Back to Life after Death

It was another quiet week in the life and death of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, as we died a few times before Alan Savage once again applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation to breathe new life back into our lifeless soul. Having mentioned administration earlier in the day, his next statement shortly after was much appreciated by the fans. An "Amicable deal has been struck that saves club from administration all stakeholders should be delighted" quote from Sir Savage, or as we now call him around these parts Sir Alan Salvage, a title bestowed on him by one of our more astute forum members. Meanwhile the revelations keep coming, but at least Mr Savage has caught the attention of the fans with his transparency and speed at which he has conducted his "forensic audit", struck "amicable deals" and removed bad eggs. Nothing short of a miracle to be honest as he has strived to correct five years of wrongdoings in five days of scrutiny and integrity. The freedom of the City awaits Sir Salvage.

In the meantime, we still have a team to support and olde adversaries Queen of the South come North on Saturday for a League 1 encounter. Queens are the only other 'full time' squad in the division with genuine aspirations of getting back into the Championship and we last played them at the end of season 21/22. 

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Match/Ticket/Shop/Bar Info

Connall Ewan loan

James Nolan Loan

Oh No!

Oh Yes!

Challenge Cup 7th September

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Home advantage is usually a good indicator as to the outcome of these encounters. However, given our plight this will negate that advantage and we will be looking for our defender heavy squad to keep us interested.

1 - 2 (A)

2 - 2 (H)

2 - 1 (A)

2 - 1 (H)

1 - 1 (A)

0 - 1 (H)

3 - 0 (A)

3 - 1 (H)

2 - 0 (A)

2 - 0 (H)

Our first ever game against Queen of the South was a Scottish Cup tie in December 1994:   An indifferent display saw Caley Thistle lose their first Scottish Cup match to a competent Queen of the South side. The second division team were first on the attack and Bell nearly connected with a Jackson cross. In the 10th minute Wilson Robertson was set up by Charlie Christie but he shot over the bar. Both sides had further chances with the home side's best effort being when a Mike Andrew drive was well saved by Purdie. In the second half Purdie again saved well from Noble & Robertson. At the other end McRitchie made a tremendous save from Kennedy and from the kick out found Robertson in space - he ran towards goal but his 25 yard drive thundered off the upright. In 73 and 83 minutes the game was settled when the visitors scored 2 identical goals - direct shots from free kicks on the edge of the area by Bell & Bryce. McAllister scored a consolation goal in the last minute for the home side. 

Starting XI

Mark McRitchie
Dave Brennan
Mark McAllister
Mike Andrew
Mike Noble
Sergei Baltacha
Steven MacDonald
Norman MacMillan (McKenzie 56)
Charlie Christie
Alan Hercher
Wilson Robertson

Subs: Jim Calder, Paul McKenzie, Colin Mitchell.

Queen of the South: Purdie (gk) B. McKeown, D. McKeown, Campbell, Hetherington, McFarlane, Bryce, Bell, McLaren, Kennedy 
Jackson

FULL TIME: 1-2

Scottish Cup - Rd 1: Saturday, December 17th, 1994, 3:00 PM Telford Street Park, Inverness
Attendance: 1,100: Referee: S Dougal

Report by Ian Broadfoot

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Season so far

Inverness: 1-1 v Dumbarton, 0-1 @ Annan Athletic, 1-1 v Montrose, 0-0 @ Kelty Hearts.

QotS: 0-0 @ Alloa, 2-1 v Cove, 2-0 v Annan Athletic, 0-1 @ Montrose.

All 3:00pm Fixtures this weekend 

• Arbroath v Alloa Ath
• Cove Rangers v Montrose Fc  
• Dumbarton v Kelty Hearts
• Inverness CT v Queen South
• Stenhousemuir v Annan Athletic 

Latest Team News

Inverness: Four players are out for around the next month. Keeper Jack Newman out for another three to four weeks, as is Luis Longstaff, who is awaiting news on a scan for his thigh injury and Ethan Cairns. The latest set back for the Caley Jags is is that Keith Bray is out for two to three weeks with a hip flexor issue. Hopefully see all these guys around November then. Jack Walker has been loaned out to Nairn County until January 2025. That no doubt came about as a result of the young County prospect, centre back Connall Ewan signing a one year loan from our neighbours. The Caley Jags badly need a proven striker, and with that in mind, they have managed to bring in midfielder Paul Allan who played as a sub at Kelty and defender Connall Ewan from Dingwall.

Is this a sign from Johndo as he watches over us. James Nolan, who was born in Chorley, has come to us on a season long loan from Manchester United youth. He's a versatile player from defence to attack.

Queens Team v Montrose last weekend

Queen of the South: Queens suffered a surprise defeat at Montrose last week and to add insult to injury, defender Harry Cochrane, who was celebrating his 100th appearance, got his marching orders in the 91st minute moments after Brydon had left the field with a possible hamstring injury leaving just nine on the park at the end for Queens. Despite having favourable stats it was Montrose that took the points when Craig Brown shot into the bottom corner from outside the box in the twenty-first minute. Cammy Gill made a couple of great saves for Montrose to keep their noses ahead. Cochrane will miss this one after his red card. Fraser Brydon might miss out and Lewis O'Donnell took a heavy knock. Note that Kai Kennedy is at Palmerston and he looked a dangerous player when at Inverness a few seasons ago.

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This is NOT a Training Drill

This away day is not a training drill as our binned regime might have once thought about, but this will be a fans celebration of the support, leadership and friendship of one extraordinary fan, Johndo Mackenzie, otherwise known on CaleyThistleOnline as The Immortal Howden Ender. Johndo was a regular at home and away games for many a season, befriending everyone he met, olde or young, it mattered not to Johndo.  With his amiable larger than life character, he could be found leading those with the best of intentions astray on occasion. He was partial to a cheeky wee conga, one example at Rugby Park and he was not shy when it came to starting chants, easily recognisable in his kilt and often tastefully coloured beard and mullet:

O2-O2B-O2BA-JAGGY...

GIVE ME AN I...

OH INVERNESS, IS WONDERFUL...

WHO PUT THE O AND THE Y IN COUNTY...... rant chant rinse repeat.

Johndo gained the respect and legendary status within our support and this weekend we are dedicating this away day to him, as a mark of respect for his unstinting services to supporting our club, his cameraderie, his genial presence and most of all to show our love for his family friends and the man himself.

Respect & Rest in Peace Johndo, we will carry on your work here whilst you sip a large voddie & coke.

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Match/Ticket/Johndo Special info & Supporters Bus

Heart Foundation Donations for Johndo

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Alan Savage has steadied the ship since removing Scot Gardiner and going through the books with a fine toothcomb. He has done in one week what the entire board and CEO failed to do in five years of tyranny. Give this man the freedom of Inverness.

Of course, there is the minor matter of a game of football to deal with on Saturday as well when we take on table toppers Kelty Hearts at our training ground away venue of New Central Park, Kelty. So who is playing for Kelty these days? Former Inverness defender Brad Mckay's loan ended at the close of last season and he now plays for Brechin City. Scot Allan is a new recruit joining from struggling Arbroath. Michael Tidser, once of Ross County is also at Kelty as is robust defender Tam O'Ware who has been at Morton and Partick Thistle.

The hosts season so far

Kelty Hearts top the League table at the moment with two wins and a draw. They opened their campaign with a draw (1-1) at Montrose followed by a 2-0 home win over Stenhousemuir and then a convincing 3-0 win at Arbroath. Ross Cunningham has scored three, with Scott Allan scoring twice and Scott Williamson with one strike.

<<< That was their starting XI at Arbroath.

Players In: Callum Flatman, defender (Hearts); Murray Thomas, forward (Hearts); Brody Paterson, defender (Hartlepool United); Scott Allan, midfielder (Arbroath); Scott Mercer, defender (Bonnyrigg Rose); Murray Miller, midfielder (Stirling Albion); Liam Brown, midfielder (East Kilbride); Ryan Adamson, goalkeeper (Cumbernauld Colts); Luke McCarvel, forward (Cumbernauld Colts); Robbie Cole, midfielder (Civil Service Strollers).

Latest Team News

Inverness are interested in young Aberdeen striker Alfie Bavidge. Alfie, 18, is the son of former Caley Jags striker Martin Bavidge who made 96 appearances for the Caley Jags. That makes him the grandson of Mitch Bavidge, the former Caley player. Incidentally, Alfie was on loan at Kelty Hearts last season scoring nine goals in twenty-five appearances and has been capped at u16, u17 and u19 level for Scotland.

Jack Newman will be missing after going back to Dundee United for now with a knee injury which means that Musa Dibaga will get his second start. Luis Longstaff is out for a month with a thigh injury, Ethan Cairns has been out with a health issue recently. and there is no mention of his condition.

Gable Endies Trip North

A week is a long time in the changing faces of Caley Thistle. Montrose are the visitors this weekend as news of a Savage intervention overpowered the extra sensory perceptions of fantasy that were wafting around the Caledonian Stadium as if they were going out of fashion. Not since the early days of LSD have we been subjected to such psychedelia and hallucinatory fables that we were experiencing at the moment as philanthropist or fantasist Ketamine McWannabe attempted to pull the wool over the eyes of those we once trusted to lead our club in search of the holy graill. He did manage to bluff his way through a few clowns, but sense and sensibility will now take over as the prodigal son, Alan Savage, returns to stabilise the club. The club motto is 'Pride of the Highlands'. It was about to be altered to 'Laughing Stock of the North'. But wait! There is a God afterall, his name is Savage, Alan Savage. Was it written in the stars...

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Match/Ticket Info

Savage Intervention

Supporters Trust

Forensic Audit topic on CTO

Safety Message

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On hearing the news, the fans turned a Whiter Shade of Pale: To be honest, it was akin to a scene from the Wizard of Oz with the Munchkins showing much merryment.

We skipped the light fandango, turned some cartwheels across the floor, I was feeling kind of seasick, when the crowd called out for more. The room was humming harder, and the ceiling flew away when I called out for another drink the waiter brought a tray...  

Apologies for the lack of Football information on the preview this week. Unfortunately a lot has happened in a very short space of time and it's difficult to keep abreast of the situation as it changes everytime you log in to the laptop. What we do know is that Alan Savage will conduct a 'forensic review' of all that is concerning the club in these difficult times. Scotty has started a topic on CTO to discuss this. Scot Gardiner has been shown the door and with Alan Savage at the helm we can be assured that all will be upfront and integrity will return. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg and the deeper they dive, the more we will know about our plight. We are not out of the woods by any means, but it is the first positive step forward in what will be a long arduous trek after years of self inflicted decline from within. 

Last Time Out

Inverness lost out again at Annan as they did on League Cup duty when a Tommy Goss penalty was the difference between the two sides. Goss also scored the only goal in the League Cup game. A disappointing result on the back of a 1-1 draw against Dumbarton in the League opener at the Caledonian stadium. Danny Devine opening our account on half time but a resurgent Son's perked up after the break and got a deserved equaliser. Billy Mckay makes his 300th appearance for Inverness tomorrow. What a legend sitting on 112 goals. Note to Dunc. Billy is a striker, so let's see him strike please.

Montrose have drawn their opening two fixtures in the League. A 1-1 draw at home to Kelty was followed by a goalless draw at Arbroath. Craig Brown scored the goal on the hour against Kelty who hit back soon after through Cunningham. Surprise surprise, but Michael Gardyne was sent off after an hour against Arbroath and will be suspended for the trip North.

We will find Montrose a stubborn team and our last encounters with them saw us scrape through the play-offs at the end of last season. That's sort of irrelevant now with our playing staff decimated and morale at rock bottom.

<<<That was their starting XI against Arbroath last week. No massive squad changes from last term but Gardyne suspended.

In: Ben MacIver-Redwood, forward (Stirling University); Craig Smith, defender (Heriot-Watt University).

Loan in: Blair McKenzie, defender (Aberdeen); Callum Hannah, defender (Raith Rovers).

Out: Liam Callaghan, midfielder (Arbroath); Ben Hermiston, forward (Deveronvale, undisclosed); Craig Batchelor, forward.

30 years On...

Thirty years on from our entry into the Scottish League system when we were then known as Caledonian Thistle, we head to Galabank Stadium, Annan, for a League 1 game, having already lost there this season in the League Cup group stages. This will be only the fourth meeting between the two clubs having won the first two 8-1 and 4-0 many moons ago before losing 1-0 last month.

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Match/Ticket/Bus Info

Thirty Years Ago Today

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Not much has changed since we played Annan a month ago.

Ethan Cairns is still out with a health issue. Trialist keeper still not signed up. Spoke to the 'Owner', hopeful of adding another couple of players. Wallace Duffy is also still a possibility. 

Annan beat Cove Rangers last week in their opening League fixture.

Second half goals from Max Kilsby, Josh Todd and Malik Zaid gave Annan a 3-1 win over Cove. That win put Annan at the top of the table on goal difference.

The League cup encounter was a close affair against Inverness and Tommy Goss got the winner despite a promising display from Inverness where Ferguson felt we were unfortunate not to take something from the game.

Whilst Annan were beating Cove, we were drawing with Dumbarton in a game of two halfs. An opening headed goal from Danny Devine put us ahead just on the interval in a lively opening 45'. Alas we went back ito our shell after the break and the Sons capitalised on that to draw level.

The Good Old Days

Who remembers this one?

Four days before the legend that was Alan Hercher scored that opening day League hat-trick against Arbroath at Telford Street in a 5-2 League fixture, we faced East Stirlingshire in the Coca Cola Cup first round and came away with a 2-0 win thanks to first half goals from Wilson Robertson and Alan Hercher.

Report by Ian Broadfoot:  A fine performance by Caledonian Thistle in their first competitive match won them a second round tie against Dundee. The home 'keeper Moffat denied both Hercher and McAllister but the deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when Wilson Robertson scored after a 1-2 with Paul MacKenzie. Just on half time they went two ahead - Hercher distracted Ian Lee and a Scott corner ricocheted into the net off the defender. Alan Hercher was credited with the goal. In the second half the result was never in doubt and both MacDonald and Hercher nearly increased the visitors' lead. East Stirling did come close seven minutes from time when John Scott was forced to clear from his line. A few minutes later Robertson and Noble had shots saved by Moffat. In the last minute a Geraghty shot nearly gave East Stirling a consolation goal but it came off the bar.

League Cup - Rd 1
Tuesday, August 9th, 1994, 7:30 PM at Firs Park, Falkirk
Attendance: 899
Referee: M Clark

League 1 we're here 

Our first game in the third tier of Scottish football for twenty six years begins on Saturday with the visit of Dumbarton FC. We seem to have avoided playing Dumbarton often with only eight encounters overall. We did spend a season with them in the Championship in 2017/2018 and we also lifted the Challenge Cup in Perth thanks to a late Carl Tremarco strike in March 2018. However, times have changed and not for the better at the Caledonian Stadium and we will be looking for our youngsters to get us out of trouble against a seasoned Dumbarton FC.

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Interim Chairman

Match/Ticket Info

Investment Topic on CTO

Keogh, Rebilas, Corner

Immortal Howden Ender 6th minute

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IrnBru cheer for Inverness: 1 - 0  Inverness lifted the IrnBru Cup at McDiarmid Park Perth after a narrow 1-0 win over Dumbarton. It took a stoppage time goal from Carl Tremarco to settle the tie with Dumbarton putting up stiff resistance before substitute Daniel Mackay fired a challenging low cross into the box. Carl added the finishing touch to take the silverware North. This was Dumbarton's first crack at a national trophy for 121 years. Alas for them, it might take a bit longer to get their hands on a Cup, but it was not for the want of trying.
Most of the hype in the build up was centered around the Rock with the Dumbarton marketing team winning hands down and that ensured a good following when the circus came to Perth. The Highland reserved approach tempted the regular followers along to watch Inverness in their fourth Challenge cup final, Robbo's second in charge. The merryment prior to kick off was held in hostelries in the Fair City and the Tulloch Institute hosted a pre-match gig which was well patronised by both sets of supporters in jovial mood with plenty of shouting juice passing over the lips.

Happy Days 

1 - 2 (A)

1 - 0 (A)

5 - 1 (H)

1 - 0 (N)

1 - 0 (H)

1 - 2 (A)

3 - 1 (H)

2 - 0 (H)

This summary from Immortal Howden Ender is also on that report.  And finally, our resident seer Immortal Howden Ender was in a feelgood mood; he must have seen that coming, surely? Well I enjoyed yet another memorable ICT away day. Those who I expected to see I met and saw. Nowt wrong with the atmosphere. As fer the game it was poor but both teams set up defensively. Loads of positives to me. Ridgers has cemented his place and really is a solid keeper. Donaldson was immense, Tremarco is the Duracell Bunny, Polworth ran his socks off as did Oakley and we appear to have unearthed a wee cracker in MacKay - simply has to be signed up - with sell on clauses - and given some real game time. We never looked troubled, defensively we kept it tight and shaped, thought we played some pretty stuff a times BUT as all season lacked the killer touch in the last third and lack of a proficient striker. We deserved to win. Our heads could have gone down after that deplorable penalty kick but we kept to the age old adage of keeping going to the final whistle. Respect to the team and the loyal away support. Just need to get out of the play off spot and start planning for next season. Cant believe that so many are whingeing. To me it was a last gasp winner, just as stimulating and enjoyable as the Vincent clincher at Hampden - and giving most fans a well deserved, albeit wholly unexpected cup winning experience in the worst season in years. We are still alive and kicking and the only way is up dudes.
Have a nice day

RIP Johndo😢 Join us to celebrate Johndo's Last Conga.

Dumbarton FC

Aberdeen beat Dumbarton 6-0 last weekend in the League Cup group stages. All square at the interval, the Dons pulled away in the second half to record a big win over the Sons.

<<< Sons squad last Saturday v Aberdeen.

In: Joel Mumbongo, forward (Hamilton Academical); Mouhamed Niang, midfielder (Cove Rangers); Matty Shiels, defender (Cove Rangers); Craig McGuffie, midfielder (Queen of the South); Cammy Clark, defender (Stirling Albion); Michael Miller, defender (Broomhill).

Out: Blair Malcolm, midfielder (Forfar Athletic); Ross MacLean, forward (Forfar Athletic); Sean Crighton, defender (Queen's Park, coach); Harry Broun, goalkeeper (Stranraer); Callum Wilson, midfielder (Cumbernauld Colts); Marc Kelly, midfielder (St Cadoc's); Luca Vata, midfielder.

Loan ended: Gallagher Lennon, defender (St Mirren); Jay Hogarth, goalkeeper (Rangers); James Graham, forward (Rangers); Aaron Healy, midfielder (Queen's Park); Cian Newbury, defender (Hamilton Academical).

Inverness have signed on Academy graduates Shae Keogh,  Goal Keeper Szymon Rebilas and Ben Corner. We have also signed two recent trialists in Adam Mackinnon and Flynn Duffy. Adam, a 21 year old midfielder has signed a two tear deal whilst left back Flynn (20) has secured a one year deal with further options.

Dundee at The Hedge

We travel not to Dundee, but Brechin to face the Dark Blues in our final Group D game with little to no hope of progressing. Dens Park is still recovering from closed season work and the tie will be held at Glebe Park, Brechin. It's been a sombre week amongst our fanbase with the sad passing of Johndo Mackenzie, or as we know him on here, The Immortal Howden Ender. Tributes to Johndo can be read on the forum by clicking on the link below.

News of investment came through this afternoon but it's too early to decide if this will be a sustainable solution for the Caley Jags. You can read the official statement from the club and our thoughts on the CTO forum by clicking the links below. We will post more on this subject as the investment story gathers pace.

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Match/Ticket/ Bus Info

Investment Statement

Investment discussion on CTO

Johndo Tributes on CTO

Nikola Ujdur off to QP

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Our opponents, Dundee, had this squad on duty on Tuesday night against Annan Athletic. Dundee eventually won 3-1 with a couple of late goals to see off Annan. Simon Murray opened the scoring after half an hour but Annan levelled less than ten minutes later. Murray got his second with five minutes remaing and Seb Palmer-Houlden sealed the win in the 90th minute. Dundee top Group D table having thumped Bonnyrigg Rose 1-7 before easing to a 2-0 away win over Arbroath. It would be nothing short of miraculous should we qualify for the knock-out stages, although that might not be enough given our Head 2 Head defeat to Annan.

Danny Devine should be fit and Jack Walker has recovered from a head knock sustained against Arbroath.

Duncan Ferguson talking ahead of the Dundee game

Last time out saw us lose a penaly shoot-out to Arbroath but football took a back seat that night as news of Johndo's departure filtered through on that day. RIP my friend, you will be missed by all who crossed your path and I will miss your colourful match reports when you offered them on away visits to far flung places.

Who remembers this one at Killie with the cheerleader making an appearance at 1:40...

Group D Also Rans

Fellow Championship drop-outs Arbroath head North on Tuesday night for what looks likely to be a dead rubber with both sides off the pace in Group D of this seasons League Cup. With Annan Athletic sitting top of the group on 7 points, one ahead of Dundee, it will take a brave man to predict that either Inverness or Arbroath can scrape into the knockout stages of the competition. Some promising performances from the young guns on Saturday and a repeat of that would be pleasing, but let's not forget that Arbroath will be a step up in level from Bonnyrigg. It may also lay down a marker for the League campaign but both squads might be reduced in numbers with so little at stake.

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Match/Ticket Info

RIP Johndo, the one & only Immortal Howden Ender

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 💔It is with great sadness that one of our long term Caley and then Inverness CT supporters has passed away. Johndo Mackenzie, or as most of us on CTO knew him as Immortal Howden Ender, suffered a heart attack this morning after a couple of recent scares. Scotty has put a lovely tribute on the CTO site and you can read it by clicking the above link. Rest in peace my friend, you were one of a kind, and although you may have 'moved on', you will always be Immortal to those that knew you. 💔

Fixtures Tonight

• Inverness CT v Arbroath
• Dundee v Annan Athletic

Fixtures on Saturday

• Bonnyrigg v Arbroath 
• Dundee v Inverness CT (@ Brechin)

Here's the Group D Table ahead of Tuesday nights fixtures.

Dundee as you would have expected beat Arbroath 2-0. However the Smokies suffered a shock 3-0 home reverse against Annan last Saturday having being reduced to ten men (Scott Stewart 42') whilst we were beating Bonnyrigg 3-0 after a slick first half display. We lost our opening fixture 1-0 at Annan which, although not impossible, makes it highly unlikely that we will progress given our final fixture is away to Dundee at Brechin. Our goals against Rose were well taken by Adam Brooks, Keith Bray and Luis Longstaff. Arbroath have failed to score in their two fixtures.

Arbroath have also made big changes after dropping out of the Chamoionship. Jim McIntyre is still the manager.

In: Jack Wilkie, defender (Dundee); Layton Bisland, defender (Dundee United); Calum Gallagher, forward (Airdrieonians); Robbie Hemfrey, goalkeeper (Airdrieonians); Gavin Reilly, forward (Queen of the South); Liam Callaghan, midfielder (Montrose).

Out: Scott Allan, midfielder (Kelty Hearts); Michael McKenna, midfielder (Falkirk); Zak Delaney, defender (Greenock Morton); Kyle Robinson, forward (Athlone Town); Leighton McIntosh, forward (Queen of the South); Jay Bird, forward (Exeter City); Derek Gaston, goalkeeper (Stirling Albion); Darren Lyon, midfielder (Clyde); Jess Norey, midfielder (East Fife); Ally Adams, goalkeeper (East Fife); Keaghan Jacobs, midfielder (Gala Fairydean Athletic); Ricky Little, defender (Beith); Kenan Dünnwald-Turan, midfielder.

Loan ended: Max Boruc, goalkeeper (Hibernian); Adam Mackinnon, midfielder (Ross County); Charlie Reilly, midfielder (Dundee); Connor Teale, defender (Fleetwood Town).

This was Arbroath's starting XI against Annan Athletic on Saturday. Gavin Reilly & Calum Gallagher missed out through injury and Colin Hamilton went off injured after 20' to be replaced by Stowe. Scott Stewart was red carded and will be suspended for the visit to Inverness.

Jim McIntyre was no a happy chappy after the defeat to Annan. He felt they were poor in the final third, the final pass was poor and they lacked quality. Sounds familiar. "What positives can you take from this afternoon Jim?" Jim replied: "Not a lot".

For Inverness, Danny Devine took a hip knock on Saturday and is a major doubt. Ethan Cairns has been out injured and Lewis Nicolson is still recovering. Ferguson is hinting that our time is probably over in the League Cup and therefore we may be fielding a pretty young side. With that in mind and despite our financial predicament, £18 for a ticket seems a bit steep given the liklihood of a reduced squad full of upcoming youngsters.