doran's free kick was headed back across goal by captain marvel Richie Foran and McKay swivelled some fifteen yards out to volley a beauty behind Mark Brown high into the net off his right hand post.
It looked at this point that Inverness would sweep County aside but they almost equalised near half time when a Brittain free kick rattled Reguero's post with the keeper ensuring the ball stayed out. The loose ball found Vigurs slamming a shot goalward but it was brilliantly blocked on the line and Inverness broke swiftly to the other end. McKay had rounded Brown but his shot from a tight angle was also blocked on the line. Foran headed the corner just wide as the half ended with a flourish. It would be a taster of what was to come in the second period.
Half Time 0-1
Less than five minutes into the second half and County drew level with a stunning goal of their own. Kovasevic was afforded too much space on the right and as he rolled the ball across the edge of the box, Quinn matched McKay's effort to curl the ball across Reguero into the roof of the net from twenty yards.
County then looked the more likely to go on and win the game as the Inverness midfield disappeared and the Staggies new found belief saw them pressure the visiting defence, but they held firm with some frantic defending.
A rare foray forward saw Andy Shinnie turn sharply in the box but Brown saved well low to his left as Inverness started to come to grips with the game again and when McKay tried a shot from distance, part of Richie Foran diverted the ball beyond a stranded Brown, from a suspiciously offside position, although Ross Tokely pulling Richie back could have seen a penalty given.
Inverness were back on top now and looked likely to stretch their lead but it was the home side who threw a spanner in the works when Vigurs strolled forward some thirty yards out. He tried a long distance shot which Raven tried to block but all he succeeded in doing was to loop the ball high over the outstretched Reguero and into the net.
If you thought that one was hard to take, the next one was even tougher. Vigurs was handed a free kick after a soft Raven challenge and Brittain drove a low curling ball into the six yard box. It's one of those ones where everybody is frightened to touch the ball and as nobody appeared to, it ended up in the back of the net. That cheered up Mr Adams, but his grin was swiftly removed a minute or so later.
Inverness surged forward one last time and a vicious Jones thunderbolt from nigh on forty yards saw Brown struggle to keep the swerving ball out, and from the corner that followed, Meekings header landed near Foran and he scooped the ball goalwards. Nobody is sure who scored it, Roberts might be brave enough to try and claim it, and the elation drained rapidly from Derek's face as the game was over.
Full Time 3-3
Not the most technically brilliant game, but it was accepted cup tie fare and two sensational goals a bit of controversy, a one man pitch invasion, flares and a greetin faced git just made my day. You couldn't write this........oh well someone has to and the dramatic end to the game just rounded off a hectic cup tie with it all to do again in the replay at Inverness.
A draw was a fair reflection on the game and if the replay is half as enthralling then it will be worth watching.
tm4tj MotM is going to Richie Foran who cropped up in the right places at the right time and boy, did he enjoy those goals.
 
1st Dec 2012, Scottish Cup, Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall
Ross County: 3 - Quinn (49), Vigurs (85), Brittain (90+3)
TEAM: Brown, Kovacevic, Tokely, Boyd, Fitzpatrick, Brittain, Kettlewell (Fotheringham 81), Vigurs, Quinn, Morrow (Ross 78), Glen
SUBS: Fraser, Munro, Cooper
Booked: none
Sent Off: none
Inverness C.T.: 3 - McKay (30), Foran (74, 90+5)
TEAM: Reguero, Raven, Warren, Meekings, G.Shinnie, A.Shinnie, Draper, Tudur-Jones, Doran, McKay, Foran
SUBS: Esson, Sutherland, Pepper, Roberts, Cooper
Booked: Draper (80), A.Shinnie (90)
Sent Off: none
Referee: Craig Thomson
Attendance: 5077
By tm4tj in Reports 2012-13 ·

Ross County -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Shadowlands

Its off to Shadowland this weekend for the 12:15 Scottish Cup Highland derby, the first encounter in the cup between these two clubs.

Inverness hope to knock County out in the shadow boxing this Saturday. Forever in our shadows has been trending since the first SPL derby when Inverness upstaged SPL virgins Ross County to take the points and leave The Staggies in our shadows once more.

Inverness are not newcomers to playing Scottish Cup football in Dingwall. The Caledonian Stadium upgrade work was well underway in January 2005 and the tie against St Johnstone was switched to Victoria Park Dingwall in what was the then manager Craig Brewster's first playing appearance for his new club. The game was almost called off after torrential rain and sleet fell throughout, but it just escaped the weather and Inverness edged out St Johnstone with Golabek heading the winner after 75 minutes, the ground resembling a Xmas card scene long before the end.

2021 people were at that game, I imagine there will be a somewhat much bigger crowd for this one with both clubs now plying their trade in the SPL.

There has been three cup games played between the clubs. Two Challenge Cup ties both being played in Inverness and both finishing 1-0 to the Caley Jags. The third cup game was a League Cup fixture at Victoria Park in August 2004. A Barry Wilson corner was met by the head of who else, but Ross Tokely and that was enough for Inverness to advance to the next round. 3315 were at that game where County had players like John Rankin and Don Cowie in their side. Inverness were blessed with Mark Brown, Ross Tokely, Grant Munro, Russell Duncan and Michael Fraser ................ Where are they now?

The most recent derby was the first ever SPL game between the two sides where Inverness eventually ran out 3-1 winners in a storming encounter. Early goals from Ross Draper and Richie Foran put Inverness in the driving seat before Ian Vigurs reduced the leeway with a well struck free kick. A tremendous volley from Aaron Doran settled the match near the end and the TV companies were pretty pleased with the offering from both clubs.

This draw has already whetted the appetite of both sets of supporters with County fans hoping for revenge for the SPL encounter and Inverness fans looking to keep County in their shadows.

League form would tell you that Inverness would be firm favourites to progress in this competition. However, there are a few stumbling blocks to that notion. It is a derby, the fiercest rivalry in the game. It is a chance for County to gain revenge on Inverness for that first SPL derby. It is also a great opportunity for ex-Inverness players to prove a point. It is being played in Dingwall, a narrow pitch where midfield congestion is the order of the day and free space is at a premium. The Staggies will have a fair advantage in the stands, the twelfth man. We don't do favourites, and lastly, they must be sick of the taunting that has gone on since the 5th of October, almost two months of shadow baiting.

Our form away from Inverness has been startlingly good. We have won our last four away games including visits to Parkhead and Pittodrie. We have scored a goal in every game this season, our defence is getting to know each other and Billy McKay is turning into a top poacher.

County have been in indifferent form, only one win in their last six games, at home to Aberdeen, but there are three draws in that sequence. Eight goals in eight games for County in Dingwall and you can see why they are 10th in the table, but that is countered by the fact that they have only lost eight goals as well.

Inverness legend Ross Tokely has expressed his displeasure at the booing he received from a small section of the Inverness support. Let's hope there's not a repeat of this, but he can't expect Inverness fans to be cheering him on with vigour as he now plays for our local rivals.........unless he gets his header under the bar this time. Still, once a legend, always a legend and I'm sure many fans will wish him and the other defectors well, just not this weekend.

***Latest Team News***

Ross Draper came through his return game at Aberdeen without any adverse reaction. Antonio Reguero will surely retain the keepers jersey with Ryan Esson closing in on full fitness. Hogg, King and Ross are all out long term at the moment.

Ross County look to be going into this game with Mark Brown as their number 1 after Michael Fraser was relieved of his duties recently. Grant Munro is a doubt for County, as is Sam Morrow, both players being replaced at half time against St Mirren. Russell Duncan and Mark Corcoran are yet to feature after injury.



tm4tj Prediction:- It's a cup game and anything goes. Our great SPL form counts for nothing in the heat of a derby and the added interest of the cup. On paper we should be favourites but the game is not played on paper and you can be assured that there will be some tasty tackles flying in on the cramped Dingwall pitch. All this makes me think that a draw would be a decent result and another healthy cheque will please the accountants of both clubs and my guesstimate is that a replay may be needed to separate these two enemies.

Mon the Caley Jags :ictscarf: :ictscarf:
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

Aberdeen -V- Inverness CT - Report

Inverness take second spot for now.
 
Inverness kept their goals record going as Billy McKay opened the scoring in the 36th minute after a swift counter attack. Josh Magennis levelled one minute into stoppage time at the break courtesy of Chris Clark's injury, when he had to leave the game after half an hour. Aberdeen started the second half on the attack and it was no surprise when Magennis scored his second goal. Out of nothing Gary Warren made it two each from a corner and the game opened out thereafter. Billy McKay edged Inverness ahead inside the last ten minutes after a mistake by Russell Anderson and that ended the scoring.
A damp night in Aberdeen saw these two sides joust for second spot in the SPL, and we had an unusual substitution at half time as referee Alan Muir was replaced by fourth official Craig Charleston for the second half due to injury.
Ross Draper made the bench for this one but there were no changes on the park for Inverness with Phillip Roberts retaining his place in the starting eleven. Ryan Esson did not join Draper on the bench and Reguero continued in goal.
The Dons were forced into two changes to their starting XI with Rory Fallon and Joe Shaughnessy in for the injured Isaac Osbourne with Cammy Smith making the bench.
Here's Proctor with a report .......
Last season fans of both Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Aberdeen would laugh if you told them that 4 months into the campaign they would be playing a match where either side could go top of the SPL. That is exactly what happened at a rainy Pittodrie last night.
The Caley Jags looked unimpressive early on. Aberdeen’s revered midfield created a number of chances which were well saved by Spaniard Antonio Reguero.
It could be argued that play in the first half was hampered by a number of fouls. ICT looked at their best from the resulting set pieces. Aberdeen’s Chris Clark was cautioned for a foul on Aaron Doran. Clark wouldn’t be on the pitch much longer, several minutes later the midfielder was stretchered off and replaced by Jamie Masson.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 35th minute with a great run by Andrew Shinnie and Richie Foran. The pair sprinted down the right flank and Foran crossed the ball into the box where Billy McKay knocked the ball past Jamie Langfield with a low tap similar to the one he scored at Parkhead at the weekend.
For the next ten minutes Inverness were joint top of the SPL and the volatile Dons fans were getting frustrated. The reds had a penalty claim turned down when Rory Fallon looked to be fumbled.
Shortly afterwards Aberdeen pulled level when some fancy footwork by former ICT player Jonny Hayes saw him pass to Josh Magennis who finished with ease. The half time whistle went shortly after.
There was an unusual change in personnel at half time as a tannoy announcement was sent out asking for another match official. The call was answered by Craig Charleston.
Aberdeen seemed hungry and determined to take the lead after the restart. Reguero had to tip a header from Joe Shaughnessy over the bar. Josh Magennis would pop up again to grab the Dons second shortly after when he knocked the ball over Reguero while the keeper was on the ground.
Much like in the second half, ICT came into life following set-pieces. It would be a corner that would get Inverness back into the game. Aaron Doran crossed the ball into the box where Gary Warren headed it in to draw level.
At 2 all the game became rather lively with some great end to end football. Jonny Hayes came close to netting for the Dons with a tremendous run which resulted in his shot going wide of the left post while Richie Foran struggled to get on the end of an Andrew Shinnie cross. The certainly looked more reflective of a top of the table clash.
Visiting fans would have to wait till the 81st minute to see any of the chances created by ICT converted into goals. Billy McKay capitalised on the Dons inability to deal with a David Raven long ball from the half way line. McKay placed the ball past the blundering Aberdeen keeper for his 9th goal of the season and third in a week. The fans aptly chanted that the young international scores when he wants.
The home fans drifted away into the bitter north east night and the travelling band of jubilant ICT supporters were riled up by Terry Butcher who could head up the A96 knowing his side were joint top of the SPL.
 
 
27th Nov 2012
Scottish Premier League
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
2 - Magennis (45, 50) TEAM: Langfield, Anderson, Reynolds, Considine, Magennis, Shaughnessy, Clark (Masson 29 (Smith 79)), McGinn, Hayes (McManus 87), Fallon, Vernon SUBS: Ja.Brown, Jo.Brown, Murray, O'Neill Booked: Clark (25), Magennis (45), Vernon (73) Sent Off: none
Inverness C.T.
3 - McKay (36, 82), Warren (58) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, Meekings, Warren, G.Shinnie, Tudur-Jones, Foran, Doran, A.Shinnie, Roberts (Draper 59), McKay SUBS: Mathieson, Oswell, Morrison, Polworth, Pepper, Cooper Booked: Warren (42) Sent Off: none
Referee
Alan Muir
Attendance
9193
By Scotty in Reports 2012-13 ·

Aberdeen -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Defence versus attack at the top of the table


A96 duty this Tuesday night for a 19:45 kick off at Pittodrie Stadium, home of the once famous Aberdeen Football Club.

There has been a resurgence this season though, and a Jonny Hayes inspired Dons find themselves sitting just one point behind Celtic in second spot with 24 points. We are doing not so bad ourselves, handily placed just two points behind Aberdeen.

Both clubs recorded excellent away wins last weekend. The Dons upstaging high flying Hibernian after Niall McGinn scored from a Hayes cross and Inverness recording their first SPL win at Parkhead thanks to a Billy McKay goal after good work by Phillip Roberts.

Goals have been at a premium in Aberdeen. Only seven goals in seven games for the Dons, that's a goal a game, but less than that have been scored by the opposition, a meagre six goals against shows what the Dons new found success is built upon. In our favour, we have averaged two goals per game on our travels, but conceded twelve in seven contests. Aberdeen have only one loss at home and that was a couple of weeks ago to Celtic, with four draws and two wins. Inverness only show one away defeat at the hands of our nemesis, Motherwell, and three wins and three draws.

The table is congested from first right down to the relegation spot before any significant gap is shown where Dundee are finding it difficult despite their recent relative successes. A win for any club could see them leap a few places in the league, similarly defeat can see you drop by three or four places. There is no margin for error this season.

***Latest Team News***

Inverness midfielder Ross Draper has been back training along with keeper Ryan Esson but neither player will be thrust into action unnecessarily ahead of the derby cup game at Dingwall next weekend. Nick Ross and Simon King are nearing returns, but Chris Hogg remains out and you can read the update on his road to recovery blog at http://chrishoggthefightback.blogspot.co.uk/

Aberdeen's Isaac Osbourne has been added to the injury list, and along with Clark Robertson, Ryan Fraser and Gavin Rae are unlikely to feature. Gary Naysmith, Stephen Hughes, Ryan Jack and Rob Milsom are all sidelined through injury.

tm4tj Prediction:- Predicting the unpredictable is not easy as has been demonstrated by our last two results, but this one has a more familiar ring to it and I am looking for us to continue our scoring streak and the possibility of taking a point looks like the best option, so that's a scoring draw for me, 1-1.

Mon the Caley Jags
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

Celtic -V- Inverness CT - Report

Champions League Yer Havin a Laugh

Inverness humbled Scotland's Champions League participants when Irish striker Billy McKay scored the winner at a less than capacity Parkhead as a Green Brigade strike curtailed the attendance.

No one could have predicted the outcome of this one after last weeks dismal showing by Inverness, but they caught Celtic on the back of their European hangover to stun the Hoops and probably their own fans to take all three points North.

How did we do it?


We have the perfect analogy from our resident doctor of psychology in answer to this post from NoIInTeam, I think it defines our position in the SPL nicely.

After last season I feel that this season is like going back with a boring girlfriend after she has cheated on you with your best mate, to find she has learned a thing or two and is suddenly more exciting and adventurous.

Some boyfriends realise they have to get over it quickly or the relationship is doomed, some feel that the girlfriend has to suffer just a little bit more before they can trust again.

With that in mind I think the doubters should be cut some slack. I am going to give them until December 31st to stop greeting every time she looks in the general direction of another man then if they still feel the same they can sod off and watch County.

Dr Johndo replied:-

Ah grasshopper - the "girlfriend" of last season didn't look after herself. She put on a bit of weight, wore dowdy clothes and became a bit of a dull, plain Jane. She got so infuriating and boring, especially on a match day, that you often slept in the spare bed. Nobody else would look at her twice and she basically didn't turn anybody on. Her moods changed from minute to minute but yet she still thought that she was doing OK and stubbornly resisted change. Then this season she sits down and takes stock of her life and talks to a psychologically minded wizard from Chorley. She accepts that she has flaws and has to improve. She wants to go abroad to bronze herself but as money is tight she spends a few weeks shopping in the Primarks of Englandshire and is also able to grab a wee bit of Spanish sunshine. She goes on a diet, puts on a slap of make-up and gets her hair done. She slowly gains confidence and men in the street start noticing her again, passing positive comments and the wolf whistling increases. She simply becomes consistent and relaxed in her mood. She sticks to the same shampoo, the same perfume and the same shape and looks. Sure she has the odd day off, usually once a mouth, but who doesn't !! There are days like yesterday when half of the Highlands would jump into bed with her. She has come alive again but although she will strut her stuff she will remain loyal and will not stray.

Many doubted that she could change and she had got herself in a rut. But most could see the undoubted potential and remember the beautiful girl in her hey day. It was always there under the skin and just needed some minor alterations. And who knows - she may well attract the punters from the Dark Side instead of watching them slump wearily into the South Kessock night.

Make your own mind up.....Johndo.......Doctor, patient or genius.

What happened during the game I hear you ask?

Well, Celtic huffed and puffed in the fist half but could not blow the house down. After the break both sides showed a bit more attacking endeavour, but with Celtic misfiring Inverness struck the killer blow when McKay guided Roberts cross beyond Forster from six yards.

Billy McKay challenged for a high ball in the heart of the Celtic half, and when the ball was knocked back, Doran picked up the loose ball in midfield and drove at the heart of the home defence. As he neared the penalty box he slipped the ball wide right to young Phillip Roberts who in turn drove into the box chased by Mulgrew and Miku. He executed a perfect step over/drag back and then laid the ball into the path of McKay who had continued his run into the box and when the ball arrived he found himself in so much space the Celtic defence were claiming for offside as he diverted the ball into the net for that historic first SPL win in the East End. Nowhere near off side as Mulgrew and Miku scored a perfect ten for their synchronised sliding on their arse demonstration and inadvertently played McKay onside by a few yards. Comedy Gold.

Check out the pairs synchronised arse sliding..........

Celtic did strive to get back on level terms but scorned more chances as Reguero held firm after last weeks limp efforts. The back line restricted Celtic to snatching at half chances although Warren almost helped them out by re-routing a cross onto his own post before nonchalantly flicking the rebound behind for a corner whilst lying on the deck.

However, the best chance of the match fell to Doran after a swift break out from Inverness. McKay rattled the underside of the crossbar with Forster beaten, unfortunately by the time Doran gathered the ball and shot, Ambrose made a miraculous sliding block to deny Inverness a certain second goal.

Inverness saw out the game and claimed that historic triumph at Parkhead, their first SPL win, clean sheet and three points, a fantastic achievement considering the hammering they took last week. It appears that not only do Inverness own the Highlands, they are clearly starting to take over the rest of Scotland having defeated both Glasgow clubs in recent weeks. Mind you, one of them only play in the third division.

Terry Butcher was pretty pleased with his day out and the Auchterarder chippie will be busy on the way home.

The Immortal Howden Ender MotM award goes to Antonio Reguero. He could have been shaky after the end of Well game but he didn't show it. Celtics shooting gave him a helping hand but he also made 2-3 great saves although he does love to showboat. But to me it was his energy that impressed me and he always looked to play a quick, simple ball. Foran and Warren were also in the thick of it but an overall great team performance.
 
24th Nov 2012 Scottish Premier League Celtic Park, Glasgow Celtic 0 - TEAM: Forster, Lustig, Ambrose, Mulgrew, Matthews (Brown 69), Commons, Wanyama, Kayal, Samaras, Watt (McCourt 65), Hooper (Nouioui 76) SUBS: Zaluska, Miku, Chalmers, McGeouch Booked: Samaras (33), Kayal (41) Sent Off: none Inverness C.T. 1 - McKay (64) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, Meekings, Warren, G.Shinnie, Tudur-Jones, Foran, Doran, A.Shinnie, Roberts (Pepper 90), McKay (Sutherland 84) SUBS: Mathieson, Oswell, Morrison, Polworth, Cooper Booked: Roberts (67), Foran (79) Sent Off: none Referee Calum Murray Attendance 44379
By Scotty in Reports 2012-13 ·

Celtic -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Back to underdogs



Inverness travel to Glasgow on Saturday to face Champions League contenders Celtic at Parkhead.

After last weeks thrashing at the hands of a rampant Motherwell, Inverness return to the more familiar status of underdog. It was a bad day at the office last weekend as Motherwell brought Inverness' unbeaten run to an abrupt halt by capitalising on a lacklustre performance from the Highlanders who would not have looked out of place on the training ground. A similar session tomorrow could well see more records broken, however Terry Butcher will have other ideas and I'm sure the players will know where they stand.

It will be a new experience for some of our squad, never having played at Parkhead before, but the recent winning visit to Ibrox will stand them in good stead for the challenge ahead.

Our record at Parkhead is not the best, February eighth excepted. Other than that legendary cup win, we have only ever taken one point away from there. Our worst result in thirteen SPL games in the East End was a 5-0 hammering, and given last weeks slump against Motherwell then it's not looking too promising for us. We are, of course, big underdogs for this one and the element of surprise could work in our favour, but I won't be holding my breath. Anything you take away from Parkhead is a bonus, even keeping the deficit down can be challenging. Celtic have had some lapses at home this season though, dropping points to Hibs and St Johnstone and taking nothing from the visit of Kilmarnock. They did, however, fare slightly better against some Spanish club called Barcelona, a team littered with superstars, but as has been shown, their return to domestic football after midweek games seems to throw Celtic off kilter and therein lies our best chance of upsetting the odds.

Ross Draper was sadly missed against the Well and I'm afraid he is out again still suffering from an ankle knock he suffered against Killie. Gavin Morrison was included from the start last week, but it was a difficult game to judge him on as nobody turned up to play leaving him struggling to cope along with the rest of the midfield. Phillip Roberts was rested after a promising start to his Inverness career, but he could come back into contention given the inept display against Well. Reguero made a couple of gaffes last week but was also responsible for keeping the score in single figures although he will need more help than he got from his back four if we want to take something from the game.

Auldy Boy chats to Terry before the daunting visit to Parkhead



***Latest Team News***

Ross Draper is out again along with the usual suspects, Simon King (ankle), Chris Hogg (knee), Nick Ross (shoulder) and Ryan Esson (hip).

Celtic defenders Thomas Rogne and Kelvin Wilson are suffering from flu, (so were most of the Motherwell team allegedly). Emilio Izaguirre and James Forrest remain out and Joe Ledley is a doubt with a groin injury. Scott Brown is down to be in the squad despite his ongoing hip injury.

tm4tj Prediction:- I don't believe we are capable of upsetting the odds here, but I would be happy with an improved performance from the shambles of the Motherwell fiasco. A few players will be out to prove a point, and a point would be much appreciated. That might be our best hope, although we have upset the applecart before and we are more dangerous when our backs are against the wall. I would bite your arm off if you offered me a point before the game, it may be too much for us though so let's just keep the goal difference down to a minimum. Predicting an ICT result is like trying to win the lottery, but I am going for a 3-0 defeat to end our run of scoring in every game this season, whilst hoping for a return to playing football and snatching a point in a scoring draw.


By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

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