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Inverness CT -V- Dundee - Preview

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Dundee Preview Dec 26th 2009
ICT will be keen for a bumper Boxing Day as Dundee pay their first visit to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium since 2005. Dundee were relegated from the SPL that summer; they come into this clash with a decisive seven point lead at the top, and the Dark Blues are now twelve points better off than Inverness.
Terry Butcher and his side will be desperate for revenge after the defeat in the ALBA Cup final, where Jocky Scott’s side came from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2.
Since that win, Dundee have been in exhilarating form, winning each of their four matches, and they have lost only one league game so far this season. Caley Thistle, in contrast, have been consistent only in their inconsistency, but have won their last three matches at Fortress Longman. As regards promotion aspirations, a failure to defeat the league leaders on Saturday surely condemns Inverness to another season in the first division. TEAM NEWS INVERNESS The home side have no new injury concerns, but Stuart Golabek (hamstring), Ross Tokely (broken hand) and Jamie Duff (knee) all remain unavailable. Dougie Imrie, Russell Duncan and Eric Odhiambo, among others, will be pushing for a recall to the starting lineup after the goalless draw at Dunfermline last time out. Likely lineup: Ryan Esson – David Proctor, Nauris Bulvitis, Grant Munro, Lionel Djebi-Zadi – Jonny Hayes, Stuart Duff, Lee Cox, Richie Foran – Danni Sanchez, Adam Rooney DUNDEE The visitors welcomed back Maros Klimpl from injury last week, and the Slovak may push his way back into centre midfield. Casualties include Tony Bullock (knee), David Cowan (groin), Paul McHale (hip) and Sean Higgins (knee). Considering his side’s recent run of wins, Jocky Scott is likely to stick with the side that beat Morton at Dens Park last week. Likely lineup: Robert Douglas – Eddie Malone, Jim Lauchlan, Gary MacKenzie, Eric Paton – Gary Harkins, Richie Hart, Brian Kerr, Craig Forsyth – Leigh Griffiths, Colin McMenamin PREVIOUS MEETINGS The sides have met nine times previously, with Dundee leading 4-2 in wins (5-2 if you include shootouts). In addition to the ALBA Cup final, the two sides met on league business at Dens Park in August, with Danni Sanchez and Lee Cox on target for ICT in a 2-2 draw. The teams met four times in the SPL in 2004/05, with Inverness winning both home matches (2-1 and 3-2) with Dundee registering a 3-1 win at Dens Park in between. The penultimate match of that season saw Liam Fox nick a late equalizer, denying Dundee three points that would have seen them stay up. BLAST FROM THE PAST Two ex-ICT players are likely to feature for Dundee – Richie Hart and Brian Kerr. Former Hibs and Motherwell man Kerr spent the second half of last season at the club, but turned down the chance to stay, instead moving to Dundee in the summer. Hart, in contrast, spent six seasons with us before falling out of favour following some…er…off-the-field antics. He left for Ross County in 2008 and joined Dundee in the summer of 2009. THE HISLOPSOFFSIDE AGAIN PREDICTION Inverness have enough quality to halt Dundee’s winning run, but do they have enough backbone? I’m not sure that there’s enough belief in the Caley Thistle lineup to win this, though I would be disappointed if we didn’t grab a point. 1-1.
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By Guest in Previews 2009-10 ·

Dunfermline 0-0 Inverness CT - Report

Whiteout conditions...
 
...an hour before this clash put the game at risk as heavy snow fell in Fife.
Last week it was fog, this week snow. Following Inverness is more like watching the weather report than the match report these days.
Both teams were desperate to cling on to Dundee's tails as they battled hard on a very heavy pitch which had to have the lines cleared just before kick off.   The wide areas looked like a ploughed field with a dusting of snow making it look like a Christmas card, but it made intricate wing play impossible
In the end neither were probably happy with a draw but that's what happened.
 
18th December 2009 East End Park, Dunfermline DUNFERMLINE
0 -
Team: Paterson, Ross, McCann, Bell (Phinn 69), McGregor, Dowie, Gibson (Woods 88), Burke, McDougall (Cardle 60), Kirk, Graham
Subs: Fleming, Holmes
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE
0 -
Team:Esson, Proctor, Bulvitus, Munro, Djebi-Zadi, Cox, Sanchez (Odhiambo 84), Duff, Foran, Rooney, Hayes (Imrie 66)
Subs: Allison, Duncan, Stratford
Referee John McKendrick Attendance 2280  
Inverness started with the reliable Esson in goals and David Proctor and Lionel Dzebi-Zadi in the wing back areas for the still injured Tokely and Golabeck. The ever improving Bulvitis and captain Munro were the central defensive pairing with loan star Stuart Duff partnering the rejuvenated Lee Cox in the deep role. Hayes, Sanchez and Foran were the back up for on form Adam Rooney. This meant Duncan, Imrie and Odhiambo had to settle for a place on the bench. The Pars had young keeper Greg Paterson between the sticks for the broken footed Chris Smith. McCann and McGregor were about to play important roles for Dunfermline as they tried to keep the ICT attack at arms length. Former ICT hustler Graeme Bayne missed out through injury which left Graham, Kirk and Gibson as the main attacking threat for the Fifers.
The match got underway after the ground staff cleared the lines although the underfoot conditions were to ensure that silky football was at a premium. It was to be a better day for sliding tackles than sliding the ball into the net. Debut keeper Paterson had an early touch and the youngster coped admirably, although some of his kicking in the treacherous conditions was nervy. After a tentative first few minutes Andy Kirk was first to test the keepers but Esson had no problem dealing with it. Adam Rooney had his first attempt after he latched onto a Foran knock down but he dragged his angled volleyed attempt wide of the mark from the right side of the six yard box. Shortly after this McGregor made a timely block as Rooney once again threatened. Rooney was proving to be a nuisance to the Pars defence and once again he tried his luck when Hayes fed him, but once again he dragged his finish wide of the post. Just after the half hour and Hayes once more set Rooney up for a pop at goal but Paterson made a comfortable save low to his right. Dunfermline had the last noteworthy attempt of the half as Gibson tested the alert Esson but the keeper prevailed.
Steak bridie time 0-0
The second half started in the same fashion and Paterson foiled Rooney once more to stop him adding to his ten goals this season. Esson made a diving save low to his right to push an effort from Kirk round the post, although he would not have been aware that the ball was going fractionally wide. Cardle livened proceedings with some showboat backheels that woke up the home support but Esson was still commanding his area well. Inverness had weathered the mini storm from Dunfermline and were now getting back on top but Gibson reminded Esson that he had to keep guard as he fired a thirty yarder just over the bar, although it appeared that Esson withdrew his hands as the ball approached. The away support did not share the same confidence as the ball dipped late, gasps all round. Sanchez went clear on the left side of the box, but he took one touch too many when you would have put your money on him to open the scoring and this allowed Paterson to smother the ball. The pressure was mounting on the home defence but with no cutting edge the Pars were gaining in confidence at the back. Inverness almost made the breakthrough in the last five minutes as Foran tried a snapshot when the defence parted but his well hit shot was too straight at the keeper. Rooney had his last moment as he nearly sneaked in between Dowie and Paterson but his luck was out as the keeper gathered.
Full Time 0-0
So that was it, not the worst no scoring draw I have ever witnessed but certainly no classic. Conditions dictated that Hayes was never going to reach the heights of recent weeks as he was well marshalled by the Pars defence with mostly two players waiting for him. Rooney was the biggest sinner having about five goes without scoring. Best for Inverness were the marauding wing back Lionel Djebi-Zadi. At this rate Golly will struggle to get back into the first eleven. He had some great overlapping runs and only the final ball spoiling his day. Lee Cox is back to his best, no coincidence that the arrival of Duff has seen his performances peak. He was still full of running after ninety minutes and his industry was matched by Richie Foran as he was seen all over the park. Bulvitis once again has shown improvement recently bar one misplaced pass in the heart of our defence, but he had the speed to recover and shut down the Pars man as he entered our box.
Tm4tj MotM:  One man stood head and shoulders above the rest and the tm4tj Man of the Match is going to the great Spanish dictator, Dani Sanchez who relished playing in the snow and his ball retention and probing play should have seen Inverness take all three points. Sanchez is now beginning to show his true worth and looks like the perfect foil for Rooney or Foran. Boxing day is now a must win surely as Dundee relentlessly stride on towards promotion, so see you all there with your new oversized multi-coloured cardigans (you'll grow into it) and aftershave on for what should be a Christmas cracker. It's the way ah tell em.
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By Guest in Reports 2009-10 ·

Dunfermline -V- Inverness CT - Preview

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Last week the fog descended on Inverness as Adam Rooney scored his tenth goal of the season to help Inverness edge above the Pars in the league. Inverness outclassed a poor Raith Rovers side as they dominated from start to finish and ran out easy winners, although they were unable to transfer their quality of play into goals for because of too many mist chances. This week I would expect a much sterner test as Raith’s Fife neighbours Dunfermline battle it out with Inverness for the pre-Xmas present of three valuable points. Dundee should have no problems disposing of relegation candidates Morton this weekend. Which means that a draw will do neither side any favours as both teams still have an outside chance of topping the leaderboard come next spring, and the need to claw back Dundee’s 10 point advantage gets more critical.
The first game of the season at East End Park saw Inverness snatch a late winner with a superb lee Cox volley deep into time added on. Inverness had dominated the first half and looked comfortable, but the Pars turned the screw in the second half and will feel aggrieved to have lost all three points. Andy Kirk spurned the best chances and he smacked the post with Esson well beaten. Adam Rooney missed a number of golden opportunities, especially in the first half, but his new found confidence has shown the ICT fans that a different player is emerging. In the return fixture at Inverness the points were shared in another game of two halves. Inverness were settling into the familiar role of being unable to defend a lead as a looping Andy Kirk header cancelled out David Proctor’s goal on the stroke of half time. A disappointing result for Inverness but a well earned draw for the Fifers.
Dunfermline have been one of the form teams in the league since they visited the Highland capital in mid October. They have won fourteen points from a possible twenty one. Their only defeat in those games was a surprise one nil reverse down at Somerset Park. The two draws were a one all against Dundee and last weeks entertaining encounter against Ross County which ended three all. Morton, Raith, Partick andQueens, were all beaten. Their highlights amongst those games being a three one defeat of Partick Thistle, and a good away victory at Palmerston, something Inverness were unable to match. Billy Gibson has been in scoring form recently, notching four goals since the October clash. Strike pairing Graeme Bayne and Andy Kirk have a couple of goals each during this spell.
Inverness over the same period have amassed thirteen points from seven games. Disappointing defeats to Partick and Ross County along with the Alba Cup Final loss to Dundee were the low points, while big wins over Ayr and Morton boosted the Inverness goal tally. A hard fought draw at Palmerston was overshadowed by red cards for Foran and Duncan with Butcher also shown the way to the stand by ref Alan Muir. Butcher will have to watch from the stand this week but Foran and Duncan are available for selection. Inverness have not shown up too well against teams in the four positions above them since the start of the season, only winning two points from a possible twenty one. That is certainly not title winning form. The only time we have defeated any of these teams was in the cup competitions and that was after extra time at Partick and a narrow 1-0 defeat of County in the Alba Cup. We have the edge on the Fife pair although with the Pars recent good form this game will be difficult to judge.
Squads
Inverness will be boosted by the return from suspension of red card pair Foran and Duncan. Foran may well be included in the starting eleven, but Duncan may have to settle for a place on the bench after Stuart Duff impressed on his loan spell debut against a lacklustre Raith Rovers. Lionel Djebi-Zadi has also been impressive since his return to the first team and could keep Stuart Golabeck on the bench along with Duncan. With Tokely still nursing a broken hand, able deputy David Proctor will have another couple of games to stake a claim for the right back berth. Butcher now has the pleasant choice of more attacking options with Hayes on fire just now, and Rooney looking like the first forwards names on the team sheet. The others in contention being Eric, Sanchez, Foran and Imrie. Keeping with the attack minded 4-2-3-1, the likely team will be:-
Esson Proctor Bulvitis Munro Lionel
Duff Cox
Hayes Sanchez Eric
Rooney With Foran and Imrie itching to get on and Duncan looking to get back on the park competition is hotting up all over the park and that will help to keep everyone on their toes.
Dunfermline will be without on loan keeper Chris Smith after it was revealed he will be out for up to two months as he has a stress fracture to his right foot. Smith was taken in from St Mirren after regular on loan keeper Greg Fleming was sidelined with a dislocated finger. Manager Jim McIntyre said that Chris has been in tremendous form since coming to Dunfermline and this is a huge blow for them. His foot was troubling him last Thursday, but it was not X-rayed until the Tuesday when the fracture was revealed. Stephen Glass is still out longer term, and ex-ICT favourite Graeme Bayne missed out last week but Calum Woods and Joe Cardle were on the bench after longer term injuries.
Last weeks Pars squad
Smith, Ross (Woods 73), McCann, Bell, McGregor, Dowie, Gibson, Burke (Phinn 64), McDougall (Holmes 80), Kirk, David Graham. Subs Not Used: Cardle, Paterson. Tm4tj prediction With both teams being fairly equal over the last seven games this one could prove to be a difficult hurdle for Inverness to overcome. David Graham was in tremendous form in the opening fixture and looked like causing our back line problems when he advanced towards our box. This time he will have David Proctor facing him and that could be a key tussle in the game. Andy Kirk and Graeme Bayne linked well and some neat interplay around our penalty area almost brought them some reward. Billy Gibson has been scoring freely and his wing play on the right will test Lionel to the full, hopefully his pace will be an asset against the tricky wide player. We could come out on top in the deep midfield engine room as on loan Don’s player Stuart Duff proved to be the perfect foil to allow Lee Cox the room to help out the attack. Our own wide players of Hayes and Odhiambo have shown a clean pair of heels to most defenders this season and they will provide the ever improving Adam Rooney with the ammunition he requires. Danni Sanchez and Foran will vie for the other attacking position, and either of these players can contribute in different ways depending on which formation Butcher goes with. Long ball tactic will suit Foran, while Sanchez’ groundwork might be the way forward against the tough Dunfermline back line with McGregor holding them together. Both of the previous encounters proved to be tight affairs and Inverness might have to settle for a share of the points, but I expect some goals to be scored. Taking everything into account put a cross on your coupon, 2-2.
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By Guest in Previews 2009-10 ·

Inverness CT 1-0 Raith Rovers - Report

Tenth for Rooney
 
Inverness hosted Raith Rovers at a fogbound Tulloch Caledonian Stadium where Adam Rooney scored the only goal of the game - his 10th of the season - in a 1-0 victory.
Inverness had loan player Stuart Duff on from the start with Lionel Djebi-Zadi keeping his place at left back after impressing at Palmerston the previous week. Absent were the red card boys Foran and Duncan who were ably replaced by Sanchez and Duff. Eric Odhiambo surprisingly kept his place in the team after a poor showing in Dumfries but he quickly erased last weeks display with some fleet footed work early on.
 
12th December 2009 Caledonian Stadium INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE
1 - Rooney (22)
Team: Esson, Proctor, Bulvitis, Munro, Djebi-Zadi, Cox, Odhiambo (Imrie 69), Duff, Rooney⚽, Sanchez (Eagle 80), Hayes (Stratford90)
Subs: Allison, McBain
RAITH ROVERS
0 -
Team: McGurn, Wilson, Ellis, Campbell, Hill, Cameron (Tade 54), Walker, Simmons,
K. Smith, Russell (Weir 81), D. Smith (Gathuessi 71)
Subs: O Connor, Sloan
Referee Frank McDermott Attendance 2768 Inverness hosted Raith Rovers at a fogbound Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. The freezing fog threatened to stop the game as the match progressed, lifting briefly around half time. That was when the couple of hundred Rovers fans became visible from the North Stand before the fog rolled in again engulfing the extremities of the pitch once more. Inverness had loan player Stuart Duff on from the start with Lionel Djebi-Zadi keeping his place at left back after impressing at Palmerston the previous week. Absent were the red card boys Foran and Duncan who were ably replaced by Sanchez and Duff. Eric Odhiambo surprisingly kept his place in the team after a poor showing in Dumfries but he quickly erased last weeks display with some fleet footed work early on.
The game started in thick fog and conditions were to get worse before the end as the opposite end of the park was barely visible from the North Stand. Inverness started brightly and created numerous opportunities with the Raith defence struggling to contain the lively Eric and Jonny Hayes. Eric had two or three flashing attempts in the first ten minutes as we tore the Raith defence to shreds. The phenomenal Jonny Hayes was teasing them with his pace and tried his luck but the ball slid just wide. Raith had very few moments to get excited about and their best attempt was a prodded effort from ten yards that sailed high over the bar. Lionel started where he finished last week and had a tremendous sliding tackle as the Raith winger was angling towards the Jaggies box, he then rampaged forward and put a dangerous cross into the box. He was to go on and have another good day at the office. Another teasing cross from Hayes saw Eric drill a low shot just wide. We were to fare better a few minutes later as cult hero Adam Rooney broke free inside the box. He latched on to a Hayes ball and he looked as though he was being ushered wide but he squeezed home a low angled drive from his left side into the net from around ten yards. Excellent goal and another boost to Adam’s confidence. Inverness were continuing to dominate the proceedings and Hayes brought out a fantastic diving save from Raith’s busiest player McGurn with a stinging twenty five yard free kick. Just before half time Sanchez had a glorious chance but his shot went straight at the keeper.
Half Time 1-0.
We were almost gifted an own goal early in the second half as a tantalising Hayes free kick was bundled past his own post by Hill with Bulvitis about to poke the ball in. A great run down the left flank by Lionel ended when his low cross was met by Lee Cox about eight yards out, unfortunately for him, McGurn made a point blank reaction save to thwart the industrious midfielder who was back to his pre-season best. Raith were reduced to ten men around the seventy minute mark when Hill was sent packing after a crude challenge on Adam Rooney. It was a second yellow for Hill and he had to go. Raith made one of their sporadic forays into the mist. Their attempt would not have been out of place at Murrayfield as the strike from thirty yards cleared the South Stand. That was about as close as it got for a dismal Raith side. Yet another swift counter attack from Inverness saw Cox get on the end of a Rooney cut back and again he was denied as McGurn flicked the ball onto the post, it then rebounded onto his head and he eventually gathered the ball and scrambled it clear. Inverness were in total control and the only thing missing was the second goal their fluent play deserved. This was as one sided a match as it gets and practically every Inverness player tried his luck at scoring. Munro had a header saved as we pushed forward in search of the elusive killer second goal but it never arrived. Lionel burst into the box after some neat interplay on the left and he was unceremoniously halted, but the excellent Frank McDermott waived away the appeals.
Full time 1-0 and the ref blew his whistle to take the pressure off the overworked Raith defence who were saved time and time again by the outstanding McGurn. So, three well deserved points for Inverness in the fog. Stuart Duff had an effective debut for Inverness and never put a foot wrong. His midfield partner Lee Cox had his best game for us and never stopped running and was unlucky not to score a couple of goals. Eric started brightly and certainly deserved his place in the starting line up. Big Lionel was another who showed that he can play at this level and was as good going forward as he was in defence. Little Jonny was once again outstanding, the downside of this is he will be attracting a lot of attention from bigger clubs. Danni Sanchez looked good and his vision is second to none at the club. Give him the time and the space and he will provide. Our back line were never tested in this game, but that does not mean they never played their part, well apart from the spectator that was Ryan Esson, he won’t have an easier days wages. Referee bashing seems to be a popular sport these days, so I suppose it’s only fair to applaud them when they do get it right, and todays ref was a breath of fresh air compared to last weeks villain, so well done Frank McDermott.
It was difficult to pick a Man of the Match for this one as so many players shone through the gloom today, but for his all round bustling style and general harassment Adam Rooney gets the nod ahead of Cox and Hayes. He took his goal brilliantly and never gave up on lost causes. That I believe was Rooney’s tenth goal of the season and it looks like there are plenty more goals in his locker so well done that man.
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By Guest in Reports 2009-10 ·

Inverness CT -V- Raith Rovers - Preview

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Raith Rovers Preview Dec 12th 2009
Xmas shopping is in full swing now and Caley Thistle are no different, as they go shopping for three points against last seasons second division champions Raith Rovers.
Terry Butcher will take a different view of this game. He will be sitting in the stand after being sent from the dugout by last weeks pantomime villain, referee Alan Muir who is fast building a reputation as the bad guy, a ref who has shown more cards than my postman has so far.
As well as sending Butcher packing, Richie Foran and Russell Duncan were also on the receiving end of Mr Muir's generosity as they headed for the proverbial early bath at Palmerston. Not to be outdone, Queens also had a player red carded as the baddie showed his yellow card to no fewer than five other players, boo hissssss. So, for this week's game, Malpas will have sole occupancy of the dugout while Terry lauds it up with his buddies in the Main Stand. That could prove interesting.
Raith have had a good start to their first division campaign and have shown themselves to be nobodies pushover. John McGlynn has moulded a reasonable squad together. Having started the season with draws against Queen of the South and Dundee, they had their first win in the market village of Dingwall, and followed this by defeating the Pars 2-0. However, their season has been mirrored by their hosts and inconsistency has seen them slip to seventh spot, only one point behind Inverness. We had the better of Raith at Starks Park in October, when a late David Proctor strike was enough to separate the sides. Since that game, Raith have managed two wins, three defeats and a draw on league business, and knocked Peterhead out of the Cup with a convincing 1-4 replay victory. Their worst league performance was a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Morton when Murray was sent packing early in the second half. Beating Queens was the highlight of that sequence of results. Raith, like Inverness have done some of their best work on the road and McGlynn is quietly confident of returning the favour to Inverness.
Inverness, over the same period have fared little better, losing the Alba cup final to Dundee and losing league matches to Partick and Ross County. A home draw with Dunfermline along with last weekend's stalemate in Dumfries has offered little Christmas cheer, although resounding goal difference enhancing performances against Airdrie Morton and Ayr United were pleasing if nothing else. Inverness have been able to beat the lower positioned teams but are somewhat struggling when it comes down to the teams in the top half of the division, and performance swings are too commonplace to enable us to challenge the leaders at this stage of the competition. One ray of sunshine has been supercharged leprechaun Jonny Hayes who was voted the Irn-Bru Phenomenal award winner for the month of November. Hayes has been in splendid form for Inverness and is seen by most fans as one of the few successes in the transfer market this pre-season. He is certainly one to watch as his pace is troubling the defenders in the first division and he is also managing to score the odd goal into the bargain
Squads for the weekend.
Inverness will have to do without the services of last weekends early bathers as Duncan and Foran sit this one out. Ross Tokely missed out last week with an injured hand and might be kept out until the crunch Xmas games, with Proctor proving to be an able deputy at right back. Stuart Golabek who tweaked his hamstring prior to the Queens game may be fit, but Lionel Djebi-Zadi did his own prospects no harm with a good showing at Dumfries and could keep the left back position. Danni Sanchez could slot straight in to replace Foran as his exploits were cut short last weekend due to the dismissals. Dougie Imrie came on and showed up well and will be looking for a starting berth ahead of Eric, who did not have the best of games. With Foran and Duncan set to miss out then the starting eleven could read something like this;
Esson Proctor     -     Bulvitis     -     Munro     -     Zadi Cox     -     McBain Hayes     -     Sanchez     -     Imrie Rooney
Editor's Note: Since this preview was written it has been confirmed that Stuart Duff has been signed from Aberdeen on a one-month loan so he too could be vying for a place in the team.
Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn has been busy strengthening his squad recently. Loan striker Kevin Smith is available until January 2nd. The tangerines frontman is on his third spell at Starks Park and has been in scoring form, hitting the back of the net in the cup win over Peterhead. They have also signed 19-year-old Spanish midfielder Javier Corredera, formerly of Union Deportivo Almeria. He has signed on an amateur basis until the end of the season, and he made a goal scoring debut for the Kirkcaldy club's reserves away to Ross County. Thierry Gathuessi has been signed by Raith and has played a couple of trial matches for them, and made his debut against Ayr United, winning the sponsors MoM. He was expected to feature against Airdrie, but that postponement means the former ICT player could play his second match against us. Laurie Ellis is a former St Mirren player who adds plenty of experience to the Raith defence. Definitely out for Raith are the suspended Grant Murray, and the injured Iain Williamson and Iain Davidson, the latter pair are both back in light training but are at least a couple of weeks away from match fitness.
Bolstered by McGlynn's assosciation with Hearts, six former Jambo's are plying their trade at Raith. Striker Graeme Weir can be a handful for big defenders with his pace. Robert Sloan is a tricky wide player. Defender Grant Murray signed from Killie has bags of experience, as has Steven Simmons the classy midfielder. Youngster Ryan Wallace is the other outfield player. He scored on his debut against Partick Thistle. Garry O'Connor is one of three keepers on the books.
Last squad:- Raith Rovers: McGurn, Wilson, Ellis, Campbell, Hill, Murray, Tade, Walker, Simmons, Kevin Smith (Bryce 82), Darren Smith. Subs Not Used: O'Connor, Ferry, Weir, Whatley.
Tm4tj prediction
As eagerly anticipated as Xmas is for a turkey, here are my thoughts on the Raith game.
In the week that Rod Stewart was announced as next summers big signing I have reason to believe that Inverness will come out on top in this mid table tussle. Raith proved to be difficult to overcome in the first game and this will be no different. If ICT can contain Gregory Tade and use Jonny Hayes to good effect then the points will be staying in the Highlands. However, our inability to hold on to an advantage has been all too evident recently and Rovers will surely have done their homework on that aspect of our play. It's up to Inverness to get some reward for the hard work that has not always been fruitful. We have tough games coming up over the festive period which will make or break our season and any of the top seven teams that can maintain a level of consistency will push Dundee hard for the top spot.
Home win for me..........oh no it's not..........oh yes it is.
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By Guest in Previews 2009-10 ·

New Stadium Caterers

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC have answered the growing concern and discontent among fans in regards to the catering at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
They announced this week that they have appointed new caterers, Lindley Group, who will take over with effect from this Saturdays match up versus Raith Rovers.
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC SIGNS UP LINDLEY GROUP
Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC has appointed Lindley Group, the UK’s leading sports stadia caterer, to manage the public sector catering at its 7,000 capacity Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
The 5½-year contract with the Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Championship First Division team increases Lindley’s presence in Scotland with ICTFC becoming the seventh Scottish club to benefit from the Lindley Group’s expertise in football stadia catering. Lindley also manages the catering for Scottish Premier League teams Celtic, Hibernian, Dundee United, Motherwell and St Johnstone, as well as fellow Irn-Bru SFLC First Division team Dundee FC.
Under the terms of the 5½-year deal, Lindley Group will be responsible for developing the match day catering at the club’s six kiosks and bars at the Stadium.  Inverness Caledonian Thistle will continue manage the corporate hospitality separately. Lindley will also provide a part-time manager at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium who will manage 20 part-time casual staff.
Darren Mackintosh, commercial manager of ICT FC, said:  "We are very pleased to have negotiated a deal to deliver the same calibre of fans' catering as five SPL teams - including the country's biggest club stadium, Celtic Park -  as well as leading English Premiership stadia.

"We felt it was important to improve the fans' matchday experience and we're delighted that discussions have had a positive outcome with the club set to benefit from an alliance with the Lindley Group. Their vast experience within football catering has the potential to benefit us significantly, and we look forward to their expertise delivering a high standard of service both on match days and at other events at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
“Hopefully, it will be a win-win situation with an enhanced food and beverage facility generating more income which we can reinvest in the club."
Paul Biffen, Lindley Group’s Sales & Marketing Director, says: “We’re delighted to be working with a club which is so enthusiastic about developing and enhancing the catering service it provides for its supporters.  We’ll be working in partnership with Inverness Caledonian Thistle to help them make their food and beverage service an enjoyable part of their supporters’ match-day experience
and this will, in turn, increase the contribution catering makes to their club’s business.
“With over 55 years' experience specialising in stadia, venue and event catering and management, the Lindley Group has the skills and proven track record to ensure clients maximise their financial returns whilst providing exceptional service. We work with professional football clubs of all sizes, including many in the Premiership division, so we really are in the best position to assist ICTFC in developing their catering operation and provide the fast, efficient service needed to cater for hungry, thirsty fans in very small time frames.”
Biffen adds:  “As well as offering the benefits of group purchasing power, we will look at all aspects of the club’s catering business from kiosk layouts and implementing systems to reducing wastage, presentation of staff and creating more innovative kiosk menus.  And our expertise really comes to the fore in helping them to market their business outside match days.”
Last season (08/09) the Lindley Group increased revenue returned to clubs by an average of 12.5%, with some clubs achieving increases as high as 21% and 22%.
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By Guest in News 2009-10 ·

QotS 1-1 Inverness CT - Report

Card Happy ref ruins game
 
The Alan Muir show finished at 1-1, and at the end of the game Terry Butcher was sitting in the stand, 6 yellows had been issued and there were 3 reds as well.
The controversial referee who was lambasted by both managers after his SPL game ;last week will surely face a similar fate this week as he would seem to have over-reacted to a physical but not dirty game.
 
 
5th December 2009 Palmerston Park QUEEN OF THE SOUTH
1 - Harris (76)  
Team: Hutton, McMillan, Harris⚽, Lilley, McAusland, McKenna(Wilson 71), Burns,
Quinn, McLaren, Holmes, Weatherston (Kean 71)
Subs: McGeown, Wyness, Scally
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE
1 - Hayes (18)
Team: Esson, Proctor, Bulvitus, Munro, Djebi-Zadi, Cox, Duncan, Foran, Hayes⚽(Imrie 82),
Odhiambo(Sanchez 71 (McBain 80)), Rooney
Subs: Allison, Eagle
Referee Alan Muir Attendance 2196 There are some football matches that, with their sophistication, class and beauty, can be compared to beautiful women.
If ICT’s 1-1 draw in Dumfries was a woman, it would be Vanessa Feltz. After disfiguring facial burns.
Jonny Hayes gave Inverness a first half lead against Queen of the South, but once more Terry Butcher’s side showed an inability to protect their advantage, conceding to Bob Harris’ superb free kick after the break in a match which saw Richie Foran and Russell Duncan both sent off, along with David Lilley of the home side. It was a game of much toil but little craft, with ICT once more treating us to long periods of lacklustre play interspersed with rare moments of quality, whilst QOS had most of the possession but did not quite have the quality to produce enough chances.
Coming off last week’s defeat to Partick, Caley Thistle made three changes. With full backs Ross Tokely (broken hand) and Stuart Golabek (hamstring) out, Lionel Djebi-Zadi was brought in from the cold and David Proctor reverted to defence, with Lee Cox coming into midfield. Further up the pitch, Danni Sanchez was dropped to the bench, with Eric Odhiambo deployed in the “second striker” role.
Not that the new faces seemed to improve things early on. It was Gordon Chisholm’s side who came flying out of the traps. The first 20 minutes were spent almost exclusively in the Inverness half. Rocco Quinn dragged a shot wide, while Peter Weatherston was denied by a last ditch LDZ block. But with Ryan Esson much the busier keeper, a goal for Queens seemed inevitable, which made it all the more bizarre when Caley took the lead against the run of play. Jonny Hayes got a rare chance to run at full-back Bob Harris and, having skipped past him with the aid of a lucky ricochet, smacked a right-foot shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner. The goal was barely deserved, but was a moment of rare quality.
The home team were visibly deflated by the setback, and Eric Odhiambo came close to doubling the lead, glancing a header just wide. Harris nearly levelled things up by getting on the end of a fluid one-touch passing move, but Ryan Esson made a magnificent one handed save from his strike. But the talking points at the break were more to do with the cards being dished out willy-nilly by ref Alan Muir. The official had been at the centre of controversy at Motherwell-Dundee United last weekend, but by half-time had already booked four players in a match that, while robust, was hardly violent. One of those carded was Foran, for a studs-up tackle, and it would be regretted later on.
As expected, Queen of the South came out and had a go in the second half, with Esson making another great save, this time in a one-on-one with Weatherston, before Lee Cox nicked in to deny Derek Holmes the rebound. Weatherston then blazed over when he should have hit the target, whilst at the other end Adam Rooney shot straight at the goalkeeper and Eric, when clean through, took too many touches and was tackled before he could shoot. As the game entered the last half hour, though, things started to go against Inverness. Rooney appeared to be scythed down by Marc McAusland as he raced clear, but Muir deemed the tackle to be fair; a free kick would surely have resulted in McAusland’s dismissal for a professional foul.
Butcher, incensed on the touchline was promptly sent to the stand for his protests, just as Barry Wilson emerged from the subs bench for the home side. He had an instant impact, drawing another rash tackle from Foran which earned the Irishman a second yellow card. Shouts of “cheat!” and “you used to be a legend” were somewhat harsh, as Foran’s challenge was mistimed at best. To add insult to injury, Bob Harris stepped up and delightfully curled the resulting free kick into the top corner for the equalizer (whilst the visiting support were occupied singing “happy birthday” to Mrs Gringo). But even then the drama wasn’t over, as David Lilley and Russell Duncan got involved in fisticuffs over the ball. On the advice of his assistants, Lilley was shown a straight red and Duncan a second yellow, though no-one can actually recall the midfielder being booked earlier.
In the aftermath, Danni Sanchez, brought on only a few minutes earlier for Odihambo, was hooked for the more defensive McBain, whilst Dougie Imrie also entered the fray. Incredibly, it was Inverness’ nine men who nearly nicked the winner, with the energetic Imrie flashing a header just wide. But in the end the points were shared, a result which does neither side’s promotion prospects any good.
The Patented Hislopsoffsideagain Man of The Match
Ryan Esson, easily. The stop from Harris in the first half would be considered a top save at any level, and he displayed composure often sorely lacking in the rest of the game.
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By Guest in Reports 2009-10 ·

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