The SFA video review panel has decided that Juanjo was wrongly dismissed by Dougie McDonald and has rescinded his red card. This makes him available for selection for tomorrow's game at Tannadice.
Juanjo was ordered off in the 17th minute of last week's match at Pittodrie against Celtic by Referee Dougie McDonald after the intervention of 4th official Alan Freeland who indicated that he had seen an incident between Juanjo and Celtic's Neil Lennon. At that point the score was still 0-0 . Celtic went on to win 3-1. Caley Thistle boss John Robertson remained supportive of Juanjo both after the match and since, questioning the reasoning given by the 4th official for the red card. "The fourth official says he saw a movement of Juanjo's head towards Lennon, but that is clearly not what happened in this incident." said Robertson on BBC Scotland.
Juanjo's clearance of the offence will mean he is eligible to play at Tannadice in the match against Dundee United.
SPL entry put paid to league derbies so this CIS cup clash was a bonus. The match was played amidst heavy rain and Caley Thistle were on top throughout. In the end the teams were only separated by a superb goal from ‘Man of the Match’ Ross Tokely.
Roy McBain and Richie Hart were rested for ICT and their places were taken by Russell Duncan and Steve Hislop. Juanjo played pending an appeal against Sunday’s red card.
In six minutes a Graham Bayne shot was held by Stuart Garden then a Barry Wilson effort cannoned off Hislop and ran past.
Liam Keogh hit high from 25 yards in 10 minutes then County’s John Rankin did the same from a free kick at the other end. A Juanjo free kick curled wide in 12 minutes then Garden took a Wilson low shot at the post in 18 minutes.
Sean Kilgannon had a chance for County in 22 minutes but he was off-balance and shot wide. Two minutes later a Wilson curling free kick from wide right reached Bayne but he headed wide.
Mark Brown punched out in 27 minutes to set up Mark McCulloch but the ex-Caley Thistle captain drove wide. County’s best chance came in 37 minutes when a defensive slip let in Alex Burke but he hit past.
In the run up to the break ICT had chance after chance – Wilson hit over, Keogh blasted high, Juanjo struck wide from an angle, Bayne headed off-target then Grant Munro shot over from the rebound.
Half Time: 0-0
The pattern continued after the restart with Hislop chipping just over, Juanjo doing the same then Wilson and Bayne both hitting high. A poor pass back led to a sliced clearance from Garden and the concession of a corner on the right. Wilson’s kick was headed goalwards by Ross Tokely at the near post and it was 1-0.
There was little else on target at either end with the closest effort coming four minutes from time. Wilson sent over a low cross from the right and Hislop’s low header was cleared at the back post. County had few chances but Sean Higgins did hit wide close to the whistle.
Full Time: 0-1
A good night’s work and the hope of a home third round tie at Caledonian Stadium.
Same old County, always in our shadow.
This was the big one - at ‘home’ to the champions in the SPL and live on Setanta TV. It turned out to be a day of drama and excitement but it ended in disappointment for the vast Caley Thistle support.
John Robertson made one change to the line-up with Barry Wilson starting and Steve Hislop reverting to the bench. Chris Sutton was missing from the Celtic line-up through injury but new signing Senegalese striker Henri Camara made his first start.
Celtic came out on top thanks to a wonder strike from Stan Petrov and a double from John Hartson but the defining moment of the afternoon was the 17th minute red card for ICT’s Juanjo.
The home side started confidently and Juanjo hit over in the first minute. Mark Brown saved from Alan Thompson and Petrov then pressure on the Celtic goal ended with headed clearances by Bobo Balde and Petrov. Camara hit past the post then Celtic ‘keeper David Marshall had to come out of his area to head away from Juanjo in 16 minutes.
The Spaniard’s game came to an end a minute later when he clashed with Neil Lennon. TV evidence confirmed that Lennon hit out at Juanjo after an accidental collision then Juanjo pushed Lennon’s chest. The Celt went down clutching his nose and fourth official Alan Freeland brought the incident to the attention of the referee – both he and his assistants saw nothing but a red card was produced for the Spaniard and Lennon received no punishment. Shameless cheating from Lennon.
[note: the red card was later rescinded]
Despite protests the decision stood and it was an uphill struggle for Caley Thistle after that. The team responded well and put up a great show but Celtic took advantage of the extra man in 25 minutes when Hartson headed in a Didier Agathe cross to make it 1-0.
Mark Brown was in fine form and he saved from Thompson in 29 minutes and Camara three minutes later. At the other end Marshall saved from Barry Wilson in 40 minutes but it fell for Liam Keogh – he shot over from 18 yards.
A Roy McBain corner in 42 minutes led to some confusion then a penalty award for hand-ball by Balde. It seemed a soft award but Wilson stepped up, sent Marshall the wrong way and it was 1-1. Stan Varga headed over at the other end and it remained 1-1 at the break.
Half Time: 1-1
The second half was virtually all Celtic. Hartson headed wide in 52 minutes then a minute later Brown brilliantly tipped over an 18 yard shot from Hartson. The second soft penalty of the match came in 67 minutes when Grant Munro’s arm made contact with the ball but Brown dived to his right to deny Petrov.
In the aftermath Ross Wallace crossed from the left and Petrov was there to score with a marvellous angled strike from the edge of the box. Hartson sealed it in 76 minutes when Brown parried a Joos Valgaeren shot and he was there to score from the rebound.
A Richie Hart curling free kick in 83 minutes was missed by everyone and three minutes from time Thompson hit the bar with a 25 yard free kick.
After three minutes of added time an Ian Black corner led to an old-fashioned stramash in the Celtic box, two shots blocked then a third saved by Marshall.
Full Time: 1-3
Celtic deserved their victory but with ten men it was a hard task for Caley Thistle. The teams have now met four times in competitive games and it is two games each.
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Inverness CT: 1
Team: Brown, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Golabek, Wilson (Prunty 70), Hart, Keogh, McBain (Black 81), Juanjo, Bayne (Hislop 65).
Subs Not Used: Dods, Duncan, Proctor, Fraser.
Booked: McBain, Hart, Hislop. - Sent Off: Juanjo (18).
Goal: Wilson 44 pen.
Celtic: 3
Team: Marshall, Agathe, Varga, Balde (Laursen 84), Valgaeren, Petrov (Lambert 80), Lennon, Thompson, Wallace (Pearson 80), Hartson, Camara.
Subs Not Used: Douglas, McGeady, Cuthbert, McManus.
Goals: Hartson 25, Petrov 68, Hartson 76.
Att: 8,736
Ref: D McDonald
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Another historic day for the club – the first ‘home’ match at Pittodrie, the first SPL goal (from Stuart Golabek) and, most important of all, the first SPL win.
The players were stung by the negative press coverage of last week’s defeat and they reacted in style to earn a well-deserved victory against the Pars.
John Robertson made changes with Barry Wilson and Russell Duncan dropping to the bench and Richie Hart and Juanjo starting. In the event Barry Wilson came on in the 23rd minute to replace the injured Steve Hislop.
Dunfermline had travelled to Iceland in midweek on UEFA Cup business but fatigue was never an excuse – Caley Thistle could, of course, have been the Icelandic travellers if last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final had gone the other way.
Early shots from Juanjo put pressure on the Pars then Golabek scored a captain’s goal in the 12th minute. His fourth goal for the club came after a run from nearly the halfway line and an angled 20 yard shot – Derek Stillie could only push it onto the far post and watch it bounce into the net.
Minutes later a Roy McBain curling ball gave Graham Bayne a chance but it came to nothing. Dunfermline began to press and Noel Hunt hit over Mark Brown and the bar. Brown made a number of good stops before the break but in the second half ICT ran the show.
Half Time: 1-0
The all-important second goal came from Juanjo in 70 minutes. Barry Wilson ran down the right then cut the ball back into the box – it went beyond Juanjo but the Spaniard stretched to hit it past two defenders and Stillie from just outside the six-yard area.
Full Time: 2-0
The long trip back from the far east was a happy one for the ICT fans.
Inverness CT: 2
Team: Brown, Tokely, McCaffrey, McBain, Golabek, Keogh, Hart, Munro, Juanjo (Prunty 88), Bayne, Hislop (Wilson 23).
Subs Not Used: Fraser, Dods, Duncan, Proctor, Black.
Goals: Golabek (12), Juanjo (70).
Dunfermline: 0
Team: Stillie, Shields, Scott Wilson, Skerla, Byrne (Darren Young 45), Dempsey, Nicholson, Mason, Scott Thomson, Hunt (Donnelly 71), Brewster (Mehmet 75).
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Lyle, Labonte, McKeown.
Booked: Scott Wilson.
Att: 1,972
Ref: T Brown
An historic day in the short life of Inverness Caledonian Thistle but, in the end, bitter disappointment. The meeting of the two clubs in the SPL completed a piece of Scottish football history – Livingston and ICT became the first clubs to meet in all four divisions.
Unfortunately for Inverness it was not the introduction to the SPL that they wanted, but a lesson learned for the future, and one they would heed.
As Vera Lynn once said: We'll Meet Again
SAT 7th AUGUST 2004
ALMONDVALE STADIUM
LIVINGSTON
3 (O’Brien 44, Easton 57, Lovell 66)
Team: McKenzie, McNamee, Rubio, Dorado, Boyack, O’Brien, Easton, McLaughlin, Lilley, Lovell, Libbra (Hamilton 65)
Subs – McMenamin, Dair, Brittain, Snowdon, Bahoken & Meldrum
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE
0
Team: Brown, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Golabek, Wilson, Duncan (Hart 58), Keogh, McBain (Black 65), Hislop (Juanjo 58), Bayne
Subs – Dods, Proctor, Prunty & Fraser
Referee
C Richmond
Attendance
3310
Man of the Match
Stuart Lovell
A new SPL rule meant that seven substitutes were named but only three could play.
Caley Thistle started brightly and in the second minute a Russell Duncan header was only partly cleared and the ball fell to Liam Keogh – from 15 yards he shot high. In nine minutes Livi’s Scott McLaughlin raced down the left, found Steve Boyack and his ball across goal came off the woodwork. Wilson hit low and just wide of the Livi goal and a David McNamee shot was blocked. Burton O’Brien hit wide in 33 minutes after Mark Brown pushed down a cross then Brown held a shot from Derek Lilley. With the half-time whistle only seconds away Livi made the breakthrough when McCaffrey tried to head back to Brown. Communications broke down as the ‘keeper came out and O’Brien only had to tap in to the empty goal for 1-0.
Half Time: 1-0
The second half was mostly Livingston but in 54 minutes Steve Hislop set Wilson up one-on-one with Roddy McKenzie but it fell to his left foot and he hit wide. It was no surprise when Livi extended their lead in 57 minutes. Boyack sprinted down the right, neatly rounded Golabek then his low ball was turned in at the near post by Easton. Substitute Richie Hart tried from 25 yards in 63 minutes but it went wide then McKenzie held a deflected Hart effort from long range. The third goal in 66 minutes was a simple one as Lovell and Jim Hamilton combined to walk through the defence – Lovell touched it in from close-range. ICT created a couple of good late chances when a curling Hart free kick was headed over by Tokely then a McCaffrey lob gave Bayne an opening – Rubio stepped in quickly to clear. With two minutes added time on the clock Lilley headed wide and it stayed 3-0.
Full Time: 3-0
A bad start to the season and a taste of the level of football to expect in the coming months.
Welcome to the SPL!
Football Focus asked us to nominate the club's cult heroes. They received thousands of emails and Caley Thistle's top three, as chosen by the fans, were ...............
Football Focus asked us to nominate the club's cult heroes.They received thousands of emails and Caley Thistle's top three, as chosen by the fans, were:
Charlie Christie
Dennis Wyness
Jimmy Calder
Now they want you to honour one of these players with the title of Caley Thistle's all-time cult hero. To vote, simply text the player's SURNAME to 81111. They will reveal the winner on Saturday 14th August's Football Focus. Operators' standard text rates apply.
Here are some of the comments received:
CHARLIE CHRISTIE
Charlie has class about his play and that little bit of arrogance on the ball that goes with it. He is a cult figure to many because it was clear that a moment of brilliance from him could turn a match - and it frequently did. He is also in this category because of his dedication to the club - he could quite easily have returned to the 'big time' as he was certainly good enough, but he stayed loyal to his hometown team and helped guide us through the divisions.
Scott MacKenzie
Legend
Tichy Black's Back
If you need to ask why, get back to whatever planet you've been living on.
Caley D
He could turn a game in his day, and there was a definite buzz of 'Charlie's coming on things will get better now' when he was brought on.
gordyfromsneck
Exceptional player to come out of the Highlands. Gave absolutely everything to the club as a player and still does now as backroom staff.
Queen Beastie
He was simply class.
G Man
To vote for Charlie Christie text CHRISTIE to 81111.
DENNIS WYNESS
Cult hero doesn't necessarily mean charisma - remember he was a hero to a lot of fans - "he used to be sh**e but now he's alright" is a classic chant.
Scotty
An excellent goalscorer and professional.
caley_holiday
For sheer class in front of goals and such an unassuming, likeable individual.
Donview_1903
It is unlikely you will find a Caley Thistle supporter who won't smile when his name is mentioned and I have yet to meet one who had anything bad to say about him. Even though he now plays for Hearts. Dennis also won a lot of new admirers by turning down the opportunity to go to Hearts at Xmas during the 2002/03 season and instead be loyal to the club and fans that showed faith in his abilities when others doubted him.
Scott Mackenzie
To vote for Dennis Wyness text WYNESS to 81111.
JIMMY CALDER
Don't think we have ever had such an entertaining player, even when he had a bad game he always made me smile with his ventures all over the park.
Caley D
Runs out of defence, sitting on the bar, saving at least 50% of penalties against him.
ICTChris
It has to be Jimmy Calder. He's playing for Nairn County now and he came on as a sub against QPR and within 5 mins he had tackled a forward and went on a run down the left wing. Ah! the memories.
CaleyNairnite
We will never see another keeper like him - absolute Legend.
KingBeastie
After a rocky start at Caley Thistle Jimmy won fans over with his tremendous performances - not bad for a fat lad that worked as a brickie !!! Remember when he sat on the crossbar whilst playing for Inverness Thistle in a fairly one-sided match !!!
Scott MacKenzie
Just SOOOPERB, never a dull moment.
Oats
I never thought I could grow to love a ex-Thistle player so much. He was great entertainment and was the best keeper I have ever seen at saving penalties. I was always confident he was going to save it, rather than worrying the opponent was going to score it.
Stomach
To vote for Jimmy Calder text CALDER to 81111
Caley Thistle and Rapsons coaches have just announced details of the subsidised busses that will be run for the duration of season 2004/05 ... Rapsons will provide a free bus for the team and a fans fare of five pounds return ...
Playing ‘home' matches at a place like Pittodrie Stadium may not come cheap - but at least Caley Thistle now know they won't have to fork-out for the long journey to and from Aberdeen.
Having provided Inverness Caledonian Thistle's official team bus for the last 10 years, Rapsons Coaches has decided to offer free travel to the club for all its ‘home' matches in Aberdeen. It means Caley Thistle's ground-sharing with Aberdeen FC won't cost the Inverness club a penny more in travel expenses.
The journeys to away games mean Caley Thistle is already one of the farthest-traveled football clubs in Scotland, but the players and officials now also face a 200-mile round trip for every ‘home' match in Aberdeen.
Rapsons Chairman, Sandy Rapson says he felt Caley Thistle had enough on their plate without having to worry about a big increase in travel expenses: "By the time you include a decent cup run, Caley Thistle could be looking at between 20 and 30 additional 200-mile return journeys.
"We are so proud of the club for having won promotion to the SPL, and for having bent-over backwards to meet the league's requirements. It is going to be a struggle this season, and free travel for all the ‘home' games was one obvious way in which we could help. I hope it will be one less thing for the club to worry about.
"Come on, Caley Thistle!"
ICT Chairman Ken Mackie said:
"This is a magnificent gesture by Sandy Rapson and his company. We very much appreciate their continued support which removes one financial burden from our club for next season. The challenge ahead is enormous, but with the continued support of Highland businesses such as Rapsons and our fabulous support, the anticipation is mounting. ICT at Pittodrie is a challenge we face with relish!"
In addition to providing the official team bus for all home games, agreement has also been reached between the Club and Rapsons to provide supporters buses at preferential rates.
Announcing the arrangement, Ken Mackie commented:
"At the end of last season we promised supporters that we would do all we could to assist in transport matters. Once again thanks to Rapsons we will be in position to deliver affordable transport to all home games next season. The club will co-ordinate this provision in partnership with the supporters club, with an advance booking system being operated."
He continued:
"A Fare structure of £5 return for adults and £3 for children will we hope be well received. The club will now make contact with the companies who have offered to sponsor transport in the hope that they are now in a position to commit to arrangements. This fantastic offer should complete the package."
The news was welcomed by Supporters Club Secretary Mairi MacLean:
"We are happy that the arrangements have been finalised and welcome the pricing structure. Hopefully once sponsorship is secured, the booking system finalised and times arranged, we can relax and look forward to the voyage!"
