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Inverness CT -V- Queen of the South - Preview

Shut that window
 
Second bottom Queen of the south come calling to the Caledonian Stadium to take on second top Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Saturday afternoon at 3:00pm is the kick-off. Queens have lost their last two fixtures and Inverness are without a win in their last three games. Time to close the transfer window before we have nobody left to play out the season.
OFFICIAL PREVIEW/STREAMING/TICKET INFO
Venue Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 20 12 2 6 36 24 +12 Away 19 8 7 4 33 20 +13 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 39 20 9 10 69 44 +25  
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 21 10 8 3 33 15 38 2. Inverness CT 20 10 6 4 27 15 36 3. Kilmarnock 20 11 3 6 26 14 36 4. Raith Rovers 21 9 8 4 28 20 35 5. Partick Thistle 19 9 5 5 32 18 32 6. Hamilton Ac. 21 6 6 9 24 36 24 7. Ayr United 20 5 6 9 19 32 21 8. Morton 20 3 8 9 22 31 17 9. Q.O.S. 20 4 5 11 19 31 17 10. Dunfermline 20 2 9 9 18 36 15  
FRIDAY 19:45
Partick 1-1 Killie
SATURDAY 15:00
  Ayr Utd v Morton
Dunfermline v Hamilton  
 Inverness v Queens
Raith Rovers v Arbroath
Inverness have picked up six points from the two games between the clubs this season, both ending 2-1 in favour of the Caley Jags.
CTO Summary from 25th September: Goals from Sean Welsh and Michael Gardyne were just enough to put Inverness back to the top of the table despite a worldy goal from Lee Connelly for the visitors. Inverness deserved the win but made hard work of it before Gardyne scored a superb volley to win the points and ease the fans nerves.
CTO Summary from 19th November: The visitors opened the scoring when Billy Mckay converted a first half penalty. They doubled their lead when he added a second from a superb Carson cross but Queens forced a tense finish when Lee Connelly smashed the ball into the net to give them hope. However Inverness saw out the game to claim the points and move a point behind leaders Kilmarnock who play Arbroath on Saturday. 
Last Time Out
The Caley Jags recovered from a goal down to draw with Raith Rovers last weekend. The points were shared thanks to two spectacular goals from Ethan Ross and Reece McAlear. A poor first half for the hosts saw Raith lead at the break but a better performance after the interval earned a share of the points although Raith will be aggrieved that they never ended their 22 year wait for a win over Inverness.
Queens were deservedly beaten by Kilmarnock in a 2-0 defeat at Palmerston. Alan Johnston had this to say about it on BBC Sport: "It was never a penalty. There was a tug of the shirt but I've seen it again and it was way outside the box. But we continue to give away cheap goals. We have a fight on our hands. That's for sure."
That's something like only four wins in 25 games since Alan Johnston went to Palmerston. The sort of form that gets teams relegated. Unfortunately, on the whole, we seldom take full advantage of this and often find ourselves struggling to dominate these games. That needs to change now if we want to remain interested in topping this league. Showing some urgency from the start would be an improvement on recent offerings. 
Latest Team News
Billy Dodds saw Sean Welsh return last week as a second half substitute against Raith Rovers. Aaron Dorran missed out with a thigh injury and is a major doubt. Youth player Harry Hennem will continue his loan spell at Brora Rangers until the end of the season. More disturbing news though if true is that Scott Allardice is allegedly out for the season if you believe the latest rumours. Another equally disappointing one is that Robbie Deas is the subject of a six figure bid (£150K) by St Johnstone to lure our defender to McDiarmid Park, following the footsteps of defenders Jamie McCart and Shaun Rooney. Meh!
I bet that next up for scrutiny will be Shane Sutherland; what's the odds on that...
As an aside, but equally annoying: Daniel Mackay has joined Killie on loan, and loan Ranger Kai Kennedy has gone to Hamilton Accies.
Willie Gibson should return for Queens who should also have former County and Inverness player Alex Cooper plying his trade at left back. Keeper Sol Brynn has been recalled by Middlesbrough but midfielder Don McMahon comes back from his loan to Dalbeattie Star.
Here's Doddsy...

 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT 1 - 1 Raith Rovers - Report

Rovers still waiting after 22 years
 
Title challengers clashed at the Caledonian Stadium for the second time this season and it was only Killie that benefitted after a score draw in the Highlands. A spectacular strike from Ethan Ross put Raith in front as the hosts struggled to create anything. Mark Ridgers had to be alert to deny Ross Mathews a second goal to keep it at one before the interval. We upped the pace after the interval, but chances were still at a premium early on. However, our pressure paid off when Reece McAlear lashed a low shot behind the outstretched Jamie Macdonald from near thirty yards to level the game, and despite efforts from both sides it remained 1-1 at full time.
 

÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷
Inverness were without Aaron Doran although Sean Welsh made the bench. Anthony McDonald and Michael Gardyne were already out the door, one of them with the well wishes from ICTFC.
Raith had long term absentees in Lewis Vaughan and Brad Spencer but Christophe Berra returned after suspension and recent additions Ben Williamson, Sam Stanton and Jamie Gullan were all in the squad.
It was an excellent afternoon for a game of football, a flat calm after the horrendous conditions of last week. Game on!
It was a cagey opening quarter to the game as both sides probed for an opening. Sam Stanton and Ben Williamson were looking sharp for the visitors who looked to carry more direct threat when they went forward whilst the hosts flattered to deceive as they strolled around the park as if it was a Sunday League kick about. The best Inverness could muster was a blocked Billy Mckay shot from a very tight angle where there was virtually no hope of finding the net. In contrast the visitors movement and pace was a joy to behold, then I remembered they were the opposition.
The goal was a prime example of the different approach the teams had to attacking football. Mark Ridgers quickly threw the ball out to Tom Walsh who ran thirty yards with the ball before being halted on the edge of the box, seemingly exhausted by his effort. Jamie MacDonald gathered the ball and sent it up the park to Ross who shrugged off a challenge, drove forward and powered a shot into the top corner. I rest my case.
After twenty minutes of anti-football, the game exploded into life with a stunning strike from Ethan Ross. He gathered the ball just inside the Inverness half and easily turned his marker. He drove into space twenty yards further forward before unleashing an unstoppable shot high into Ridgers' right side from around thirty-yards. What a goal that was, and you could only applaud the strike, although questions should be asked about the space afforded to Ross.
Billy Mckay looked to have levelled matters but his strike from six yards was ruled to be offside after he latched onto the ball when it was lobbed back into the box.
Ten minutes before the break Mathew Ross forced Ridgers to dive low to his left to keep out a speculative twenty-five yard effort that was creeping in at the near post, the keeper turning the ball round the post for a corner.
After his stunning goal, Ross must have been hugely disappointed to drag a shot wide from fifteen yards seven minutes before the break.
Half Time 0-1
Dodds had seen enough and changed things around at the interval, hooking the ineffective David Carson and right back Wallace Duffy for Reece McAlear and Manny Duku.
Despite the changes, Raith were still on top although there appeared to be more urgency about our play and Frankie Musonda headed over before Ethan Varion shot wide.
Duku was looking to be a handful for the Raith defenders with his awkward style and he had a pop at goal from the edge of the box but it lacked the power to beat MacDonald and he held it comfortably. However, the tide was slowly turning and a weak Mckay header went wide before McAlear volleyed over the bar from inside the box.
Reghan Tumilty missed a great opportunity to put some distance between the sides after a run down the right, but his cross come shot missed the target and his strikers and the chance was wasted.
Musonda saw Ridgers save and at the other end Mckay headed weakly again. nonetheless the raids on the visitors goal were becoming more intensified.
Half time substitute Reece McAlear squared the game with another superb finish from a similar position that Mathews tried from before the interval. The on loan midfielder fired a vicious low shot that skidded before bouncing across MacDonald into the bottom corner. Another superb goal from Reece, his second for the club.
There was still time for the keepers to deny Aaron Arnott and Billy Mckay before time ran out and the points were shared as the game ended in frantic mode.
Overall a draw was just about right. After an infuriatingly frustrating first half we got to grips with the pace of the game and two tremendous strikes maintained the status quo at the head of the table with Arbroath going down to Ayr united and Accies drawing with Partick. Killie tightened it all up after beating Queen of the South 2-0 in Dumfries. Best for Inverness were goal hero McAlear with Mark Ridgers making crucial saves to help us earn the point.
From BBC Sport
Inverness CT head coach Billy Dodds: "We didn't have our best day in the first half. The subs that came on did really well, not just because Reece scored. They just had an impact and that's what I needed. "I thought we deserved a draw in the end but I would have loved three points. We worked hard, created a few chances and could have stolen it."
Raith Rovers manager, John McGlynn: "We are a bit gutted for the players who put so much effort into the game. We attacked really well, much better than we have been doing recently. Great goal by Ethan Ross and I've got to say their strike was a great goal as well. "It's never an easy place to come. We've not got a great record here. Although we are disappointed we take the point - we take the positives and dust ourselves down for next week."
Dodds talking after the game...

Reece McAlear

Full Highlights from ICTV

 
Date: 08/01/2022  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 478 Referee: Don Robertson
 
Inverness CT: 1
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup:  Ridgers; Duffy (McAlear 45), Broadfoot, Devine, Deas, Walsh, Carson (Duku 45), Allardice Welsh (73), Harper, Sutherland, Mckay Subs (not used):  Esson; L Nicholson, Jamieson, MacGregor Scorers: McAlear (86) Booked: Devine (47) Sent Off: none Raith Rovers: 1
Manager: John McGlynn Lineup:  MacDonald; Tumilty, Musonda, Berra, Dick, Mathews, Benedictus,  Stanton, Varian (Poplatnik 76), Williamson (Arnott 84), Ross (Gullan 51) Subs (not used): Thomson, Lang, Zanatta, Connolly Scorers: Ross (24) Booked: Williamson (31), Dick (73), Gullan (80), Berra (81) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT -V- Raith Rovers - Preview

Duku Derby
 
First home game of the year has third placed and fellow title contenders Raith Rovers coming North to face second place Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday. The game is scheduled to kick off at 3:00pm, but given the recent weather and covid restrictions, don't hold your breath. This game has a restricted crowd of 500 Willy Wonka golden tickets allocated. Fear not if you failed to get a hold of a ticket as ICTV will be streaming the game at a mere £15.
MATCH INFO
OFFICIAL PREVIEW
LIVE STREAMING £15
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 20 10 8 2 33 14 38 2. Inverness CT 19 10 5 4 26 14 35 3. Raith Rovers 20 9 7 4 27 19 34 4. Kilmarnock 19 10 3 6 24 14 33 5. Partick Thistle 18 9 4 5 30 16 31 6. Hamilton Ac. 20 6 5 9 22 34 23 7. Ayr United 19 4 6 9 18 32 18 8. Q.O.S. 19 4 5 10 19 29 17 9. Dunfermline 19 2 9 8 18 31 15 10. Morton 19 2 8 9 17 31 14 Full fixture list scheduled for Saturday 8th January, all 3:00pm.
Ayr Utd v Arbroath
Accies v Partick 
Caley Jags v Raith Rovers
Queens v Killie     
        Morton v Dunfermline
Venue - Head 2 Head Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 18 13 3 2 36 13 +23 Away 14 7 4 3 27 17 +10 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 32 20 7 5 63 30 +33 The stats are stacked heavily against Rovers who we seem to hold the Indian sign over. All of their wins came in the early years, their last triumph over ninety minutes was a 2-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium back in October 2000. Ian Broadfoot had this report on the game: Injury-hit Caley Thistle lost this game because of a poor first half display. Despite this they nearly took the lead in 13 minutes when a David Bagan shot was blocked by Greig McCulloch and spun over the bar. Raith scored first in 16 minutes when Jim Calder failed to hold a Shaun Dennis cross and Jay Stein hit home the loose ball from six yards. In 21 minutes a poor headed clearance by Stuart McCaffrey was picked up by Andrew Clark and he set up Ivan Mballa and the Frenchman slammed the ball into the net from 12 yards. ICT had a penalty claim turned down in 38 minutes when Charlie Christie was brought down by Paul Browne. After the break the home side improved but Guido Van de Kamp denied them on several occasions. Paul Sheerin pulled one back in 79 minutes when he netted from close range after a good cut back by Roy McBain. Four minutes later Sheerin watched in frustration as Van de Kamp saved his low shot. As time ran out he came close twice more but Raith held on to win.
This seasons encounters show that a superb Roddy MacGregor strike was the difference between the sides back in August. MacGregor Stunner: Inverness maintained their winning start to the league campaign, but it took a stunning half volley from substitute Roddy MacGregor to settle the points. It had been a relatively even game with the hosts having slightly the better of it throughout. Jamie MacDonald had pulled off three or four decent saves before Roddy struck from 25 yards, the ball flashing into the net past an outstretched keeper after some neat interplay outside the box involving Sutherland and Duku. Six points from two games, we could not have asked for a better start to the Championship.
The return fixture at Starks Park ended all square. And the wait goes on: Plenty of endeavour in the first half at Starks Park but little quality in the final third resulted in a game void of goalmouth action over the first forty-five minutes for both sides. Biggest talking point was the sending off just before the break of Ross Mathews for what looked like a rash studs up challenge. Contentious maybe, but straight red dished out. After the break more space saw more chances created but it was Raith that broke forward and scored through Aidan Connolly. Inverness struggled to get back on level terms but eventually did ten minutes from the end when Sean Welsh drilled home from the edge of the box and that ended the scoring. Raith's quest for a win over Inverness goes into a 22nd year. Killie were the only winners in the Championship and closed the gap to three points but Inverness remain top.
There was also a Challenge Cup game at the end of November where both sides made numerous changes. That went to a penalty shoot-out which Raith won 5-4 after a goalless ninety minutes.
Last time out
Inverness drew at Gayfield in a game dominated by the wind which made the pitch virtually unplayable. Prior to that we have not played since the shambles of the 2-1 home loss to Hamilton Accies on the 18th December.
Raith drew 0-0 with Dunfermline on 2nd January as we were being blown around Gayfield. Raith have not won in their last three games with their form taking a dip recently.
So, fairly uninspiring stuff from both sides ahead of this clash at the top.
Latest Team News
Billy Dodds has been without Sean Welsh since he was injured in the Scottish Cup tie versus Morton on the 7th December. We will hopefully have more players available after covid struck and isolations hit the club. Aaron Doran has been added to the injury list and will be out for a couple of weeks. One man who will be seen no more is Michael Gardyne who has left the building by mutual consent following some alleged misconduct which had an upsetting effect on the morale in the dressing room. He has appropriately joined the 'Table Endies' at Links Park. Also leaving the club but on better terms, Anthony McDonald's contract has expired and after only five appearances this season he has also left the building and has signed on at Edinburgh City.
Raith Rovers have signed Hibs forward Jamie Gullan on a two and a half year deal. The 'Hammer' has been on loan at Starks Park three times previously making fifty appearances and already has 14 Rovers goals to his name. McGlynn has moved early in the market and midfielder Ben Williamson comes in on loan from Rangers and Sam Stanton from Dundalk. Christophe Berra should return to action for Raith, but Lewis Vaughan and Brad Spencer are out long term.
Here's Billy - Where's Wally?

 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Arbroath 0-0 Inverness CT

Smokies held.
 
The Caley Jags started 2022 with a game played in poor conditions at Gayfield. In a first half controlled by the weather chances were minimal. Joel Nouble burst into the box along the byeline but Mark Ridgers blocked to snuff out the danger. Aaron Doran drifted a curling shot just wide soon after before firing a second one high over the bar minutes later. Colin Hamilton went close after a lay-off in the box but it rose just over the corner of the bar. Ridgers saved low from Nouble inside the box five minutes before the break as Arbroath looked to have mastered the wind better, but the big fellow scuffed his shot somewhat to make the keepers job easier. Cammy Harper replaced the injured Aaron Doran a minute before the interval, leaving our bench even more fragile as the half time whistle went at 0-0. A big scramble in the visitors box just after the interval from a corner saw us hack the ball clear after some pinball. James Craigen slid a ball across the face of the goal from the left but it was just wide of the post and at the other end David Carson appeared to clip the outside edge of the post as he fired an effort from the edge of the box. The game petered out thereafter with neither side looking likely to score as the ball eluded everyone at the vital moments and a draw it was. Grim stuff in less than favourable circumstances and a point apiece it was. 
Full Time: 0-0
The first game of 2022 was another top of the table clash, this time it's Arbroath who head the table with Inverness three points behind looking to close the gap in a six-pointer at Gayfield in front of a covid restricted 500. A live stream was available from ArbroathFC TV for those not able to attend the game. Could the Smokies maintain the gap or could Inverness closed the gap and reduce the the seven goal advantage that Arbroath hold? Remember, every goal is a double pointer today.
Arbroath still have Joel Nouble for another couple of games and have taken Jack Hamilton back on loan (to add to the chaos with Chris & Colin already at Arbroath - Hamiltons R us) but were without the injured Scott Stewart. Inverness were returning off the back of a bout of covid on Boxing Day and a waterlogged postponement on the 29th against the Pars, who had been thumped on Boxing Day by Arbroath. Our last outing was a disappointing home defeat to Hamilton Accies, so no Festive cheer for us. Sean Welsh had been injured and was still missing with MacGregor, McAlear, Jamieson and Cammy Mackay all unavailable. Ryan Esson filled the sub keepers jersey with our bench a bit sparse.
Inverness had the strong wind at their backs in the first half with conditions challenging to say the least. Clear chances were hard to find throughout the ninety minutes with David Carson coming closest for the visitors. Even top scorer Michael McKenna struggled to make any headway. Second half Substitute Jack Hamilton did find the net as he deflected a wayward shot behind Ridgers but he had come back from an offside position before sticking out a boot to turn the  ball into the net and offside it was.
The report is basically as in the summary as the wind ruined any chance that a game of football might break out. Well done to both sides for venturing out in that weather and trying their hardest to put on a show. Alas, the weather won convincingly, even beating the Smokies TV stream as it conked out for around twenty minutes in the first half. So, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
More detail in the OFFICIAL REPORT from ICTFC
 
Dodds with the wind...

 
Date: 02/01/2022  Venue: Gayfield, Arbroath Attendance: 494 Referee: Colin Steven 
 
Arbroath: 0
Manager: Dick Campbell Lineup:  Gaston; Thomson, Little, O’Brien, Colin Hamilton, Chris Hamilton,  Gold (J Hamilton 70), Craigen (Linn 79), McKenna, Nouble, Dowds (Hilson 82) Subs (not used):  Antell; Swankie, Low, Donnelly Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup:  Ridgers; Duffy, Broadfoot, Devine, Deas, Walsh ()Hyde 86, Carson, Allardice, Doran (Harper 44), Sutherland, Mckay (Duku 76) Subs (not used): Esson; L Nicolson Scorers: none Booked: Allardice (12), Broadfoot (63), Devine (72) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2021-22 ·

Arbroath -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Smoking Smokies
 
The form team of 2021 entertain their table topping rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle as we first foot Gayfield on Sunday 2nd January. This game is scheduled for a 3:00pm kick-off and is the proverbial six pointer, but there is no guarantee of anything in these eerie times given our last two games were called off for covid at home to Partick and then a waterlogged pitch at Dunfermline. The game can be streamed live from Arbroath TV
RAITH ROVERS MATCH INFO
Have a good New Year when it comesFrom CTO editorial
Arbroath took full advantage in the one game they played with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Dunfermline on Boxing day to put the part-timers top of the league on their own. Part-timers they may be, but they are a well drilled unit with a shrewd manager at the helm in Dick Campbell and you have to give them full credit for what they have achieved so far this season. The team is littered with quality players and in Michael McKenna they have a proven reliable goal scorer who would not look out of place in the Premiership. He scored his 12th goal of the season against the Pars and is the top scorer in the Championship.
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 19 10 7 2 33 14 37 2. Inverness CT 18 10 4 4 26 14 34 3. Kilmarnock 19 10 3 6 24 14 33 4. Raith Rovers 19 9 6 4 27 19 33 5. Partick Thistle 18 9 4 5 30 16 31 6. Hamilton Ac. 19 5 5 9 19 34 20 7. Ayr United 19 4 6 9 18 32 18 8. Q.O.S. 18 4 5 9 19 26 17 9. Dunfermline 18 2 8 8 18 31 14 10. Morton 19 2 8 9 17 31 14  
January 2nd scheduled fixtures all 3:00pm
Arbroath v Caley Jags
Partick P Morton
Queens v Accies
Raith v Pars
The spoils are even this term. We edged the first one at Gayfield when Shane Sutherland bustled his way towards the box before dinking a delightful finish behind Gaston. In the reverse fixture Arbroath returned the favour after we lost our way and took the points in a 0-1 win. A second half goal from McKenna sufficient to win the game against a toothless Caley Jags back in October. CTO summary from that one: Inverness toiled to make any headway in a dour first half, the poor fare on display being matched only by the miserable weather. We improved in the final ten minutes before the interval but clear chances were at a premium. After the break and some initial half chances for the hosts, McKenna scored with a cross/shot free kick that caught out the keeper, possibly wind assisted. Inverness still struggled to create clear openings, an all too familiar habit of late. They could have doubled their lead soon after but Ridgers was in the right place to put Little's header over the bar. Thereafter we ruined what little chances we had by a lack of quality around the box and stout defending by Arbroath. Well done to them, they did what they had to do, we need to take a long hard look at how we are going about our business.
Last Time Out
Inverness slumped to defeat as Accies won 2-1 in the Highlands before Xmas. This was the second defeat to Accies this season who have been struggling but seem to be able to cancel us out and win, not always with eleven men. 
Arbroath pumped Dunfermline 3-0 at East End Park on Boxing Day. Goals from Breen (og), McKenna and a late one from Dowds sealed Pars fate.
Latest Team News
Who knows what's happening after the covid intervention. On the plus side, our injury situation should not be any worse given that we have not played since the 2-1 defeat to Accies on the 18th December. More recovery time for our Captain, who appears to be made of rice paper, but if fit he can be influential on the park. Here's hoping.
Arbroath's Joel Nouble could be playing his final game before heading back to Livingston with rumours circulating that Jack Hamilton is a strong contender to go the opposite direction. The big bustling striker will be missed at Arbroath as he scares the sh!t out of defenders with his physical presence. Should Hamilton join Arbroath, then that will be a decent bit of business for the Smokies as well.
📅 Fixture Rearranged 
Our cinch Championship match against Dunfermline Athletic will now take place on Saturday 22nd January, 3pm kick-off, at East End Park.
BYOB...Buy your own birdie. 🥧
 
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Dunfermline -V- Inverness CT - Preview *** GAME OFF ***

Hughes the Daddy
 
Inverness' cup winning manager John Hughes is now the man in charge at East End Park with the unenviable task of lifting the Pars up the table. The Caley Jags should be turning up in midweek, weather and covid permitting, the game is scheduled for a 7:45pm kick-off on Wednesday night. It's an early opportunity for both clubs to get back on track after festive flops and the stakes are high at both ends of the table.
OFFICIAL PREVIEW & STREAMING INFO
Last time out
Inverness failed to play on Boxing Day but our last game was a dismal failure as Accies won 2-1 in the Highlands before Xmas. Second defeat to Accies this season who have been struggling but seem to be able to cancel us out and win, not always with eleven men.
Dunfermline went down 3-0 at home to team of the season so far Arbroath. Their previous game was abandoned at Kilmarnock just after the hour with the score tied at 1-1, the fog making it impossible to continue, a real thick pea souper. Could have done with some fog in Inverness that day.  That game was Tommy Wright's last one in charge of Killie as he was sacked after it.
Venue - Head 2 Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 22 9 8 5 28 21 +7 Away 23 9 9 5 28 25 +3 Neutral 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 Total 47 18 18 11 59 50 +9  
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 19 10 7 2 33 14 37 2. Inverness CT 18 10 4 4 26 14 34 3. Raith Rovers 19 9 6 4 27 19 33 4. Kilmarnock 18 10 2 6 23 13 32 5. Partick Thistle 18 9 4 5 30 16 31 6. Hamilton Ac. 19 5 5 9 19 34 20 7. Ayr United 19 4 6 9 18 32 18 8. Q.O.S. 18 4 5 9 19 26 17 9. Dunfermline 18 2 8 8 18 31 14 10. Morton 18 2 7 9 16 30 13 Other fixtures on Wednesday night
Killie v Morton
Partick v Ayr Utd
Arbroath v Accies & Raith v Queens postponed. 
 
First game between the sides this season saw Dunfermline get their second point of the season in a goalless draw at East End Park. They went one better in November with a 2-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium as we imploded. Here's our summary from that game: Under Par: Inverness opened the scoring after probing well for over twenty minutes. M****** G****** drifted inside and the Pars defence opened up allowing him to get a shot away. It came back off the woodwork and Billy Mckay reacted first to knock the ball into the net. However, Dunfermline got their first win of the season as Inverness fired blanks thereafter, and goals from Kevin O'Hara assisted by a massive Danny Devine deflection and a great solo effort from Dom Thomas won the points for the Pars. Meh!
Despite that result, after fourteen games, the Pars were still bottom of the league on ten points with Inverness third on twenty-five.
Latest Team News
We had to pull out of our Boxing Day fixture against Partick Thistle due mainly to an outbreak of covid and the related isolation process. As Dodds alludes to in his pre-match interview we have some back although I think that might be a bit of a smoke screen  and we could still be seriously depleted. Only time will tell and see what Wednesday night brings. Sean Welsh has been injured and may still be receiving treatment, but it would be a bonus to have him back. Bit of deja vu from the November game with a diluted squad - Inverness were somewhat depleted with only five on the bench and Sean Welsh, Shane Sutherland, Manny Duku and Wallace Duffy all missing. On the bright side, David Carson returned to action at right back and Reece McAlear was in midfield. The Pars had a full bench which included Nicolay Todorov Ryan Dow and Craig Wighton. John Hughes was watching over his new side with Greg Shields taking charge of his final interim game as gaffer.
Yogi made his first signing in the experienced Steven Lawless from Motherwell
Dodds looking tentatively ahead to Wednesday night


By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT -V- Partick Thistle ***Game Off***

Omicron 1-0 Football
 
Game off due to outbreak of covid
Read Club Statement here
You might as well have the Preview anyway, it's no use to anyone now 
Omicron has appeared just in time to ruin Xmas, well, to be more precise, Boxing day. New restrictions will be in place for all games from Boxing Day, so be sure to check the Match Info from your club as a 500 crowd limit will be imposed on outdoor events. Unfortunately, what that means is that NO away fans will be permitted in to the Stadium. Omicron or not, how appropriate is it that we should play against the team that has Brian Graham plying his trade for them on Boxing Day. Yes, Partick Thistle are the opponents on the day when traditionally, gifts are given to the poor during the season of goodwill to all men, apart from Brian Graham. You can catch the action at 3:00pm on Sunday or watch the live stream from ICTV for £15. We passed on the opportunity to consolidate our position at the top of the table last weekend which has baffled many after the thrashing dished out to Morton the previous week. Accies threw a spanner in the works winning at the Caledonian Stadium last week which resulted in part time Arbroath hitting the top of the table on goal difference half way through the season. You've got to doff your cap to the main man with the bunnet who has done a tremendous job at Gayfield. 
Nonetheless, Merry Xmas from the CTO editorial team 
 
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 18 9 7 2 30 14 34 2. Inverness CT 18 10 4 4 26 14 34 3. Raith Rovers 18 9 6 3 27 17 33 4. Partick Thistle 18 9 4 5 30 16 31 5. Kilmarnock 17 9 2 6 20 11 29 6. Hamilton Ac. 18 5 5 8 17 31 20 7. Q.O.S. 18 4 5 9 19 26 17 8. Ayr United 18 3 6 9 16 32 15 9. Dunfermline 17 2 8 7 18 28 14 10. Morton 18 2 7 9 16 30 13 Other Championship games on Boxing Day
Ayr Utd v Rovers
Dunfermline v Arbroath FC
Accies v Killie
Morton v Queens
 
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 Time out
We went down 2-1 at home to Accies after surrendering a lead given to us through Cameron Harper in the 65th minute. That was his second goal for the club, his first in the Championship. Two goals in the space of three minutes from David Moyo and Andy Winter turned the game on it's head as Accies responded when we regressed. As we passed up chances to score it was deja vu from the first encounter this season, but they had eleven on the park this time. Disappointing result and we need to be more clinical around the box. Strange thing to have to say given the way we dealt with Morton, but an all too familiar scenario this season.
Partick did us all a favour at the weekend when a late goal in the fog at Firhill saw them beat 10 man Raith Rovers and put themselves back in contention only three points off the pace. Kyle Turner scored the winner in the 96th minute with Raith playing out the final half hour without the red carded Cristophe Berra.
First encounter this season ended at 3-1 to the Caley Jags after Partick had dominated the opening 45. Here's our summary from that game: 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...
Perennial cheat Brian Graham seemed to be involved in an off the ball altercation which left David Carson enraged. He was removed from the park by McCall immediately after. It's about time this thug in a football strip was taken to task.
Latest Team News
Billy Dodds has been without Sean Welsh for a couple of weeks and Aaron Doran limped off last week against Accies. Otherwise, we should have a fairly full squad to choose from unless we have had any more mystery training injuries to contend with.
Loosely connected to three of the teams mentioned in this preview, I see that Dougie Imrie has been appointed as the new Morton manager. The former Accies, Inverness and Morton player has a tough job on his hands there but good luck to him in that role.
Ian McCall
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

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