The SPL has agreed a landmark four year deal with Setanta Sports for live domestic broadcasting rights. The £125 million deal will extend the current partnership from the start of season 2010/11 through to the end of season 2013/14. 60 games will be covered live each season for broadcast across the UK and Ireland.
Lex Gold, Executive Chairman of the SPL said: "Ten years ago we spoke about delivering a brighter future for Scottish football. Today, as we look ahead to our next ten years we can do so with confidence.
"An investment on this scale, £125 million, marks the biggest ever TV deal in Scottish football history. No commercial deal comes close to matching what has been achieved today by the SPL and Setanta Sports for our game.
"This is a step change for our clubs and will allow them to re-invest to make the Scottish game even stronger.
"We have moved forward with Setanta Sports over the past four years. We look forward to working with them to continue building and developing our league."
A topsy turvy
season, a push for the top six that ultimately failed, an early season change
of manager, a late season change of chairman, a new main club sponsor and a new
league sponsor. Things are rarely dull around Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. SPL
survival ceased to be an issue by Christmas with Gretna propping up the table and an
ever-widening gap appearing between twelfth and eleventh spots.
With an early
decision not to apply for Inter Toto Cup entry it was back to Italy's Tuscany
region for a pre-season training camp. Missing from the squad were Stuart
Golabek (to Ross County), Darren Dods (to Dundee United)
and Craig Dargo who, after much speculation, signed for St Mirren. Back-up
striker Gary McSwegan ended his playing contract but was appointed under 19
coach. In January he was in turn replaced by Alex Clelland and, after a break,
McSwegan returned to playing action with Clyde
in March.
There were two new faces in the Italian party - Don Cowie (from Ross County)
and Dean McDonald (from Gillingham) - plus
promoted youngsters Ally MacDonald, Guy Kerr and Garry Wood. Goalkeeper Ally
Ridgers signed after a loan period from Clach and Jonathon Smith moved in the
opposite direction on a short term deal before heading to college in the USA.
During the Italian trip long-serving defender Grant Munro was appointed club
captain to replace Darren Dods. The Italian trip included victories against a Qatar
U20 side (2-0) and a Romanian under 21 team Universitatea Craiova (2-1)
One reason for
giving the Inter Toto Cup a miss was the fact that Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
would have been unavailable for the opening round because of the high-profile
concert by Elton John on Sunday 15 July. The squad flew back from Italy
in time to join the 17000 crowd and enjoy the music of the Rocket Man in the
summer sun. The Elton John concert also affected the pre-season programme as
preparations and the aftermath meant that all matches were played away from
home. There was the usual pre-season circuit of Highland League venues plus
matches away to Peterhead (1-2) and Ross
County (2-1).
Transfer activity
continued with the focus on Marius Niculae. It took a special financial deal to
lure the Romanian international to Inverness but gaining a work permit was
quite another matter - it was at first refused but, following an appeal to the
SFA and a fans' petition, it was granted and he was free to play. The new
season saw the start of a lucrative two-year sponsorship deal by regional
airline Flybe and thus new kits.
The first match at
home, and the start of the SPL campaign, could not have been harder - Rangers
in front of the Setanta cameras. The 1230 kick-off created a little bit of
history as the first match of the Clydesdale Bank's four-year league
sponsorship deal. A new record crowd of 7711 saw Caley Thistle go down 3-0. A
small section of stand was opened at the west end of the ground to house a
‘singing section' - thus the capacity was increased and allowed the crowd
record to be broken. The aftermath of the match raged on for a couple of weeks
with Rangers' fans accused of racist chants but all calmed down and Rangers
escaped punishment. Niculae made his debut the following week in a 2-1 defeat
away to Motherwell then it was the same score in Paisley
against St Mirren.
After these three
league games Charlie Christie decided the stress of managing his home club
could not continue. He dramatically stood down on 20 August and a stunned
Graeme Bennett now had to search for another new manager. The usual suspects
were named as contenders - plus some surprises (including former Sheffield United
manager Neil Warnock) but in the end Craig Brewster returned to the club as
player/manager assisted by Donald Park. Brewster expressed his delight at being
back and said he had ‘unfinished business'. Before the appointment Park
occupied the hot seat for a home match against Dundee United and a 3-0 defeat -
with former ICT favourite Barry Robson converting two penalties.
24 hours after his
appointment on 27 August Brewster took charge for a home CIS Insurance Cup tie
against Arbroath. It ended 3-1 for Caley Thistle but was not all plain sailing.
At 2-0 Arbroath hit back and it took a third goal from Marius Niculae (his
second of the game) to settle it. Brewster had been playing for Aberdeen since leaving the
manager's post at Dundee United and he was at this point top SPL goalscorer. In
his last Aberdeen
match he scored twice away to Hibs and now he had to lead his ‘new' club to
Easter Road. He opted not to play but may have had some regrets as ICT went
down 1-0 to a Steven Fletcher penalty goal.
Brewster's arrival
coincided with the last few days of the summer transfer window so he was a busy
man off the field. As the window closed Zander Sutherland went off to Elgin City
on a six month loan (that was eventually extended until the end of 2007/08) and
he was joined at Borough Briggs by Ally Ridgers. Ridgers went on loan but
signed for them in January 2008. In turn Ridgers was replaced as back-up
‘keeper by Zibi Malkowski on a season-long loan from Hibs. Steven Watt had
already been brought in by Charlie Christie on loan from Swansea
City as a back-up central defender but
Brewster reinforced the defensive options by signing defender David Proctor
from Dundee United and bringing in Phil McGuire on loan from Dunfermline.
After a blank
Saturday it was off to Celtic
Park on 15 September. It
was a black day with a record 5-0 defeat but a stirring ICT performance despite
the score. It was better the next day when a young ICT side beat Elgin City
at Forres to take the ITP Solutions North Cup 3-2 after extra time. The winner
came from rising star Dale Gillespie seven minutes before a penalty decider
would have been necessary.
The first SPL point
was a long time coming but after six defeats it came in style. SPL match number
seven was against Hearts at home on 22 September and the pundits were
predicting further misery for Caley Thistle. An Ian Black own goal in 34
minutes had the gloom merchants shaking their heads but a Dennis Wyness
equaliser and an injury-time Craig Brewster winner changed all that. Three points
on the board at last. This was to be Brewster's last competitive goal as he
later decided to hang up his boots at the end of 2007/08. ICT were still lying
at the foot of the league but at least there was now hope. Three days later
Gretna were defeated 3-0 in Inverness in round three of the CIS Insurance Cup
then the following Saturday it was 4-2 at home to Falkirk. This completed
September's programme with ICT up one precious spot to eleventh.
October started with
a 2-2 draw away to Kilmarnock and a bizarre
goal for each side making the headlines. Defensive errors led to a tap-in goal
for Killie and an own-goal at the other end. Caley Thistle played Aberdeen twice in October
but with no success. It was 1-2 on live TV at home (with Dennis Wyness netting his
100th goal) then an even more disappointing 1-4 at Pittodrie in the
quarter final of the CIS Insurance Cup. Sandwiched between the Aberdeen
matches was a convincing 4-0 win against Gretna
at their ground-sharing home of Fir
Park, Motherwell. The Gretna match was a
basement battle and the result ensured that ICT moved up another vital notch to
tenth. There were just three matches in November with 3-0 defeats to Rangers
(away) and Motherwell (home) before a 1-0 win at home to St Mirren ensured the
month ended in tenth spot. On 26 November Donald Park left his assistant head
coach post to return south for family reasons and was quickly replaced by Malky
Thomson. Thomson left his coaching post at Chester City
to reunite with Brewster.
December was to
prove much more successful. A narrow 1-0 win away to Dundee United was followed
by a 2-0 win at home to Hibs with Niculae scoring both goals to end his SPL
duck. The highlight of December was a classic home match against Celtic on
Sunday the 16th. This live TV match was one that Gordon Strachan
would refer to several times as the one that could have cost them the league
title. Ironically former ICT hero Mark Brown was in the Celtic goal and at the
wrong end of another ‘Ballistic' result. The match had everything - five goals,
a spirited fight back, a red card, a penalty, a disallowed goal and a wonder
save from home ‘keeper Mike Fraser. For the first 41 minutes Celtic looked well in
control but John Rankin's converted penalty in 42 minutes spurred ICT on to a
great second half performance and ultimate victory - all despite losing David
Proctor to a red card. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had scored in both the 24th and 25th minutes to give Celtic the lead but when Rankin made it 2-1
just before the break there was hope. David Proctor headed an equaliser in 56
minutes, just eleven minutes before he was dismissed for a last-man tackle on
Scott McDonald. In between the goal and the red card Don Cowie slid in to make
it 3-2 for the home side and, despite the man disadvantage, Caley Thistle held
on for victory. Celtic knew it was not their day when, in the dying minutes,
Mike Fraser somehow pushed out a Stephen McManus header that looked destined
for the top corner.
The purple patch continued six days later at Tynecastle when Hearts were
defeated 3-2. Caley Thistle were 2-0 up, conceded two goals then Graham Bayne
scored a winner two minutes into added time. Five SPL wins in a row led
to a climb into the top six, albeit only for 24 hours until Aberdeen took a point from Rangers to go
above ICT on goal difference. The only black spot of December was on Boxing Day
when a flat performance at Falkirk led to a
1-0 defeat. It was much better three days later when Niculae scored twice in a
3-1 home win against Kilmarnock. The third
goal came from Don Cowie whose superb performances and goals were proving
vital. The calendar year was completed in a very creditable eighth spot and
there was a double celebration when the SPL
December awards for manager and player went to Craig Brewster and Marius
Niculae.
2008 started with
the 16th attempt to beat Aberdeen
but the away league match ended 1-0 to the Dons thanks to a late Barry
Nicholson penalty. Three days later it was back to winning ways with a
convincing 3-0 home defeat of Gretna.
This was to be ICT's last win until the next match against Gretna in April.
After leaving
Inverness Donald Park became assistant manager at Raith Rovers for a short
period before moving on 10 January to be assistant to new Hibs' manager Mixu
Paatelainen. By coincidence the duo's first match was a Scottish Cup tie at
Easter Road against ICT two days later. With the help of Park's inside
knowledge Hibs easily won 3-0. A week later it was another big match, at home
to Rangers in the league and once more in front of Setanta's cameras. ICT lived dangerously but a battling
performance looked like earning a point until Rangers' substitute Jean-Claude
Darcheville scored 90 seconds from time. Two blank Saturdays meant no more
football in January but as usual the month was dominated by transfer talk and
action.
Transfer activity
usually resumes in January but this season it started early when, in December,
Dean McDonald went back to former club Gillingham
on trial. Things did not work out and he returned north for a few months before
heading for Canada in March,
returning to Inverness in April and being
released at the end of the season. Stuart McCaffrey had been finding a regular
first team slot difficult to achieve so in January he went off on loan to St
Johnstone then signed a deal with the Perth
club at the end of the season. John Rankin had fallen down the midfield
pecking order and his departure was known in advance of the transfer window.
After considering a number of options he joined Hibs. Alan Morgan moved to Kilmarnock after a short loan spell at St Johnstone. Rory
McAllister went off on loan to Peterhead but returned for the tail end of the
season. Phil McGuire signed a 2 ½ year permanent deal following his loan from Dunfermline. There was a financial bonus for the club
when Barry Robson was transferred from Dundee United to Celtic for £1.25
million - his May 2003 move from Inverness to Tayside included a clause giving
ICT a share of any future transfer fee.
February was a
disappointing month but the 1-1 away draw at St Mirren on the ninth did include
the club's 1000th goal scored by skipper Grant Munro. It was the
same score at home to Dundee United a week later then three defeats on the road
- 3-1 at Motherwell (the club's 500th league match), 2-0 against
Hibs and 2-1 at Celtic
Park. March was no better
with a 3-0 defeat at home to Hearts, 0-1 away to Falkirk, 1-4 at Kilmarnock
(ICT's 600th senior match) then a pulsating 4-3 defeat at home to Aberdeen. This match on 29
March will be remembered as a classic despite the result. It was 2-2 at half
time then in the interval ICT were reduced to ten men with Russell Duncan's
dismissal - he had been booked for an over exuberant celebration of his 39th minute goal then he kicked the ball into the stand after the Dons equalised
just before the break. A dramatic second half saw a goal for either side then a
last gasp winner by Chris Maguire for Aberdeen,
four minutes into added time. Maguire was suspiciously offside and there was
amazement when Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood embraced the linesman! Grant Munro
was less than complimentary to the officials as he left the pitch and was shown
a red card in the referee's room ten minutes after the final whistle.
In early March the Gretna bubble burst and
they were forced into administration. An immediate ten-point penalty was
enforced and this should have eased any last remaining relegation worries for
the rest of the lower SPL clubs. Instead there were rumours that, if Gretna went out of
business before the end of the season, another team would be relegated. Crunch
time was the period leading up to their match away to Aberdeen
on 15 March - the administrator had doubts as to whether a team could be
fielded and the media carried alternative league tables with points won against
Gretna removed.
ICT would lie ninth just three points from the foot. In the event the Aberdeen match went ahead
and emergency SPL funding assisted temporary survival. Gretna were to survive to the end of the
season but their existence beyond that was in grave doubt. On 29 March they
lost to St Mirren and were formally relegated.
On 5 April Caley
Thistle's long run of no wins (11 games) ended with a 2-1 victory away to Gretna - but the score
flattered the home side. This was the last match before the SPL split and Caley
Thistle took their place in the bottom six. Kilmarnock
were soundly beaten 3-0 at home on the 19th and April ended on a
disappointing note with a 1-0 defeat away to Hearts. On 3 May Gretna came back north and were soundly
beaten 6-1. Despite their troubles Gretna
put up a strong performance but were eventually crushed by a new ICT SPL record
score. The six goals came from six different players including Barry Wilson who
had spent March on loan to St Johnstone. This move, in his testimonial
year, had looked like the end of his long ICT career but he came back to
produce some stirring performances, score his 82nd and 83rd goals (and become the club's second top goalscorer) and earn a new deal. The
final match on 17 May saw St Mirren come to Inverness
but, despite creating chances, neither side could score and the whistle went on
another season. This still left the final league position undecided but two
days later St Mirren lost to Rangers and ICT were confirmed in ninth spot.
Don Cowie ended an excellent first season in the SPL by taking all the
‘Player of the Year' titles and he was also the player with the most
appearances - 41 out of a possible 42. Marius Niculae was top of the
goalscoring charts with ten and Don Cowie was runner up with nine.
International
recognition was achieved by a number of players at different levels - Dale
Gillespie played for Scotland under 19s, Rory McAllister appeared for
Scotland's under 21 side, young goalkeeper Andrew McNulty was named as a
standby player for the Republic of Ireland under 19 squad in March, Richard
Hastings returned to the Canadian full international side and Marius Niculae
was reinstated to the Romanian team prior to Euro 2008. While the focus of
attention is naturally the first team congratulations must go to the
youngsters. The reserve side pushed hard for the SPL Reserve League title and
finished as runners up to Celtic. Congratulations also to the under 14 and
under 17 sides that won their respective age groups in Dublin's Umbro Cup in August.
At the annual Highlands and Islands Business Awards in November the
club was presented with a Special Achievement Award to reflect the many
successful aspects of the club in addition to football. On 7 September the ICT
Supporters' Trust held a fund raising dinner and inaugurated a Hall of Fame for
past players. It is intended that this will be an annual event and the first
inductees were Bobby Mann, Mike Teasdale, Mike Noble, Alan Hercher and Jim
Calder. Club secretary Jim Falconer
received a special award for his long service on the administrative side of the
club. In January the Rev Hugh Watt took over as club chaplain in succession to
long-serving Arthur Fraser.
As has been the
pattern most years the composition of the board changed during the season. Mike
Crowe of Lifescan resigned due to a move back to his native United States and he was replaced
by David Cameron. Alan Savage stood
down as chairman in April and Rok's George Fraser took over the post.
Caley Thistle saw the first positive signs in regards to the transfer market this week with our first incoming player of the summer. After what's seemed like forever in the "will he, won't he" saga surrounding Andy Barrowman he's finally put pen to paper on a deal which will see's him contracted to ICT for the next 3 years.
This was offset however by news that Graham Bayne would be leaving for pastures new after agreeing a deal with Div 1's Dunfermline Athletic.
So...all in all, how are things shaping up "up front" for the Caley Jags?
Craig Brewster had an offer on the table for Dennis Wyness some months back, but for whatever reason, this was removed on the eve of signing with Craig Brewster claiming that the player had more to do to earn himself an extended deal at ICT. With no new deal being apparent Dennis made the decision to sign for SPL rivals St Mirren and left Tulloch Caledonian Stadium at the end of last season.
Graham Bayne is heading for pastures new at Dunfermline AFC next season, and whilst he is well respected among the fans for his "never say die" work ethic, he has struggled to hold down a regular starting position for the last couple of seasons and for that reason he'll be thanked for his efforts in getting the team where they are today and wished all the best for his future with the Pars.
Specualtion also remains high regarding the future of Marius Niculae at Inverness with his involvement in Euro 2008 for Romania sparking interest in the player from several quarters. Aside from the alleged interest of Dynampo Bucharest and Sporting Lisbon, there's also been rumour that some of our SPL Rivals have noted an interest in signing Marius for the 2008/09 season. With the club having made no formal statement regarding their opinions on the players future...be it a formal "For Sale" indicating their willingness to cash in, or an offer of an extension indicating they're realisation that they have a good thing and they are going to hold on to it if they can!!!
I couldn't help but feel that when Marius Niculae signed for ICT last summer it was one of those signings that would be a complete disaster or a total success. It's a decision that hung in the balance for most of the season as he battled to find full form after being out for a while and not having a pre-season under his belt. However, I'm sure few will deny that as the season came to a close we were starting to see the best of the player, and his inclusion in the Romanian Squad for Euro2008 cemented the fact that others were of similar opinion.
Sell him for a profit or extend his time at Caley Thistle? There's arguments that either would be considered a succesful move by the club, but when we're faced with a depleted attack force, bolstered only by a yet to be proven 2nd Div Striker then I can't help feeling that not even attempting to keep hold of someone of the calibre of Marius could be more expensive in the long run than any cash we could generate now.
The signing of Andy Barrowman who scored 29 goals for 2nd Division Champions Ross County last season could turn out to be another of those "hit or miss" signings for us. There's little doubt that with his recent goal scoring record he knows where the net is, but the question remains as to whether he can reproduce anything like that in the SPL.
It's a signing that I'm sure a lot more people would be comfortable with if we had some reassurance that he'd have some experience alongside him next season, but with our most experienced SPL Strikers (Wyness and Bayne) having left the club and the uncertainty over us retaining the services of Marius Niculae, it currently means that we would be drawing on youth and potential to not only maintain last years finishing position, but to push us forward as a club.
Only time will tell if the movement on the strikers front will equate to forward motion for the club. I have to say that I'm feeling extremely nervous of the situation at the moment and the club have some very big decisions to make over the next few weeks....decisions that could be the making or breaking of ICT next season in a league that's only getting increasingly more competitive.
Caley Thistle revealed their new 2008/09 home strip today.
Courtesy of Gordon Gillespie at NORTHSPORT we bring you some pictures of club captain Grant Munro and Ross Tokely modelling it at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium earlier today.
The stripes are gone, replaced with a diagonal swoosh from the left shoulder to right underarm area and there is also a red side panel on the left side. As far as we are aware, the away strip remains the same. For larger pictures, click on the read more link.
Pictures supplied by and copyrighted to NORTHSPORT PHOTOGRAPHY.
The fixtures for season 2008/09 have now been released and Caley Thistle will face an opening day trip to Aberdeen to face Jimmy Calderwood's Dons on Saturday 9th August.
The following two weeks see SPL newcomers Hamilton Accies and Hibernian visit the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on the 16th and 23rd respectively and August is rounded off with an away trip to Falkirk on the 30th.
Celtic are at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on 18th October and 31st January and Rangers will make the trip up North for the New Year game on 3rd January.
FULL ICT FIXTURE LIST HERE
Marius's involvement at Euro2008 has seen him featured on a number of different TV programmes, newspapers and websites over the last few weeks.
The latest site to feature him (and us) is the Euro 2008 statistics site at http://www.euro2008statistics.com/
The full article can be seen HERE or you can browse to the front page of the site and see some interesting stats about other teams.....
Season 2007/2008 was just another season for Inverness CT, or was it?
A change in manager, a change in chairman and a top class internationalist are just a few of the highlights.
Here, I have written a personal review of the season trying to include as much as possible. I am sorry for the length of the article, but if anyone can actually finish reading it I will be impressed!!!
Change in manager, change in chairman, highest paid player ever at the club, first ever call up to Euro 2008, another successful player from Ross County, no decent cup runs, trouble behind the scenes, more players leaving than joining, and some questionable team selections, and most importantly, SPL survival. Just another season for Inverness CT really.
Charlie Christie was looking forward to his second full season in charge of his belove Inverness CT. So far in this pre-season, he had brought in Dean McDonald from Gillingham who was a young striker with a good view to goal, Don Cowie who was our regular signing from over the bridge, Steven Watt on loan from Swansea and the biggest signing ever for Inverness CT, Marius Niculae. The Romanian took a big wage cut to join Inverness CT and still broke the wage structure which was to come to question later on in the season. After an initial unsuccessful work permit, an appeal was completed and he was signed ready for the 2nd game of the season, however with no pre-season under his belt, would he start brightly?
The league season started on the 4th August 2007, and it was Rangers who took the first trip of the season to the Highlands . The game was live on Setanta and at 12:30pm, so it was the first SPL game of the season. The new record attendance of 7711, did little to inspire the highlanders as they started with a 3-0 loss. Barry Ferguson scored the first goal of the game. Don Cowie and Dean McDonald both came on as substitutes to make their debuts for the club. Little did they know one would have a great season and one not so great. Next Saturday was a trip to Fir Park to play Motherwell, a venue where Inverness CT had success in the past but not today. I did attend this game, and after a dull 80 mins Ross Tokely scored the clubs first goal of the season. However two late goals, one a penalty ensured Motherwell got the 3pts. Don Cowie opened his account for the club the next week down at Love Street, but another loss this time 2-1 against St Mirren meant the club propped up the SPL with 0pts after 3 games. Little did the fans know what would happen on Monday.
On Monday, to the surprise of the fans, Charlie Christie resigned from his post as head coach stating that the pressures of the job were too much for him. For a local man, the club understood his reasoning, unfortunately though he left the club at the foot of the table. So for another time in their short history, Inverness were on the hunt for a new manager. One of the big names mentioned was Neil Warnock, but at the end of the day that was just speculation and too good to be true. Alan Savage decided to go back to the past for the next manager, with Craig Brewster the preferred option. Brewster left the club to manage his boyhood heroes, unfortunately for him though it didn’t work out with only a few wins to his name, and was sacked after only 1 year. He was currently played his trade at Aberdeen , and had scored 3 goals in 2 games, so not a bad player to get, but was his managerial skills up to the task? The club obviously saw something in him to take him back, and his first task was getting the club off the bottom of the table.
During the selection of a new manager, their was an SPL game at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium which Donald Park took charge for. Better best forgotten this one, with a 3-0 defeat.
Brewster then took charge for the first time, in the CIS Cup 2nd sound at home to Arbroath. A Marius Nicuale double and Dennis Wyness strike gave Inverness a 3-1 win and a safe passage through to the next round, with Steven Watt given his debut and only game of the season. With the transfer window nearing a close, new boss Brewster quickly moved to capture 3 players: Malkowski joined on loan from Hibs for the season to prove competition for Fraser in goals, Phil McGuire joined on loan and David Proctor returned to the club on a 2 year deal. The versatile player can play defence and midfield and returned for his second spell at the club.
September, started with the new managers first league game in charge away to Hibernian, ironically exactly the same venue where he started his first spell with the club. He started himself after scoring 2 for Aberdeen the week before against Hibernian. Unfortunately Hibernian spoiled the return with a 2nd minute penalty after a Stuart McCaffrey handball. Phil McGuire came on as a sub for the injured McCaffrey, and managed to pick his first of many bookings this season.
A week off due to International football, gave Brewster a chance to take his time for the next team selection, away to league leaders Celtic. Even though Celtic thrashed Inverness 5-0, the team gave it a go. David Proctor got his first game back for the club aswell.
After 6 straight losses to start the season, would Inverness get anything at home to Hearts on the 22nd September? An Ian Black own goal gave Hearts a 1-0 half time lead. However the 2nd Inverness the 3pts. Brewster’s overhead kick was a joy to watch and finally we were off the mark. On Wednesday it was back to CIS Cup action and Gretna were brushed aside with a 3-0 victory with goals from Bayne, Wilson and Wyness. Inverness had a 3rd home game in a row against Falkirk on the 29th and recorded their 2nd Inverness half was much better from the home team. Dennis Wyness equalised and then Morgan and Brewster came on as subs to combine to give successive league victory with a 4-2 win. Wyness, Duncan and Black made it 3-2 to and Wyness ensured the victory. So finally we were off the mark, and not too bad a September apart from the 5-0 loss to Celtic.
October would not turn out great with just 1 win. Games against Kilmarnock are always high scoring, and on the 6th October the teams shared a 4-goal thriller, with an own goal and Don Cowie opening his account for the club. Another break for internationals then it was time to entertain Aberdeen on the 21st, a team we still have to beat. Malkowski was given the goalkeepers jersey for the first time in a league game. Aberdeen took the lead after only 8 minutes with a fumble from Malkowski, but Wyness equalised in the 2nd half. Wyness has been making up for no-goals Niculae recently it seems. We seemed happy to settle for a point until yes you guessed it, we lost the lead after a Tokely own goal. Another match against Aberdeen ends in defeat.
Gretna were next up, and then we would have played everyone in the SPL once. Away from home, this was a daunting trip, but the players put on a professional display to dispose of the Raydale side 4-0. Wyness scored within 90 seconds which settled the nerves. Also Cowie, Wilson and a McBain wonder strike made sure of the win and gave Inverness 10pts out of 11 games, not bad after a terrible start. We ended the month on CIS cup duty again, this time away to Aberdeen . Inverness were playing in training tops due to the clash in colours. Think it would have been better sending witches to play this match on Halloween as the players sadly forgot to defend, and lost 4-1. Another cup run comes to an end, but we still had the Scottish cup, right??
November; the month it all began. The month started with a 2-0 loss to Rangers, and a rather disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Motherwell which included 2 sending offs (Bayne and Duncan). Was Brewster actually up to the task of taking us forward? The next 5 games certainly showed the fans that Inverness CT can play good football. A scrappy 1-0 home win against St Mirren, thanks to an early Don Cowie strike, set the ball rolling. The next 4 games were against Dundee Utd, Hibernian, Celtic and Hearts. Surely 12pts from these was impossible.
December was the month to remember. The first match of the month away to Dundee Utd, led to a surprise change in formation by Craig Brewster who went for a 5 man midfield, with lonely striker Marius Niculae upfront. John Rankin who had been unhappy at lack of matches, started this game. A great goal by Ian Black, his 2nd of the season gave Inverness CT a surprising 1-0 against a decent Utd side. Then it was back up north to entertain Hibernian, where finally Romanian internationalist Marius Nicuale got off the mark. His double led to a 2-0 victory, and relief more than anything that Marius had finally scored a SPL goal. Another good victory for the highlanders, next it was the mighty Celtic at home.
On the 16th December, Celtic came calling knowing that they had never lost to Inverness CT in a league game. The Setanta cameras were watching the game. It was this month last year where Inverness CT came from a goal down against Rangers to win 2-1 with a last minute wonder strike from John Rankin. The game started slowly with Celtic creating a couple chances, until Jan Vennegor of Hesselink got his head to the ball on the 24th minute. Two minutes he made it two with a curling effort. Surely no way back now. However just before half time, Marius Niculae ran onto a Rankin through ball and even though he got a shot that went over, the referee pulled it back for obstruction by Pressley and gave a penalty. John Rankin coolly slotted the ball home against ex-ICT keeper Mark Brown. 2-1 at half time, game on. Inverness came out in the 2nd half raring to go and equalised through a David Proctor header. Then with 30 mins left on the clock we took a surprise lead. A long ball was played and Don Cowie had great vision to squeeze in between the 2 defenders and stroke the ball past the helpless Mark Brown. Proctor was sent off for a last man challenge on Scott McDonald 7 mins later, but it ended up being a sacrifice worth making, as we held on and got our first ever league win over Celtic. Also that was now 4 wins in a row, and climbing nicely up the table.
Away to Hearts next in the busy December schedule, and another vital victory. Goals from Duncan and Rankin put ICT 2-0 up but Hearts pulled it back. Hearts goalkeeper got sent off, and since they had used all their subs, Lee Wallace went in goals and Hearts scored the equaliser. A Don Cowie cross was met by Bayne who scored a late winner. The winning streak was to come to an end away to Falkirk on Boxing Day with a 1-0 loss in a dull game, but the year finished on a high with a 3-0 home win against Kilmarnock with goals from Nicuale 2 and Cowie. After a very impressive December with victories over top sides, Craig Brewster picked up the SPL manager of the month and Marius Niculae picked up SPL player of the month.
2008 started away to Pittodrie and another loss to Aberdeen . The first home game of the year ended in a 3-0 win over Gretna . Niculae 2 and Rankin. This would end up being Rankin’s last game for the club before moving to Hibernian. He was left out the side earlier in the season and so decided to leave, even though he had been playing recently. Unfortunately that would be out last win until the beginning of April. During that spell we lost to Hibernian in the Scottish Cup 4th round (3-0), Rangers, Motherwell, Hibernian, Celtic, Hearts, Falkirk, Kilmarnock and . The only points were 2 draws with St Mirren and Dundee Utd. 2pts in 10 games was not great, but during that horrific run, Dougie Imrie who signed during January (instead of Graham Dorrans) made his debut against St Mirren and Iain Vigurs made his starting first team debut against Kilmarnock. Aberdeen
April would turn out better starting with a win against Gretna , all be it a scrappy 2-1 victory in front of the lowest ever SPL crowd of 431. Goals from McBain and another Cowie strike ensured a much needed victory. The challenge was now set from Brewster: Wilson, Wyness and Paatelainen would now be playing for new contracts.
The league split and we were in the bottom half again. In the remaining 5 games we would get 2 wins (against Kilmarnock and Gretna) 1 draw (St Mirren) and 2 losses ( Falkirk and Hearts). Special mention to the Gretna game as we recorded our biggest ever SPL victory with a 6-1 thrashing with 6 different scorers. Goals from Imrie (31 secs), McAllister, Wilson , Cowie, Tokely and a first goal for substitute Vigurs.
The season would end at home to St Mirren, and with it the last game for Dennis Wyness and Richie Hart, but was it the last game for Niculae? And anyone else? Only time will tell.
Special mention to Marius Nicuale who after a successful second half of the season was selected for Romania in Euro 2008. My player of the season was Don Cowie. Also to Alan Savage who left us in April after the Gretna win. Welcome aboard George Fraser as the new chairman and I am sure it will be next season before we, the fans, and see what impact he makes.
Well sorry for boring you to death, realise I wrote far too much but it was just another season in the Highlands . Who knows what next season will bring and where it will take us.
