Skip to content

Articles

Our website articles
Show all categories

Inverness CT -V- Ayr United - Preview

Ayr Pressure
 
With our Premiership aspirations hanging by a thread, we entertain Ayr United on Saturday with our winless run having been extended to eight games after the 3-3 draw with Partick Thistle, albeit an improved performance, but the end result all too familiar recently. The game is scheduled for 3:00pm on Saturday, weather permitting, with storms due in midweek. Dudley seems to have bypassed Inverness, but Eunice is coming, so fingers crossed it misses us as well, however, snow is forecast so beware. Storm Ayr are coming North fresh from retaining the bragging rights after their excellent derby win over Killie; no pressure then.
Weather update: Snowing fairly heavy in Sneck on Friday morning, so if it's starting to lie here then the A9 will be worse. Take care out there if you are travelling to the game and keep checking for updates. ❄️
MATCH/TICKET/STREAMING INFO
OFFICIAL PREVIEW
STARS OF THE FUTURE
Venue - Head2Head Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 21 10 10 1 35 20 +15 Away 22 10 5 7 42 28 +14 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 43 20 15 8 77 48 +29 Last 10 Competitive Meetings
2 - 2
(A)
1 - 0
(H)
2 - 2
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
1 - 1
(H)
0 - 1
(A)
2 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
1 - 1
(H)
3 - 1
(A) Loaded heavily in our favour, the stats don't lie, or do they? Only one defeat to Ayr at home on all competitions would seem to make Inverness odds on favourites to win this one. Unfortunately, we, the fans, know better. Our recent form has been poor and we are winless in eight.
The previous encounters this season show a 1-0 win towards the end of August during our opening gambit of the season.
CTO summary: Walsh nicks it: A slightly damp morning opening out into a muggy but calm afternoon in the Highlands made for near perfect conditions for this game. However, the football did not match the weather in a dour first half and it was goalless at the interval. Ayr rattled the top of the stand at the start of the second half as the game came to life. Tom Walsh looked to have opened the scoring when he bundled an inviting cross from Manny Duku behind the keeper after 54 minutes with Sean McGinty in close proximity trying to clear the ball. Joe Chalmers put a shot across the face of the Inverness goal that went narrowly wide. Walsh missed a glorious chance to double the lead moments later but pulled his shot across the face of the goal as well. Robbie Deas also missed an opportunity for a second goal, firing the ball over the bar from a great position inside the box. The game was more open but Inverness held on for their third 1-0 win of the season and top the league jointly with Killie.

In the return fixture at Somerset Park we threw away an early advantage to draw 2-2, the slump was well and trully on. 
Another opportunity missed! At a windy Somerset Park, Inverness took the lead early on when Sean Welsh met a Tom Walsh cross at the back post unchallenged to head into the net. The lead only lasted a couple of minutes as Joe Chalmers scored after a corner with a couple of defenders being grappled to the ground as Chalmers slotted home. Gardyne was causing all sorts of problems and his next angled cross into the box was missed by Mckay but it bounced through and into the goal to give the visitors the advantage at the break. Reading levelled with a low shot eight minutes into the second half, Ridgers not covering his near post sufficiently. No more scoring partly due to Aidan McAdams in the home goal and another great opportunity to get back on top went abegging with Partick winning 1-0 at Rugby Park.
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Pars v Partick postponed 1. Arbroath 24 12 9 3 38 18 45 2. Kilmarnock 25 13 4 8 31 19 43 3. Inverness CT 25 10 9 6 33 23 39 4. Raith Rovers 25 9 11 5 34 27 38 5. Partick Thistle 22 10 7 5 37 22 37 6. Morton 24 6 9 9 29 34 27 7. Hamilton Ac. 25 6 9 10 27 40 27 8. Ayr United 25 6 8 11 23 38 26 9. Dunfermline 25 4 11 10 24 40 23 10. Q.O.S. 24 4 7 13 25 40 19 FRIDAY 18th FEBRUARY
Dunfermline P v P Partick Thistle
SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY
Hamilton v Morton   
Caley Jags v Ayr United
    Kilmarnock v Raith Rovers
Queen Sth v Arbroath
Last time out
Inverness came from behind three times to secure a point against an impressive Partick Thistle. Brian Graham was a thorn in our side again, claiming a hat-trick although the first one appeared to come off the shins of Wallace Duffy. We hit back through Billy Mckay, Shane Sutherland and a last gasp header from the enterprising Kirk.
Ayr United won the Ayrshire derby as they came from behind to beat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park to stun title favourites Killie. Fraser Murray had opened the scoring early in the first half but Ayr levelled soon after through Sean McGinty and he scored the winner with ten minutes left to stun their hosts.
Latest Team News
Billy Dodds will definitely be without Scott Allardice and Danny Devine. Somehow, Roddy MacGregor has disappeared from earth, possibly been abducted by a Chinese tennis player. If anyone spots him, can they call MacGregors Bar to let us know that he's safe and well. Thanks in advance. Aaron Doran has missed the last month but is back in full training and Tom Walsh has thrown his hat into the injured squad over the last couple of weeks. Thankfully we are covered up front with Sam Pearson looking good last week, but for some unknown reason we never looked at bringing in defensive cover from the start of the season, we'll soon be going with one at the back.
New Ayr manager Lee Bullen will be looking for more of the same attitude displayed in the derby win over Killie. Here's his starting XI from the Killie game played in front of 7,560 fans. Adeloye and Rowe came on as second half subs, with Ayr playing a 4-4-1-1 formation.
1McAdams 2Houston4Muirhead5McGinty3Reading 22McKenzie6Murdoch8McInroy14Maxwell 18Dempsey 19Ashford There's been a lot of changes at Somerset Park since we last played Ayr. Our own Eric has been busy checking out their latest coming and goings. So, basically, a new look Ayr United will be here looking to improve their poor record at Inverness.
Departures
Cameron Salkeld - forward -has left the club due to long term injury
Nick McAllister - back - on loan to Clyde FC until end of season
Michael Miller - midfield - on loan to Stenhousemuir FC until end of season
Joe Chalmers - midfield - Transferred to Dunfermline FC.
Jonathon Afolabi - forward - was on loan from Celtic recalled and now at Airdrieonians Fc
Steven Bradley - forward - was on loan from Hibs recalled and now at Dundalk FC
 
Arrivals
Blaine Rowe - right back - on loan from Coventry FC U23 until end of season.
Kerr McInroy - defensive midfield - on loan from Celtic FC until end of season
Ben Dempsey - attacking midfield - on loan from Charlton FC U23 until end of season
Ryan Gondoh - left wing - the Ghanaian has signed from Wealdstone FC until May 2023
Paul Smith - centre forward - has returned after loan spell at Cumnock Juniors FC ( that should have toughened him up a bit )
Sam Ashworth - centre forward - signed from Crawley Town FC until May 2023
Fraser Brydon - centre forward - has been promoted to first team from Ayr U18s
 
Manager
Lee Bullen has had several spells as Caretaker manager of Sheffield Wednesday FC and was recently manager or their U23 side
Age: 50 Years 
Appointed: Jan 7, 2022
Contract expires: May 31, 2024
 
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT 3-3 Partick Thistle - Report

Late Leveller
 
Partick Thistle struck early to add to our gloom through Brian Graham, it may yet go down as an own goal, but as it stands, it's credited to the big striker. Billy Mckay squared the game after twenty minutes with an excellent close range finish from a Carson cross. Graham scored his second with a header soon after, Scott Tiffoney once again the provider and he almost scored one for himself but for a fine save from Ridgers. Shane Sutherland equalised just on the interval with a header from a McAlear corner. With twenty minutes left Deas conceded a stonewall penalty and Graham notched his hat-trick. Substitute Cammy Harper drove into the box but Sneddon blocked his shot and moments later Pearson appeared to hit the bar with an angled drive from twelve yards and Mckay rolled one just past the post. We got the draw with the last head of the ball deep into stoppage time when Broadfoot headed in a cross from McAlear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With Inverness struggling so badly over the last two winless months, not much was expected from the hosts on a wet and windy night after a day of snow flurries and wind. Partick, on the other hand, have been resting since they beat Ayr United 1-0 on Tuesday 1st February and were lurking in fifth position ahead of this encounter, a win could bump them up to third and they will still have games in hand over everyone including three over us. With an Ayrshire derby in Kilmarnock tonight, that made it more crucial that we got back to winning ways before we hit the skids and slide out of the promotion race.
Under fire Billy Dodds would be without the influential Scott Allardice (rest of season), central defender Danny Devine (month at least), Aaron Doran, Roddy MacGregor and Tom Walsh. Billy Mckay returned last week but like the rest of the side, he looked off the pace. Our bench was sparse with basically no threat on it and youth players and empty spaces. Wee Jobbie McCall had Brian Graham up front as a target man. Well he's always a target of our boo boys anyway. Zac Rudden left in the January sales so that's one threat less. Kevin Holt replaced former County defender Richard Foster.
Inverness set the ball rolling kicking towards the South Stand, guess we lost the toss then.
The stands were as sparsely populated as our bench as both sides set about feeling their way into the game on a bitter night in the Highland capital. 
Partick settled better and surprise surprise, Brian Graham tapped in from one yard as our static defence were prized open by Tiffoney down the left, easily bypassing David Carson to set up the opener after eight minutes. 
Kevin Holt fired narrowly over from twenty yards as Partick looked to add a second whilst Inverness struggled to get forward.
However, David Carson turned a great ball into the box after a lay off from Sam Pearson and who else but Billy Mckay pounced from six yards to level the game as the snow was about to descend on the stadium.
Tiffoney was the man causing the problems and once again he skinned Carson down the left and Graham headed his deep cross in at the back post from close range. Tiffoney almost added a third but for a great save by Mark Ridgers in the top corner from his curling twenty yard effort.
Unlike their hosts, Partick looked dangerous every time they went forward and Holt ruffled the top of the net with a twenty yard shot watched closely by Ridgers.
We forced a couple of corners before the break and from the second one Shane Sutherland scored at the back post, with only seconds to go before the interval, Reece McAlear the provider of the deep corner kick.
Half Time: 2-2
No changes at the interval but six minutes in Dodds pulled Samuels and Logan Chalmers entered the fray. 
Sutherland almost muscled onto a ball into the box but it was knocked away for a corner. Good spell for Inverness and Sam Pearson and Sutherland were not far away from creating something, but a reminder from Partick as Cammy Smith fired just over after a corner.
It's been an open encounter and it's looking likely that there's more goals in this one.
Pearson did well again to win another corner but Partick eventually cleared their lines as Inverness showed more urgency than they did at the weekend.
A rash tackle by Robbie Deas offered Partick the opportunity to go ahead for the third time and Graham completed his hat-trick from the spot smashing the ball straight down the middle.
Deas was promptly subbed and his replacement Cammy Harper saw a low effort blocked by Sneddon after the defence parted to allow Cammy to get a shot away as he raced into the left side of the box. Pearson then looked to have hit the corner of the bar moments later and Mckay prodded one just wide of the post with fifteen minutes left and at the other end Tiffoney rifled one just wide.
Sneddon produced another good save from a low twenty yard free kick by Chalmers as Inverness chased the game and MacAlear drilled one wide as we pushed for a leveller.
The equaliser came after a wee flurry at the end saw Kirk Broadfoot head a McAlear cross into the net after a corner had been cleared and we got out of jail. Phew, that was close.
Don't get me wrong, the result was thoroughly disappointing but the effort was there and with a bit of fortune we could easily have taken all three points, but when you are down on your luck, thems the breaks. An opportunity missed with Arbroath drawing thanks to an injury time penalty and Killie losing to Ayr United who are our next opponents, but a hugely better performance after the dross of the Morton game. All is not lost yet.
MotM for me was Sam Pearson with some great forward runs and unlucky with his angled shot that rattled the top corner of the bar, and with Billy Mckay buzzing around to good effect and Shane Sutherland putting in the effort it was a massive improvement on recent achievements. Much easier to pick out the good performances this week in a highly entertaining match played out on a miserable night of winter weather. On the downside, Robbie Deas needs to ask himself why he made that poor challenge and that's now eight games without a win; Foranesque territory...

 
 
 
Date: 09/02/2022  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1781 Referee: Peter Stuart
 
Inverness CT: 3
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup:  Ridgers; Carson, Duffy, Broadfoot, Deas (Harper 72), Pearson (Hardy 82), Welsh, McAlear, Samuels (Chalmers 53), Sutherland, B Mckay Subs (not used):  C Mackay; Hyde, L Nicolson  Scorers: Mckay (21), Sutherland (45+1), Broadfoot (90+4) Booked: Deas (24) Sent Off: none Partick Thistle: 3
Manager: Ian McCall Lineup:  Sneddon; McKenna, Akinola, Mayo, Holt, Tiffoney (Hendrie 83), Bannigan,  Docherty, Crawford, Smith (Jakubiak 75), Graham (MacIver 90) Subs (not used): McCready; Turner, Murray, McAllister Scorers: Graham (8, 27, 65 pen) Booked: none Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT -V- Partick Thistle - Preview

Fans patience is running out
 
After another massive slump, this time against Morton, we are all but done with the Championship for another season. Partick are next up for us at the Caledonian Stadium on Wednesday night for a 7:45pm kick-off. I don't see many fans saying they are really looking forward to the next game.
MATCH INFO/TICKETS/STREAMING
Can we save our season? It has become alarmingly apparent that something is seriously wrong at the club. We can't buy a win at the moment. That's now seven games without a win or four points from a possible twenty-one since December 11th. That's the statistics that gets teams relegated and managers sacked. We seem to be at the crossroads and if something doesn't change soon, then we better get used to being in the Championship for the foreseeable future. On the plus side, there is still plenty games left to get back on track, unfortunately at this moment in time, that looks unlikely to happen. Our body language is a big giveaway and it looks like we have been found out.
Venue - Head 2 Head Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 21 9 5 7 33 30 +3 Away 20 5 6 9 21 28 -7 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 41 14 11 16 54 58 -4 Last 10 Competitive Meetings with Partick
0 - 0
(A)
3 - 1
(H)
1 - 3
(A)
1 - 3
(H)
2 - 1
(A)
1 - 2
(H)
1 - 0
(A)
3 - 2
(H)
1 - 1
(A)
0 - 0 The two games played this season already coincided with some of our better performances. Much has gone wrong since then and I'm not sure we can turn that around overnight.
Summary from 3-1 win in September: 
The run goes on - Partick Thistle came North with high hopes of ending Inverness' great start to the campaign in the knowledge that they have been scoring at the rate of three goals per game apart from Arbroath where they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Red Lichties.

Billy Dodds had food for thought after the cup win over Buckie last week where Billy Mckay and Lewis Jamieson staked their claims for a start after scoring performances over the Highland League side. They started on the bench as he went with the tried and tested so far this season. Ian McCall had old enemy Brian Graham up front with Zac Rudden on the bench and watch out for defender Tunji Akinola who packs a punch with his feet.

After a difficult first half, Inverness ran out comfortable winners against Partick Thistle in a second half goal blitz. The visitors dominated the first forty-five and Scott Tiffoney drilled the opener out of nothing as the defence backed off. Manny Duku was denied by a combination of keeper and post but it was Partick that should have scored a second, however Mark Ridgers did well to deny Brian Graham. Harsh talking at the break saw Inverness come out for the second half with the bit between the teeth and Kirk Broadfoot was the unlikely hero as his twenty yard shot evaded the outstretched fingertips of the keeper to level the score. Shane Sutherland did well to drill in the second from an angle after the keeper fluffed his lines allowing Shane to slot in from twenty yards. The third was a peach as Duku stepped over the ball and Aaron Doran fired high into the net for a brilliant goal and game over. That's five wins out of five and the run goes on...
The reverse fixture at Partick saw us emerge with a thoroughly deserved win at 0-0 . According to many Partick fans we were the best thing since sliced bread. How wrong were they...
Caley Jags pay the penalty: Partick Thistle survived to earn a point after the woodwork saved them twice and keeper Jamie Sneddon denied Sean Welsh from the spot after guessing the right way. Inverness were well on top but it's only a point which means Killie pull further away at the top. Performance of the day was from Arbroath who came from two down to beat Dunfermline Athletic 4-2. Despite not getting the win that was easily one of our best performances of recent weeks and I would have taken a point before the game but given how it played out it was definitely 2 points dropped.
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 23 12 8 3 36 16 44 2. Kilmarnock 23 12 4 7 28 16 40 3. Inverness CT 24 10 8 6 30 20 38 4. Raith Rovers 25 9 11 5 34 27 38 5. Partick Thistle 21 10 6 5 34 19 36 6. Hamilton Ac. 24 6 8 10 25 38 26 7. Morton 23 5 9 9 27 33 24 8. Dunfermline 24 4 11 9 23 38 23 9. Ayr United 24 5 8 11 21 37 23 10. Q.O.S. 23 4 7 12 24 38 19 Wednesday Night Fixtures all 19:45
Arbroath v Hamilton
  Inverness CT v Partick Thistle
Kilmarnock v Ayr United
 
Last time out we were a complete omnishambles (a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations.) Sounds about right as we plumbed the depths to go down meekly to a less than average Morton side where Lewis Strapp scored the winner. No wins in our last seven games (LLDDDDL) Shocking statistics.
Particks last game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, the previous game was a 1-0 win over Ayr United giving them (PWWDD) since the turn of the year. The other win was against Airdrie in the Scottish Cup (1-0).
Latest Team News
We will still be without Allardice, Devine, MacGregor, Doran and possibly Walsh. Having only brought in forwards in the window, it was obvious to all what would happen, except our management team. We are performing like headless chickens at the moment.
Partick will no doubt have thug player and cheat Brian Graham up front. 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT 0-1 Morton - Report

Absolute dross
 
What a shitfest of a game. We were an absolute shambles from the start and Morton were all over us like a rash. Lewis Strapp scored the only goal of the game after Chalmers failed to cover in midfield. Kirk Broadfoot left the deflected ball forward to someone else, and to cap it all off when the loose ball entered the box, defender Strapp got to it first and poked it through Mark Ridgers legs. Pathetic stuff from Inverness and we did nothing about trying to change the way the game was going. A shot from Pearson the only thing of note over ninety minutes of a stop start game that would not have looked out of place at the Bught Park. We were clueless for 95 minutes and deserved nothing. No surprise really given our recent performances,  but totally depressing stuff to watch.
Happy Birthday Billy.
÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷
The last team we beat came North but with a renewed vigour and a new manager in Dougie Imrie. Cast your mind back to December 11th 2021 and we absolutely routed Morton 6-1. Unfortunately it's been all downhill in the six seven games since then with Morton accruing ten points since then with Inverness only managing four.
Scott Allardice, Danny Devine, Roddy MacGregor and Aaron Doran were all missing. We are down to the bare bones with only six on the bench from the permitted nine. What that means is that Inverness appear to be going with three at the back in a fairly attacking set-up.
It was a wild day in the North with heavy rain/snow showers, bright sunshine and blustery conditions. Hypothermia anyone?
Widely acknowledged as one of the worst performances ever, Billy Dudds and his bunch of haddies were beaten by a team we put six past a couple of months ago. It's impossible to put into words just how bad this was, but suffice to say, there are thousands of detrimental adjectives used on CTO to cover this, no stone left unturned.
Sam Pearson had our best effort in the first half after cutting onto his right foot on the left side of the box, but Jack Hamilton was equal to the shot and kept it out with a decent save. I'd like to be able to report on a few more efforts, unfortunately that was it. Gutless, lacklustre, drivel, no passion, utter shambles, painful, turgid, apathetic, disgraceful............ the list is endless.
Lewis Strapp scored the only goal when he found the ball at his feet inside the box and pushed it through the keepers legs. Summed up our day. It could have been worse had Ridgers not denied Ugwu late in the game with an excellent save.
Many fans are now questioning the quality of not just the players, but the entire set-up, including Dudds and Robbo. To be honest, difficult to argue against any of the criticism given our demise. I was not convinced even after our excellent start to the season. I believe we just got lucky whilst other clubs were still sorting themselves out. But for that great start, we would be relegation certainties. Four points from a possible twenty-one tells it's own story, a story of complete and utter decimation, an omnishambles with a bleak future.
Over to you Inverness, time to get some pride and passion back to the club.
 
From BBC Sport
Inverness head coach Billy Dodds: "It's our poorest performance of the season, which at this time in the season you really don't need. I thought we showed a mental weakness to go and scrap the game. When we realise what's at stake and where we could go again today - but we just keep going.
"I'm up for it. I'm sure at some point we get a win and then we kick on. We have to get it going soon or we'll find ourselves out of the title race. We really need to change the mindset here in terms of players and what they are thinking going on the pitch. We need to get back to what we are good at and where we were at the start of the season." No shit Sherlock!
Greenock Morton manager Dougie Imrie: "We knew how difficult it was going to be to come up here. Inverness have been doing fantastic this season - up in the top four. I knew with the boys I've got if they went out and stuck to the game plan we could potentially get something from this and eventually we have.
"Another terrific three points. At this stage in the season three points are massive and that lifts us back up into seventh. The league form has been great but we've got to maintain that."
Date: 05/02/2022  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1808 Referee: Euan Anderson 
 
Inverness CT: 0
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup:  Ridgers; Duffy, Broadfoot, Deas (L Nicolson 76), Pearson (Carson 75), Welsh, McAlear, Sutherland (Harper 72), Samuels, Mckay, Chalmers (Hardy 66) Subs (not used):  C Mackay; Hyde Scorers: none Booked: Mckay (51) Sent Off: none Morton:1
Manager: Dougie Imrie Lineup:  Hamilton; Lithgow, McLean, McEntee, Strapp, Oliver (Muirhead 74), Blues, Lyon (Wilson 64), Brandon, Ugwu, Reilly (Jacobs 85) Subs (not used): Bysouth; Ledger, Russell, McGrattan, Easdale, King Scorers: Strapp (24) Booked: Wilson (71), Strapp (80) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT -V- Morton - Preview

Time to stop the rot
 
The last team we beat are coming North but with a renewed vigour and a new manager in Dougie Imrie. Cast your mind back to December 11th 2021 and we absolutely routed Morton 6-1. Unfortunately it's been all downhill in the six games since then. Morton are here on Saturday for a 3:00pm kick-off, but beware, this is not the same deflated Morton we stuffed in December. Our demise has been alarming to say the least. In the six games since we beat Morton we have picked up only four points from a possible eighteen. That's relegation form in any language and the rot needs to stop now before we slip out of the play-off zone and into mid table obscurity.
OFFICIAL PREVIEW-MATCH INFO-TICKETS-STREAMING
Venue - Head2Head Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 18 12 4 2 46 16 +30 Away 16 9 3 4 34 19 +15 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 34 21 7 6 80 35 +45 Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Morton
6 - 1
(A)
1 - 1
(A)
1 - 1
(H)
2 - 0
(H)
4 - 1
(A)
0 - 1
(H)
2 - 2
(A)
3 - 2
(H)
1 - 2
(A)
3 - 1
(H) Inverness have taken six points from the two league games this season. The first encounter saw Inverness edge out Morton 2 - 0 in a low key game where Billy Mckay and Mich*** Gard*** scored the goals. The last meeting was our best ever away result at Cappielow.
CTO summary from 6-1 win at Cappielow: Managerless bottom club Morton were gubbed. There's no other word for it. Caley Jags were rampant after a couple of drab draws in the Scottish Cup. I'll credit Aaron Doran with the opener as his cross to the back post ended up in the net as Hamilton tried to claw it clear. Sutherland got the second after a Billy Mckay shot was blocked at close range. Mckay got his own when he rolled the ball in off the post. Boss! Just on the interval Ugwu scored from the spot to offer Morton a lifeline. Reece McAlear scored a fekkin screamer, what can only be described as a piledriver. What a strike that was! The ever alert Sutherland added a fifth and it was no surprise when Jamieson dribbled his way into the box and slotted home the sixth. This has been coming for weeks, but today was maybe the day the Caley Jags believed in themselves. Boom!  That result left us top of the table on 34 points and Morton were bottom on 13 points. Doh! Seems like a distant memory now...
The Head2Heads are stacked heavily in our favour, only two defeats at home from eighteen encounters in all competitions. However, those two defeats have come in the last two years, add to that Morton ended our interest in the Scottish Cup this season after a replay and penalties, then this is another potential struggle waiting to happen.
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 22 11 8 3 35 16 41 2. Kilmarnock 22 12 4 6 28 15 40 3. Inverness CT 23 10 8 5 30 19 38 4. Raith Rovers 24 9 10 5 34 27 37 5. Partick Thistle 21 10 6 5 34 19 36 6. Hamilton Ac. 23 6 7 10 25 38 25 7. Dunfermline 23 4 10 9 22 37 22 8. Ayr United 23 5 7 11 20 36 22 9. Morton 22 4 9 9 26 33 21 10. Q.O.S. 23 4 7 12 24 38 19 Friday 4th Feb
Arbroath v Kilmarnock
SATURDAY 5TH FEB
Ayr United v Dunfermline
Caley Jags v Morton        
Partick v Queens
  Rovers v Hamilton
Morton have a new gaffer in former Inverness player Dougie Imrie (38), brought in when Gus McPherson was sacked after they drew with Ayr United, ten days after we thumped them 6-1 at Cappielow. This is his first managerial role, having coached at Livingston earlier this year. As a wide midfielder, Imrie played for Morton in season 2013-14 scoring 11 times in 33 appearances.
When Dougie went to Morton as the new manager they were a point adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Championship and heading for relegation.
Here's Dougie's stats whilst at Inverness.
Position: Left winger/attacking midfielder Signed: January 5th, 2008 First Manager: Craig Brewster Left Club: January 5th, 2010 Career Stats: 73 appearances, 10 goals Debut (as sub): February 9th, 2008 - St. Mirren 1 - 1 Inverness CT (League - ) Full Debut: February 16th, 2008 - 1 - 1 Dundee Utd (League - ) First Goal: April 19th, 2008 - Inverness CT 3 - 0 Kilmarnock (League - ) Also Played For: Clyde, Hamilton Academical, Morton, St. Mirren Latest Team News
Inverness will be without long term casualties Scott Allardice and Danny Devine. Aaron Doran, Roddy MacGregor and Billy Mackay all missed the game at Rugby Park as well. Devine is back in training from next week. Doran is not ready to return but Billy Mckay will be back in the squad.
Morton have added midfielder Iain Wilson from Dunfermline to their squad along with Jamie Brandon on loan from Hearts.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Scottish Youth Cup Draw 🏆
The ICT Under 18s have been drawn away to Hearts U18s in the Semi Final of the Scottish Youth Cup.
Semi-Final ties are scheduled to be played on Friday 4 March 2022

 

By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Kilmarnock 1-0 Inverness CT - Report

Rugby Park Loss
 
Inverness made the long journey home with no points after Kyle Lafferty scored an early goal after good work by Daniel Mackay down the right wing. What a kick in the teeth that was. Very little to choose between the sides as neither side dominated and clear chances were at a premium with Killie probably having the better of them. Without five regulars, this was always going to be a difficult ask, and so it turned out, but our recent signings look like they could offer something once they are up to speed.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Billy Dodds shoestring squad were bolstered by January sales incomers Logan Chalmers, Sam Pearson, Joe Hardy and Austin Samuels. However, we were without regulars Scott Allardice, Danny Devine, Aaron Doran, Roddy MacGregor and Billy Mckay through injury and that leaves us with the bare minimum on the bench. Chalmers and Pearson started and Wallace Duffy was at right back. Killie have the luxury of a large squad and experienced January signings. They will be looking to the selected players to guide them back to the Premiership at the earliest opportunity given the resources they have spent trying to achieve this. None moreso than new gaffer Derek McInnes, Kyle Lafferty and Ash Taylor, with former Caley Jags players Liam Polworth, and Daniel Mackay also in the squad, with nine players on their bench, almost enough for two strong teams.
After a tentative beginning, Kilmarnock opened the scoring when Shane Sutherland failed to deal with a ball cleared towards the halfway line by Tom Walsh. Instead of creating an attack, he ended up passing the ball back towards Cammy Harper. Unfortunately Daniel Mackay read it and skinned Harper with a burst of pace before firing a dangerous cross low into the area, where high profile signing Kyle Lafferty met the ball at the far side of the box to power a controlled shot into the net from six yards.
We responded well to this setback and Walsh shot from a tight angle, but the ball was tipped round the post for a corner by keeper Hemming as it flashed across the goal.
Mackay went close for Killie as he was set free on the right side of the box, but his low shot rolled across the face of the goal and just wide.
Despite the Caley Jags enjoying plenty of possession, it was the same old story of little to no clear chances in the opposition box and we went in one down at the interval.
HALF TIME : 1-0
Five minutes into the second half and Killie had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for a hand ball as Euan Murray tried to force the ball in from close range. Oli Shaw should have added a second after the ball landed at his feet in the box from a rebound, but he fluffed his shot and it rolled harmlessly wide.... thankfully.
Ridgers pulled off a good save from the industrious McKenzie as he shot from the edge of the box to keep us within touching distance.
Austin Samuels had been introduced in the second half and looks to have something different, a bit of pace and the newbies looked a bit more direct than what we have been subject to in recent weeks. Samuels did have a half chance charged down as he cut along the line towards goal, the final ball being blocked and cleared when a cut back might have produced something, alas, still an all too familiar scenario. Plenty of the ball around the box, but little real opportunity to score.
FULL TIME: 1-0
Despite our possession, we were still unable to create any clear chances and a draw would have been the most we could have come away with. However, you pay the right money for the right player and you reap the rewards, and that's what Killie got with Kyle Lafferty and his smart finish from a tremendous cross from Dan Mackay. That's six games without a win, and that's relegation form in any language. Just as well we caught the rest cold at the start of the season. Maybe the January sales will have unearthed a wee gem, here's hoping...
From BBC Sport
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "The goal was terrific. Dan MacKay was very capable today and Kyle Lafferty still had a lot to do - the technique to put the ball in the back of the net was really pleasing. The fans were different class and really played their part."
Inverness CT manager Billy Dodds: "First half I thought two or three of my players didn't believe we were going to win the game. That let us down and we lost the goal. In the second half we really dug in, but I still think they have to push their bodies that bit more."
Highlights from Killie TV
 
Another cut'n paste from Billy...

Austin Samuels

 
 
 
 
Date: 29/01/2022  Venue: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock Attendance: 4790 Referee: Don Robertson
 
Kilmarnock: 1
Manager: Derek McInnes Lineup:  Hemming; Hodson, Sanders (E Murray 45), Taylor, Haunstrup, McKenzie, Tait (McGinn 88),  F Murray, Mackay (Alston 74), Shaw, Lafferty (Burke 68) Subs (not used):  Walker; Waters, Armstrong, Polworth, Cameron Scorers: Lafferty (9) Booked: Haunstrup (61) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup:  Ridgers; Duffy (Carson 82), Broadfoot, Deas, Harper (L Nicolson 82), Walsh (Hardy 46), Welsh, McAlear, Pearson (Samuels 63), Sutherland (Duku 86), Chalmers Subs (not used): C Mackay; Hyde Scorers: none Booked: Deas (2), Broadfoot (25) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2021-22 ·

Kilmarnock -v- Inverness CT - Preview

Six Pointers are here
 
Big game at the sharp end of the Table as rudderless Inverness travel to Rugby Park to take on 'all their eggs in one basket' Kilmarnock. Saturday 3:00pm is the scheduled kick off time which I'm certain that Killie fans will be looking forward to this with more optimism than the trepidated nail biting Caley Jags fans. Could be a long day...
How we are still in the mix after an alarming run of games without a win is a mystery in itself. It seems to get worse when we struggle against teams in the chasing pack, yet we have beaten Killie twice this season already. 
OFFICIAL PREVIEW WHICH INCLUDES MATCH/STREAMING/TICKET INFO
SUPPORTERS BUS 07462218717 CaleyClub at 9.15 and stadium at 9.30
 
Venue Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 24 11 9 4 44 32 +12 Away 25 8 6 11 36 44 -8 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 49 19 15 15 80 76 +4 Last two Competitive Meetings
1 - 0
(H)
1 - 0
(A)                 Inverness won the first encounter at Rugby Park this season when a late Mich*** Gar**** goal stunned the hosts. The return fixture in Inverness was a tight affair and it was a spectacular goal from Sean Welsh that won the points for Inverness. That result put us top of the league and two points ahead of Killie after sixteen games. Arbroath were fifth, four points behind Inverness. Surely they would fall away... Click on the links above to read the reports and see the goals, both stunning strikes.
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 22 11 8 3 35 16 41 2. Inverness CT 22 10 8 4 30 18 38 3. Kilmarnock 21 11 4 6 27 15 37 4. Raith Rovers 22 9 8 5 29 22 35 5. Partick Thistle 20 9 6 5 33 19 33 6. Hamilton Ac. 22 6 6 10 24 37 24 7. Ayr United 21 5 6 10 19 34 21 8. Morton 21 4 8 9 24 31 20 9. Dunfermline 22 3 10 9 20 37 19 10. Q.O.S. 21 4 6 11 21 33 18 Fixtures this weekend
Friday 7:45
Morton v Rovers
Saturday 3:00
Arbroath v Partick  
 Accies v Ayr Utd
   Kilmarnock v Inverness CT
       Queens v Dunfermline
Much has changed since our first encounter in September. Tommy Wright was binned in favour of the well respected Derek McInnes, seen as the man to lead them back into the promised land. Kyle Lafferty is the latest big signing along with the experienced Ash Taylor, the former Aberdeen defender. The slap in the face comes with the loan signing of Daniel Mackay from Hibernian. That one hurt somewhat. Another Hibee Dylan Tait is also a good bit of business for the Rugby Park side.
Now here's the disparity...
Not a club renowned for playing our hand early, we have loaned in three inexperienced forwards in Sam Pearson, Logan Chalmers and Joe Hardy. Hardy is the latest recruit and he comes in from Accrington Stanley until the end of the season. Going the opposite direction out the door are the disruptive Michael Gardyne, mostly injured Anthony McDonald and rarely seen loan signing Lewis Jamieson, who has been farmed back out to Clyde where I'm sure he will be well received and get some game time.
Latest Team News
Inverness have been dealt a couple of hammer blows on top of our already wafer thin squad frailties. Scott Allardice is out for the season and Danny Devine suffered a possible season ending injury last week against Dunfermline. Add those to current crocks Aaron Doran, Roddy MacGregor, and Billy Mckay, then we are down to the bare bones. More injury updates in official preview link at top of page.
Even Later than the Latest News
Inverness Caledonian Thistle can confirm the signing of striker Austin Samuels from Wolves on a permanent 18-month deal, subject to international clearance. Austin, 21-years-old, is an Academy Graduate at Wolves, having been with the club since the age of 10. While at Wolves, Austin has had loan spells with Kidderminster Harriers, Bradford City and Aberdeen.  Austin is also a former England youth International. Austin becomes the club’s fourth summer signing alongside Sam Pearson, Logan Chalmers and Joe Hardy.  
 
Killie have strength in depth, and with tried and trusted incomers, then they have little to worry about. One that sticks in the throat somewhat is Daniel Mackay and to a lesser extent, Liam Polworth. Both will likely feature at some point for the visitors. Interesting joust between Kyle Lafferty Kirk Broadfoot incoming...
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
On Friday night, there's an u18 Scottish Cup Quarter Final at the Caledonian Stadium


Free Entry
The ICT Under 18s have a massive Scottish Youth Cup Quarter Final against Auchinleck Talbot U18s this Friday at the Caledonian Stadium.
Entry is FREE via Gate Four near the South Stand, with seating available in the Main Stand for this match. There will be a Kiosk open in the Main Stand Concourse.
Come down and support the Young ICT Players as the look to each the Scottish Youth Cup Semi-Finals!
 

 

 
 
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. : Terms of Use : Guidelines : Privacy Policy

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.