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Barry Wilson Testimonial v Liverpool

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BARRY KOPS A HUGE DRAW FOR TESTIMONIAL Caley Thistle midfielder Barry Wilson has signed up what could be the biggest football name ever to hit Inverness when a Liverpool XI visit the Caledonian Stadium on Monday August 18th for his testimonial match.
This will give local football fans as well as a huge number of visitors to the city the opportunity to see one of the most successful clubs in the history of European football meet head to head with the Inverness's SPL side.
The match, which is expected to be a huge crowd puller, is a major coup for the fleet footed winger who has played such a decisive part in Caley Thistle's rise up the leagues all the way from the Third Division.
"I was so pleased to get a testimonial and the icing on the cake certainly has to be attracting a huge club the size of Liverpool for the game to Inverness," he said. "Already I just know that the occasion will give football fans up here a night to remember and the atmosphere in the stadium will be fantastic. I've already had a great dinner, there's a golf day coming up at the end of June and then we're going to have the climax of this major draw for the testimonial match. I'm just delighted"
It's been a busy few months for Barry's testimonial committee who have put together an attractive range of events, including also a sell out dinner in March and a golf day next month, but this one tops them all.
Tickets have been attractively priced at £15 for adults and £7 for children with a special family offer of two adults and two children for £40. These will be on sale to priority groups (Caley Thistle season ticket holders, shareholders, centenary club, supporters' trust and supporters' club members) from Monday 12th May and any unsold tickets, including away stand tickets, will go on general release from Monday 19th May at the Caledonian Stadium ticket office.
Barry Wilson first signed for Caley Thistle in 1996 after spells at Ross County, Southampton and Raith Rovers. His time in Inverness has been split by three years at Livingston and he has played a central role in Caley Thistle's rise from Division 3 to the SPL.
His 336 appearances have been surpassed only by Ross Tokely and he has scored 82 goals, a figure which only Dennis Wyness now heads. These include one each in the famous 3-1 victory at Celtic Park in 2000 and in the win by the same score over St. Johnstone which secured SPL status in 2004.
And he's still going strong. Just last Saturday Barry scored the goal of the game for Caley Thistle in their record breaking 6-1 home win over Gretna in the SPL.
Very much a fans' favourite, Barry's status with the ICT support should certainly guarantee a massive crowd on a huge night for Inverness football on August 18th.
Guest
By Guest in News 2007-08 ·

Inverness CT 6-1 Gretna - SPL

Caley Thistle ran out rampant 6-1 winners over Gretna at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
It took only 31 seconds to grab the lead with a goal from Dougie Imrie. Rory McAllister made it 2-0 in 23 minutes. Gretna scored in 27 minutes to make it close at the half but 4 second half goals for the Caley Jags allowed ICT to record the second highest scoreline of the season in the SPL.
03/05/08 Tulloch Caledonian stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE 6 Imrie (37 secs), McAllister (23), Wilson (51), Cowie (70), Tokely (88), Vigurs (90) Team: Malkowski, Tokely, Proctor, Hastings, McBain, Wilson (Vigurs 80), Black (Kerr 85), Cowie, Imrie, Niculae, McAllister (Bayne 65) SUBS: Wyness, Duncan, Hart, Fraser
GRETNA 1 Hogg (27) Team: Fleming, Barr, Meynell, Griffiths, Skelton, Deverdics, Hall (Wilkinson 62), Hogg (Taylor 69), McGill (Fisher 82), Osman, Naughton SUBS: Robinson, Murray, Scultz-Eklund, Sharples
Referee Iain Brines Attendance 3639 From Site:
That's about as easy as it gets, I think.  We cut Gretna open whenever we could be bothered, and once we got Bayne on in the last 20 minutes we started causing havoc.  Mostly great goals...
1. Great defence splitting pass puts Cowie in behind, he keeps his head and squares for Imrie to tap in.  30 seconds gone by my stopwatch.
2. Niculae's powerful header wonderfully saved by Fleming, but Rory shows unheard of athleticism to head in the rebound.
Gretna goal - appalling marking at a set play, Tokely misses the header and Hogg flicks it in from six yards.  Could Zibi have stopped it?  I'll give him the benefit of the doubt - it was at close range.
3. Bazza, mate, that was a corker.  20 yards out, he steadied himself and hammered it into the keeper's bottom right hand corner.  Magnificent goal, as good as any we've scored this season.
4. Great break by Imrie down the left, and he stood it up beautifully for Cowie to crack home on the volley - great technique from Chipper.  Defence gave him all the time in the world to finish it off, mind.
5. Tokely gets on the end of a corner to head it in.  Not much power on it, how it went in I have no idea.
6. Vigurs!!!  Smashing volley on the turn after another Imrie run and cross.
Gretna were utterly guff, but you can only beat what's put in front of you.  We were pretty nonchalant in the first half, but only looked vaguely in trouble when defending set plays.  Brew may have given them a kick up the rear end at the break.  Commendations today for Imrie, Cowie and particularly Bazza who looked very classy indeed. 
I suspect, even despite his goal, that there may still be criticisms of young Rory, and I have to say that I've seen glaciers that move faster and sloths that put in more effort than he did today.  He's like Steven Hislop but without the work rate.  Still, he got a goal and that's what he's supposed to do.
That's about as easy as it gets, I think.  We cut Gretna open whenever we could be bothered, and once we got Bayne on in the last 20 minutes we started causing havoc.  Mostly great goals...
 
Guest
By Guest in Reports 2007-08 ·

Hearts 0-1 Inverness CT - SPL

Caley Thistle travelled to Tynecastle off the back of 2 victories and some much improved performances.
Unfortunately, this game turned out to be a pretty drab affair that had 0-0 written all over it until Hearts youngster Gary Glen played a nice one-two before slotting the ball away on the 80th minute. Caley Thistle stay in 9th spot and now wait for the visit of Gretna on Saturday.
26/04/08 Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 1 (Gary Glen 80) Team: Banks, Thomson, Karipidis, Berra, Goncalves, Jonsson, Palazuelos, Cesnauskis (Wallace 52), Mikoliunas, Elliot (Zaliukas 76), Glen (Robinson 92) SUBS: Screpis, Rapnik, Ivaskevicius, Ridgers
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, Proctor, Hastings, McBain, Wilson (Paatelainen 72), Duncan, Imrie, Cowie, Wyness (Bayne 65), Niculae (McAllister 83) SUBS: Vigurs, Black, Kerr, Malkowski
Referee Dougie McDonald Attendance 15,423 Immortal Howden Ender has this Starometer for us. He's no a happy bunny.
Fraser  **** Looked very assured today and saved us from a much bigger defeat - Impressed - MOM
Rosscoe  ** Real Jekyll and Hyde performance
Proctor  ** Despite what the eejit Brewster may think - he proved today that he is not a central defender.
Hastings  ** If only Caley 100 was here - he would have been crucified - Sturdy enuff defensively but hoof hoof hoof.
McBain -  ***: Looked good in the first half but went a bit Invisible in the second - but that is Ok at left back - Worth a run here as I had strenuously advocated.
Bazza -  ** Struggled - why is he playing him from the start - he is a half hour man away from home  :029:
Cowie  ** can someone tell me where he was supposed to be playing. Brewster is totally wasting him.
Duncan  ***: Excellent defensively until he is forced to pass !!!  :029:
Imrie  *** Played his heart out but still looks like an SFL player in the SPL.
Wyness  * Bye Bye Denzil - why did you last so long today - ANSWER - Brewster humiliation.
Niculae  ** Usual totally ineffective away performance.
I am NOT going to say anything about the subs 
BREWSTER was totally INEPT tactically - we went 4-4-2 when it was crying out for a 4-5-1.  :018: :018: :018:
He played Marius as the hole and Wyness and Bayne as the front men - FECKIN RIDICULOUS.   What a feckin waste - Marius played a few good touches but did bugger all  :023: :023:
Brew actually appeared to be taunting Black - The game totally cried out for his introduction. Brew is an arrogant power mad .......... censored 
Guest
By Guest in Reports 2007-08 ·

Club Press Release - New Chairman

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NEW ICTFC CHAIRMAN APPOINTED Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC announced today (Thursday) the unanimous appointment of director George Fraser as the new club chairman. He succeeds Alan Savage who announced last week he was stepping down.
Mr Fraser, who has been on the board for almost three years, is managing director for Scotland of construction group Rok, overseeing almost 1000 employees and multi-million pound contracts. 
His appointment coincided with his 54th birthday today (Thursday). Mr Fraser said:"It is with both humility and commitment that I have accepted this task. This club has brought SPL football to the Highlands and has shown how to operate in a sensible fashion. We want to sustain top flight football for our city and the North of Scotland. Keeping us at that level has to be our basic policy target as we look towards our fifth SPL campaign in August. We will build beyond that target if possible, for we must always have aspirations to achieve even more on the field of play. This summer Craig Brewster has the opportunity to build further to place his own imprint upon the squad. We have local youngsters like Jamie Duff and Dale Gillespie stepping up to the first team pool next season, our reserve team is close to the top of the SPL Reserve League and our youth teams at various age groups show considerable promise. So there is a firm foundation on which to further build our club and bring it even closer to the community. We must also have aspirations off the pitch - to be innovative and continually raise quality standards in every way in which we service our fans, our sponsors, our advertisers and the youngsters who comprise our future fan base. Vice chairman Graeme Bennett commented: "The board are delighted that George has agreed to fill the vacancy. The fact that we don't have to go outwith the club gives us continuity, which is important. George has an outstanding track record in business and he brings those strengths to his new role. A sportsman at heart he will be a very safe pair of hands, he's shown vision and leadership in industry, and his style is collaborative. Filling the post so promptly gives George time to work with his fellow directors and manager Craig Brewster in finalising a framework for season 2008-09." Mr Fraser is a shinty legend, winning nine Camanachd Cup winners medals with Newtonmore, and served as a director of the Camanachd Association. A keen golfer, he was on the organising committee for the Walker Cup match at Nairn Golf Club.
Guest
By Guest in News 2007-08 ·

Statement - Orion Group

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CaleyThistleOnline.com have received a statement from the Orion Group which they have asked us to publish on the site. The statement makes a point regarding Alan Savage's resignation as chairman of ICTFC and also some clarification regarding the company's involvement in the contract of Marius Niculae.
As with any statement we publish on this site, either from the club itself or individuals associated with the club, we have provided the statement in full and unedited so that fans can make up their own minds about its content without any journalistic bias or spin.
Statement
“In light of various reports in the press, on TV and Saturday’s programme against Kilmarnock Orion would like to confirm that Alan Savage’s resignation from ICTFC on the 9th of April was with immediate effect.
We would also like to point out that the signing of Marius Niculae was a unanimous decision of the ICTFC board on the recommendation of the then Manager Charlie Christie.
Further it should be noted that at no time has the Orion Group or Alan Savage made any payments to Marius Niculae in respect of a signing on fee, wages or anything else whatsoever.“
Guest
By Guest in News 2007-08 ·

Inverness CT 3-0 Kilmarnock - SPL

Despite Kilmarnock coming out of the blocks the quickest to test ICT Goalkeeper Michael Fraser they did little else to threaten the Caley Jags for the remainder of the game.
A fine free-kick from Dougie Imrie saw him score his first goal for the club. The second goal was awarded as an o.g. to Lilley and we'll have to wait for the television replay, but there's every chance that McBain had a foot on it.
Marius Niculae scored the third with a World Class finish on 79 minutes, and got booked for jumping the hoardings to celebrate in front of a Romanian flag. All in all it was a successful day at the office.
19/04/08 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE 3 Imrie (10) Lilley OG (71) Niculae (79) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Proctor, Munro (Paatelainen 86), Hastings, Wilson (Hart 72), McBain, Cowie, Imrie, Niculae (McAllister 86), Wyness SUBS: Vigurs, Black, Kerr, Malkowski
KILMARNOCK 0 Team: Combe, Fowler, Lilley, Hay, O'Leary, Clancy, Invincible, Flannigan, Locke (Hammil 63), Wales (Dalglish 60), Fernandaz (Di Giacomo 68) SUBS: Rascle, Murray, Ford, McInnes
Referee A Muir Attendance 3420 This was the first of our post-split fixtures and as has been the case since the introduction of the split setup the run in to the end of the season becomes an almost meaningless affair, even more so this season as events at Gretna have already confirmed them as taking the drop. Things haven’t been too great at ICT since the start of the year with only 2 wins, both against Gretna, to be shown for “efforts” on the park, so I went in to this game with very little expectation and simply wanting to see some entertaining football and a bit of team cohesiveness and fight. Some indication that we were making the turn and starting to get things back on track seemed to be the common wish for those who ha met up before the match for a swift pint (or four) before heading to the Stadium.
The meeting in the Innes turned up a surprise visitor for many as Scotty (site owner) had arrived from Canada earlier in the week, and the moment got a little more surreal when it transpired that Canuck, also from Toronto, was to be in attendance. Despite only living a (relatively) short distance from each other in Canada, the Innes Bar was, yet again, to prove to be the International meeting point for ICT fans. With vocal cords suitably lubricated it was off to the game. The sun was shining, spirits were high and with any luck the result wouldn’t spoil the day.
The game got off to a relatively slow start, but Kilmarnock were creating the early chances with Michael Fraser called in to action to tip one over the bar and then see another safely round the post. In fact, things were so slow in the first 10 minutes that we found the idiotic antics of a Steward far more entertaining as he childishly tried to “stare down” the fans in Section G….although it later transpired he might have actually been in a Coma as he had to be woken from his slumber twice by his supervisor….lol. A huge Cheer then erupted from the Caley Jags faithful…oh damn, we’d missed our opening goal…apparently it was a well taken free-kick where Imrie managed to dupe the defensive wall and stick it straight in the back of the net for his first ever ICT goal. Eyes back on the game now, we weren’t going to miss anything else. Their wasn’t much to split the teams during the first 45 minutes of the match other than Caley Thistle creating more chances at the front. Barry Wilson and Dougie Imrie were delivering some great balls into the box, and they were coming with pace which was catching out the Kilmarnock defence...and unfortunately our own players too who have been more used to long balls or floated balls into the area in recent weeks (and months). We were getting contact on the ball, but were a little slow to get the feet off the ground to get above them and send them downwards instead of over the bar. Wyness, Niculae and Cowie all recorded half decent efforts before the half and our back four looked comfortable as they kept Kilmarnock at bay and made it a quiet half for Michael Fraser.
HALF TIME: Inverness CT 1 v 0 Kilmarnock
For the first time in long enough I can’t imagine Brewster would have had too much to shout about during the break. The first half had been slow, but it was controlled and the team were playing as a unit. If anything Brewster would be asking them to just pick up the pace a little. Both teams came on for the second half looking as if they were going to lift the tempo, but still Kilmarnock had little to offer in the final third of the pitch, and had it not been for their defensive it could have easily turned into a more comprehensive battering. Tokely was first to get a shot away within a minute of the re-start when he found himself with the ball on the right and he stuck his head down and made for goal. His shot from just inside the 18 yard box going narrowly wide on the left. The longer the game went on, the more comfortable ICT looked on the ball and the more Kilmarnock fell out of it. We were getting the ball down and passing it well in all areas of the park. Wilson and Imrie were commanding the wide areas, Cowie was sitting comfortable in the centre and McBain was covering ground like a man possessed…not in a long time have I seen one player appear in so many places on the park, and he was doing it with real purpose creating chances like they were going out of fashion. His rewards were to come in the 71st minute when his perseverance saw him chasing down a ball and pressuring Kilmarnock’s Lilley. Hard to tell who got the final touch on the ball, but no doubt at all that it beat a scrambling Combe to go in at the bottom corner to make it 2-0 to Caley Thistle.
So far we’d seen Tokely miss narrowly wide and head one over, a Wilson shot saved, a Wyness lob tipped over the bar and Cowie shot also go over…so we were creating plenty of chances and getting our rewards. Wilson had taken a knock around about the hour mark so it wasn’t surprising to see him substituted in the 72nd minute. With Hart having already signed a pre-contract with Ross County for next season it was a little surprising to see him come on to the field and being 2 goals up it would have been nice to see one of the younger lads getting a chance, but que sera…Hart came on and slotted in well without upsetting the controlled and effective formation we’d been displaying all afternoon. Wyness hadn’t having his typical type game and looked a bit rusty when it came to the twists and turns we expect, but he had been doing a great job of holding up the ball and allowing us to get forward in numbers to support. This had been showing for almost the entire game when we seemed to have 5 or 6 guys in or around the goal for every cross ball and attacking play.
A double corner was to lead to our next goal. Kilmarnock cleared the first but it came straight back at them and they were forced to play it out for a second corner. This too was cleared but not far enough and the ball came back to Niculae who was sitting on the right hand edge of the 18 yard box with only the on rushing keeper between him and the goal. He showed his class by staying composed and lifting the ball over and round Combe to find the back of the net and make it 3-0 for the Highlanders on 79 mins. If anyone ever doubted Niculae's passion for the game or the team then that was firmly put to bed as he showed his appreciation to the fans by jumping the wall to go and meet them in celebration. It might have resulted in the only card of the game, but you can be sure the fans aren’t complaining and chants of “Marius Niculae” were belted forth from the stands…his contract might have been the cause of some tension behind the scenes, but there’s no doubting that he is a firm favourite among the Caley Thistle followers. A double substitution on 86 minutes for ICT saw Niculae and Munro being replaced by McAllister and Paatelainen. Not sure if it was some streetwise antics by Niculae or not, but he made a bit of a meal in leaving the field to run down a little more of the clock, and ensured he shook the referees hand on the way. Both he and Munro were applauded from the park and deservedly so as both had had a great game. The final shot of the game came from Hart from 20 yards out after McAllister looked to pass up the opportunity for himself and send the ball into the middle. Once again Combe denied us a goal, but when your 3-0 up, nobody really cares.
FULL TIME: Inverness CT 3 v 0 Kilmarnock
Overall the game was pretty much what I had been hoping for. It wasn’t the worlds best ever display, but we were solid, we were passing well and creating chances. Our defence was solid at the back for the whole 90 minutes and we were once again playing as a complete unit. One Swallow does not make a summer…but our performance in the last 3 games has been much improved and the signs are there that we are starting to turn the corner. It’s off to Tynecasle next week to play Hearts and I’m sure todays results will go along way to adding a few to the crowd for that one….long may it continue.
Guest
By Guest in Reports 2007-08 ·

ICT v Kilmarnock- PREVIEW

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The split has taken place and for the 4th consecutive season, Inverness CT are in the bottom six. After beating Kilmarnock 3-1 at home on the 29th December, top six was looking like it could be possibly, but after a horrendous run of results which includes a mere 2 wins over Gretna, we find ourselves down to 9th. During that run we lost to Kilmarnock by a miserable 4-1.
We might not have much to play for, but Brewster has lost a lot of fans recently and if they can pick up the majority of points in the last remaining games, he could restore a bit more confidence the fans have in his ability. With Wyness, Paatalainen and Wilson all playing for extended contracts, and McGuire out for the rest of the season, who will get the chance to shine??

Inverness CT v Kilmarnock
Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Saturday 18th April @ 3pm
SPL Referee: Alan Muir Others: Alan Cunningham, Willie Dishington (Assistants) Willie Hornby (4th official).
 
FIXTURES
Saturday 18th April:
Celtic v Aberdeen Falkirk v Gretna Hearts v St Mirren Inverness CT v Kilmarnock
Sunday 19th April:
Dundee Utd v Hibernian (Setanta, 2pm)
 
SPL DONE AND DUSTED ALREADY??
The SPL split was introduced to add extra excitement as relegation threatened teams played each other as do the champion chasers. However the league has only just split and we are looking at a bit of an anti-climax to the end of the season.
In the top six, Rangers and Celtic may be only be separated by a single point, but Rangers have 2 games in hand. If Celtic can take advantage of the hectic schedule of games facing Rangers in the coming weeks then we might just be looking at an exciting end to the top half. Motherwell, Dundee Utd and Hibernian are all competing for the UEFA Cup spot, and with only 2pts separating the three clubs, this could go down to the last day where Hibernian play at home to Motherwell. Aberdeen might only be 6pts behind Hibernian, but I will be very surprised if they achieve higher than 6th place.
What can be said about the bottom six? Not a lot really. With Gretna already relegated and losing their squad, don’t expect them to pick up much points in the last 5 games. Falkirk and Hearts just missed out on top six and will be competing for ‘the best of the rest’ in the bottom six. Inverness CT, Kilmarnock and St Mirren are the other 3 teams and they all still have a chance of raising a few places. There might not be much to excite the fans but if anyone of the 6 teams can win most of their post-split games then it will give the fans some encouragement going into the Summer, Like Inverness CT did 2 years when they won all 5 games and kept 5 clean sheets.
 
RECENT SPL FORM
Inverness CT: WLLLLL
Kilmarnock : DDWLWL
 
PAST MEETINGS
The teams have played a total of 15 times (13 League, 2 Cup) with 56 goals (25 Inverness CT, 31 Kilmarnock ) between them.
Inverness CT: 2 win (2 League, 0 Cup)
Draws: 7 (6 League, 1 Cup)
Kilmarnock : 6 wins (5 League, 1 Cup)
 

PREVIOUS MEETINGS  
17/02/2001 (Scottish Cup 4th Round) INVERNESS CT Kilmarnock : 1-1
Two late goals were the topic of this game. A Barry Robson goal was cancelled out by Garry Hay meaning a replay was to be played.
06/03/2001 (Scottish Cup 4th Round replay) Kilmarnock 2-1 INVERNESS CT:
Even though Davide Xausa put the 1st Division side in front, McGowne and Wright made sure that Kilmarnock were the team to go through. Ally McCoist came on as a sub for Kilmarnock .
23/10/2004 (SPL) Kilmarnock 2-2 INVERNESS CT:
After going down twice Inverness deservedly earned their first away point in the SPL. Barry Wilson cancelled out Murray’s opener but then Kilmarnock went ahead through a good goal by Greer. Craig MacKay wrongly sent off McCaffrey after 51 minutes but even though down to 10 men Inverness worked hard and deservedly Liam Fox scored his first ever goal for Inverness with a late equaliser.
04/01/2005 (SPL) INVERNESS CT 0-2 Kilmarnock :
ICT ended their stay at Pittodrie with a loss as Killie stopped the good form the team were in. 2 goals by Invincible late on meant Inverness started 2005 off bad. The team could have played better according to some of the ICT fans on the Message Board.
 
FACTS BETWEEN THE TEAMS All League meetings between the teams have taken place in the SPL. Inverness CT were unbeaten in their first 4 SPL matches at Rugby Park. The last game between these sides was a 5 goal disaster for Inverness as they lost 4-1 away at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock were the last team Inverness CT beat aside from Gretna , and that was far too long ago, on the 29th December!! This is the first season since Inverness ’s first in the SPL (2004/2005) that both have finished in the bottom six.  
TEAM NEWS
For Inverness CT, Phil McGuire has undergone an operation and will miss the last 5 games of the season. This could open the way for either Steven Watt who is still to play his first SPL game or David Proctor who has played in the centre of defence this season a few times. Grant Munro is back from suspension, however Russell Duncan remains suspended. Ian Black according to some papers is suspended, but according to others he isn’t, so just keep your eyes peeled for the team sheet for the answer to that. The rift between Black and Brewster has apparently been resolved. According to reports Wyness, Wilson and Paatelainen will all have a chance to win a new contract in the remaining 5 games to stay on at Inverness CT.
Kilmarnock take the trek North without Craig Bryson, Willie Gibson, Frazer Wright and ex-Inverness player Alan Morgan who all underwent operations for next season. Allan Johnston has a knock and Corrigan is 50/50.
Guest
By Guest in Previews 2007-08 ·

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