Such has been their impact in the SPL since their promotion in 2004, it is all too easy to forget that Inverness were in the third division as recently as 1997.
Yet despite their relatively meagre resources – the club paid a rare transfer fee, a record £65,000 for John Rankin, this summer – they have been knocking on the door of the top six for the past two seasons and threaten to do so again this time round.
Simple hard work, allied to good team spirit, robust players and a little quality in the right areas are all that it has taken and, in truth, it would be a surprise to see them involved at the wrong end of the table over the next few months. Traditionally fortunate with injuries, a spate of problems could derail them but you wouldn't bet on it.
First on the sheet
MARK BROWN
Craig Dargo's goals may make all the headlines but Brown is one of the most consistant custodians in the SPL. Commanding and secure, he rarely makes a mistake. He was Scotsport SPL's keeper keepie-uppie king, too.
How do they win?
Charlie Christie's men are far from a dirty side but they rarely lose the physical battle. Add that to their organisation and the goals of Craig Dargo and Dennis Wyness and a simple, but effective, formula is exposed. Christie is trying to introduce a more fluent approach, but if it works . . .
How do you beat them?
Play them in Inverness for a start – they are practically unbeatable away from the Caledonian Stadium. After that, exposing their centre-halves to pace can be a useful ploy but anything in the air is a lost cause.
History lesson
Stop the Caledonian Stadium being a welcoming place. If it means arranging traffic chaos on the A9, so be it.
Hampden Park or Glebe Park?
A top-six push will be the tentative aim but realistically consolidation and perhaps a good run in one of the cups will be acceptable.
Most likely to sign for Gretna?
Barry Wilson fits the Raydale prototype – an ageing pro with experience of several clubs in the upper echelons of Scottish football.
'The boys done good'
It's not that Christie is boring – far from it, he seems a most amiable chap – but few of his regular musings regarding his side stick out. His lilting Highland accent must just lull us all into some kind of dream-like state.
It's all about character
Ross Tokely and Ian Black stand out amid the shorn-headed behemoths in the side. Both have been accused of being excessively whole-hearted – off the field too in Tokely's case.
Inverness CT
July 27 2006
Such has been their impact in the SPL since their promotion in 2004, it is all too easy to forget that Inverness were in the third division as recently as 1997.
Yet despite their relatively meagre resources – the club paid a rare transfer fee, a record £65,000 for John Rankin, this summer – they have been knocking on the door of the top six for the past two seasons and threaten to do so again this time round.
Simple hard work, allied to good team spirit, robust players and a little quality in the right areas are all that it has taken and, in truth, it would be a surprise to see them involved at the wrong end of the table over the next few months. Traditionally fortunate with injuries, a spate of problems could derail them but you wouldn't bet on it.
First on the sheet
MARK BROWN
Craig Dargo's goals may make all the headlines but Brown is one of the most consistant custodians in the SPL. Commanding and secure, he rarely makes a mistake. He was Scotsport SPL's keeper keepie-uppie king, too.
How do they win?
Charlie Christie's men are far from a dirty side but they rarely lose the physical battle. Add that to their organisation and the goals of Craig Dargo and Dennis Wyness and a simple, but effective, formula is exposed. Christie is trying to introduce a more fluent approach, but if it works . . .
How do you beat them?
Play them in Inverness for a start – they are practically unbeatable away from the Caledonian Stadium. After that, exposing their centre-halves to pace can be a useful ploy but anything in the air is a lost cause.
History lesson
Stop the Caledonian Stadium being a welcoming place. If it means arranging traffic chaos on the A9, so be it.
Hampden Park or Glebe Park?
A top-six push will be the tentative aim but realistically consolidation and perhaps a good run in one of the cups will be acceptable.
Most likely to sign for Gretna?
Barry Wilson fits the Raydale prototype – an ageing pro with experience of several clubs in the upper echelons of Scottish football.
'The boys done good'
It's not that Christie is boring – far from it, he seems a most amiable chap – but few of his regular musings regarding his side stick out. His lilting Highland accent must just lull us all into some kind of dream-like state.
It's all about character
Ross Tokely and Ian Black stand out amid the shorn-headed behemoths in the side. Both have been accused of being excessively whole-hearted – off the field too in Tokely's case.