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Queens away March 2025

Palmerston Perils

 

Only six games left to save our skins and we face a perilous trek to Dumfries to play Queen of the South in what has always been a tricky place to extricate points from. Our last visit to Palmerston saw Admin Brooks take 'revenge' on his former club as he scored twice in a 3-2 win for the hosts. We came from two nil down to level the game through Bavidge and Bray but were undone ten minutes from the end when substitute Jordan Allan scored the winner. We did avenge that a couple of weeks later with a 1-0 win in Inverness courtesy of another Alfie Bavidge goal. Unfortunately injuries have somewhat thwarted our progress up the table lately with Bavidge, Longstaff and MacLeod missing. Add red carded Remi Savage to that list as we head for Dumfries. On the plus side, Musa Dibaga is back after his squad call up for Gambia.

An encouraging statement was released by the Joint Administrators this week after productive talks with interested parties appear to have ironed out some issues to enable the Admin Process to progress to a conclusion without further legal issues being raised. It is expected the process will continue through April. Read the statement in the Positive Admin Link below.

STOP PRESS 28th March 2025

Minutes after publishing the Preview, Alan Savage played his opening hand with an £800K bid to buy the club.

"Everyone who has an interest in Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club knows the predicament the Club is in.

"With the clock ticking I thought it was the right time to bring my personal offer to the table to buy the Club out of administration.

It is as follows:

"I am setting up a company, let’s call it FC Inverness as a special purpose vehicle to buy the Club out of Administration for £800,000 and this offer is open until close of business 11th April 2025.

"For the record: If my action prompts the acceleration of a better offer from another Buyer I will immediately step aside. My offer last August was to fund this club for 3 months until a buyer was found, this was extended to the end of the season and that still stands. But without ownership and full control I can only pay up to June’s wages if my offer is not accepted.

Over to BDO.

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Match/Ticket/Supporters Bus/Info

Positive Admin Developments

Alan's Salvage Bid

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Venue: H2H Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / -
Home 23 14 3 6 40 26 +14
Away 21 8 7 6 36 25 +11
Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 44 22 10 12 76 51 +25

The away fixture at Palmerston is a lot tighter than the fixture in the Highlands where we hold a good advantage over the Doonhamers. This one is always a difficult encounter with the extra mileage adding to the misery on a poor day at the office.

Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Queens
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1 - 0
(H)
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2 - 3
(A)
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1 - 0
(H)
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1 - 2
(A)
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2 - 2
(H)
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2 - 1
(A)
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2 - 1
(H)
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1 - 1
(A)
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0 - 1
(H)
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3 - 0
(A)

Biggest away win in recent times was a 3-0 win in the Championship in 2020. Inverness deservedly opened the scoring through Kai Kennedy in the 20th minute, his first goal for the club as he cut in from the left and scored low behind Leighfield from a tight angle, the ball coming off the keepers leg. Roddy MacGregor scored a second with a tremendous finish five minutes after the break to give Inverness a cushion. Miles Storey secured the points with a vicious left footed shot into the bottom corner from fifteen yards. Great three points for Inverness and consolidation in the middle of the table. Queen of the South were the last side we played back in March before covid19 came along and changed our lives. On that occasion Inverness ran out 3-1 winners.

INVERNESS CT  The Season So Far

D L  D  D W D D D L   / W L  D W W W L  W L  

W W W W W W / W L  D 

Since Scott Kellacher was handed the reins in game 11, there has been a more positive approach to our matches which has resulted in improved performances and a more enjoyable matchday experience all round. Alas we were brought back to earth with a disappointing result in our last game of 2024, a crushing 1-4 defeat at home to Cove Rangers. We'll have to put that one down to a bad day at the office. However, we bounced back in our first game of the second half of the season in the six pointer against Dumbarton with a hard fought 2-0 win. That win over Dumbarton was a vital one and the introduction of Alfie Bavidge was a welcome one as he opened the scoring early in the first half. Charlie Gilmour slotted in the clincher in the second half to give us a cushion over the Sons and to narrow the gap on Annan to seven points. We took part in the only League1 game the next weekend and came away from Annan with a resounding 3-0 win, Alfie Bavidge netting again with Keith Bray and then Billy Mckay from the spot.  It was then on to Palmerston on the Tuesday night but in a five goal encounter we went down 3-2. Alfie Bavidge notched his third goal in three games and Keith Bray added a second but goals from Adam Brooks (2) and Jordan Allan kept the points in Dumfries. We bounced back with a resilient 1-2 win at Alloa in our third away game on the bounce, Dunfermline bound Keith Bray with his fourth of the season and Alfie Stewart. We got our revenge at home to QotS (1-0) with Alfie Bavidge scoring his fourth goal in five appearances. Alas it was a bridge too far at Arbroath and we went down losing three without reply. The Stenhousemuir fixture was postponed and was re-arranged for March 11th. We went to Kelty and came away with a narrow 1-0 win thanks to Alfie's 5th goal in 7 appearances. Montrose proved to be stubborn opponents and it took a superb diving header from Keith Bray to rescue a point in a rather turgid encounter after Sandilands had opened the scoring in the first half. A last gasp win at Dumbarton on the Saturday with Alfie Bavidge scoring his 6th goal in 9 games. Unfortunately Alfie was injured early on against Stenhousemuir in midweek but that didn't stop us running up a 4-1 win with goals from Brannan, Gilmour, Bray and Allan. Annan came North on Saturday in a six-pointer and it was a disappointing defeat after Annan parked the bus after scoring in the third minute. Next up was a 1-1 draw with Alloa despite hitting the woodwork twice and missing a penalty.

Scott Kellacher will be without Luis Longstaff who has a hamstring operation and missed the last four games. Kellacher said in last midweek to the press: “Alfie won’t be involved against Alloa. The scan came back a wee bit unclear so he is waiting to do another scan. “He has to rest for probably the next 10 days to see if it settles down, and then they will try to get another image of it. Then we’ll know where we go from there. “We also had two or three wee niggles which included Calum MacLeod who missed out again. With Remi Savage red-carded against Alloa, he will miss the game in Dumfries. Musa Dibaga should return after Aidan Rice filled in last week with a good performance from the young Celtic B keeper between the sticks. I presume Connal Ewan will slot in at centre back. Alas our bench has a dearth of quality which goes hand in hand with administration.

Latest Updates from Scott Kellacher talking to Paul Chalk @ P&J: Inverness have had three trialists training up North this week. One goalkeeper, Yan Gromov, right back Diste Camara Sylla, and forward Malick Diakite from North West Counties League side Squires Gate. The club awaits Alfie Bavidge's second scan results. No further update on Calum MacLeod. Big Musa is back and raring to go.

 

William Hill League 1 Week 31

Pos Team Pld Gd Pts
1 Arbroath 30 17 54
2 Cove  30 18 49
3 Stenny 30 12 49
4 Alloa Ath 30 5 41
5 Queen of Sth 30 -5 39
6 Kelty Hearts 30 0 37
7 Montrose 30 -5 36
8 Inverness CT ⬆️ 30 4 33
9 Annan Ath    ↕️ 30 -25 30
10 Dumbarton  ⬇️  30 -21 10

 

ImageLAST SIX: L  W L  L  W D 

They started their last six losing 0-3 at home to Arbroath. That was reversed by a 3-0 humping of Montrose before defeat at home by Kelty (0-1) and 3-1 at Cove. They picked up a win at home to Alloa (3-2) before last weeks 0-0 draw at Dumbarton. So, mixed results for Queens since we beat them 1-0 (which was followed by a 2-1 loss at Stenhousemuir 7 games ago). Admin Brooks is their top scorer with 7 goals and former Caley Jags winger Kai Kennedy is one to watch.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's our run-in over the (hopefully) last five games.

 April 2025
 5th 3:00:PM Cove Rangers (A) League (League 1)    -     -  -  
 12th 3:00:PM Kelty Hearts (H) League (League 1)    -     -  -  
 19th 3:00:PM Stenhousemuir (A) League (League 1)    -     -  -  
 26th 3:00:PM Arbroath (H) League (League 1)    -     -  -  
 May 2025
 3rd 3:00:PM Montrose (A) League (League 1)    -     -  -  

 

 

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  • CaleyHedgehog
    CaleyHedgehog

    Best of luck to ICT today, and welcome back to Musa...we missed you. All the off pitch shenanigans must be exhausting  for the team and coaches, but they have stood firm all season and done our c

  • Pregnant footballer Jack Hannah wheels away in delight after scoring his first goal for Queen of the South. Jack, who identifies as a footballer, scored the equaliser five minutes after Alfie Stewart

  • They are common names around the squad these days since administration. Obviously, Longstaff, Davidson, Bavidge, Nicolson would all be pretty much first choice, with MacLeod the promising newbie

Featured Replies

  • Author

Casualty List

  1. Luis Longstaff (groin op recovery)
  2. Alfie Bavidge (hamstring recovery)
  3. Lewis Nicolson (knee op recovery)
  4. Jake Davidson (knee op recovery)
  5. Calum MacLeod (hip)
  6. Ethan Cairns (appendix post op)
  7. Jack Walker (tonsilitis)
  8. Shae Keogh (calf)
  9. Ben Corner (knee cartilage recovery)
  10. No word on James Nolan yet
15 minutes ago, tm4tj said:

Casualty List

  1. Luis Longstaff (groin op recovery)
  2. Alfie Bavidge (hamstring recovery)
  3. Lewis Nicolson (knee op recovery)
  4. Jake Davidson (knee op recovery)
  5. Calum MacLeod (hip)
  6. Ethan Cairns (appendix post op)
  7. Jack Walker (tonsilitis)
  8. Shae Keogh (calf)
  9. Ben Corner (knee cartilage recovery)
  10. No word on James Nolan yet

Not good news but we will just have to get on with it with the remaining players we have and hopefully avoid the playoffs 

18 hours ago, STFU said:

10 months of conditioning under the previous manager doesn't easily disappear.

Ah yes, of course! 

Big musa at fault for the equaliser. Their 3rd goal well crafted and well taken.

was planning cove next week instead of RC v a resurgent dons. Heading to Dundee instead to watch my grandson play for RC u11 

 

 

21 hours ago, tm4tj said:

Casualty List

  1. Luis Longstaff (groin op recovery)
  2. Alfie Bavidge (hamstring recovery)
  3. Lewis Nicolson (knee op recovery)
  4. Jake Davidson (knee op recovery)
  5. Calum MacLeod (hip)
  6. Ethan Cairns (appendix post op)
  7. Jack Walker (tonsilitis)
  8. Shae Keogh (calf)
  9. Ben Corner (knee cartilage recovery)
  10. No word on James Nolan yet

Seen Nicholson a few times when I used to go and watch the u18 games. Was impressed.  Is that 2 years now he has been recovering?

I thought Musa made the best choice he could given his positioning when the cross was made for the equaliser. The issue is that Nolan loses his man out wide and allows that to happen.

From the highlights it seems that we were weak across the entire team when it came to preventing balls into our box and that's what cost us. We're not normally as stand offish.

What I did like was that we seemed more willing to take chances from slightly further out and some of them came very close

Hard to see from the camera angle but the offside for our disallowed goal looked very tight. I don't expect referees to be perfect so accept it's one of them that can go either way.

Kell has to now make best use of the squad available and play to it's strengths for the remainder of the season. I couldn't hazard a guess as to what that is but he's lead us to this point and I trust he and the players will get us over the line.

Role on Saturday.

 3 weeks ago, I was thinking a win over Annan and Alloa, both home games, would have put us very close to a play off place ( turned out it would have been 2points). Wondering if it would have been Dunfermline, Hamilton or QP in the final.

now I am convinced it will be play off at other end and looking at all the E’s. East fife, Edinburgh city and Elgin. How do I fancy our chances against one of them 🤔

Play Bray or Stewart up front.

Drop Mckay to the bench, or move him into midfield if he insists on playing. There is zero point in continuing to play him as a striker, he offers no threat and all of our opponents know it!

14 minutes ago, RednBlackComeback said:

Play Bray or Stewart up front.

Drop Mckay to the bench, or move him into midfield if he insists on playing. There is zero point in continuing to play him as a striker, he offers no threat and all of our opponents know it!

We need all the experience we have on the pitch right now. Mckay may not be scoring but he's been a mainstay in the team that has dug us out of a 15pt hole. I honestly think some of the fans forget and don't appreciate where we've had to come back from since October.

45 minutes ago, STFU said:

We need all the experience we have on the pitch right now. Mckay may not be scoring but he's been a mainstay in the team that has dug us out of a 15pt hole. I honestly think some of the fans forget and don't appreciate where we've had to come back from since October.

An inexperienced 18 year old has come in and been our top scorer in the few games he's played. This is one of the (if not the main) reasons we've clawed back the 15 point deduction.

Don't worry, I havent forgotten and do appreciate what's happened since October.

Mckays hold up play is still exceptional. It’s just unfortunate there’s no one else to play alongside him to feed on that.

We need to remember that Billy is due a goal. Born goal scorers like him cant go on forever without scoring and now could not be  better time.

2 hours ago, CELTIC1CALEY3 said:

If you freeze the play when the pass is made for our disallowed goal Bray is clearly onside. 

Such is the standard of match officials ....  Totally feckin clueless!

Didn't get to see our pen claim, Bet it was another crap ref.decision.

On 3/31/2025 at 12:52 PM, tm4tj said:

Casualty List

  1. Luis Longstaff (groin op recovery)
  2. Alfie Bavidge (hamstring recovery)
  3. Lewis Nicolson (knee op recovery)
  4. Jake Davidson (knee op recovery)
  5. Calum MacLeod (hip)
  6. Ethan Cairns (appendix post op)
  7. Jack Walker (tonsilitis)
  8. Shae Keogh (calf)
  9. Ben Corner (knee cartilage recovery)
  10. No word on James Nolan yet

I'd still be curious to know if we suffer more and/or worse injuries than other teams.

Seems to be an injury crisis every season - even when we didn't have a thin and inexperienced squad.

4 hours ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

I'd still be curious to know if we suffer more and/or worse injuries than other teams.

Seems to be an injury crisis every season - even when we didn't have a thin and inexperienced squad.

I’m surprised the non playing staff aren’t included on that list. I’ve not seen half of them play and we’re supposed to be counting them like they are missed. 

  • Author

They are common names around the squad these days since administration.

Obviously, Longstaff, Davidson, Bavidge, Nicolson would all be pretty much first choice, with MacLeod the promising newbie coming through this season but has been injured a few times. 

Cairns has floated in and out of illness, presumably this appendix op might take care of that. Jack, Shae and Ben Corner have all taken their place on the bench in our time of needs. Nicolson has carried that injury over from last season and would probably have been a shoe in at left back for this season.

It's not their fault they have been thrust into the spotlight in our hours of need. These are the future of the club and have given us a bench this season. We have been running with a bare bones bench for a while now.

 

Time to get behind them rather than knock them.

47 minutes ago, tm4tj said:

They are common names around the squad these days since administration.

Obviously, Longstaff, Davidson, Bavidge, Nicolson would all be pretty much first choice, with MacLeod the promising newbie coming through this season but has been injured a few times. 

Cairns has floated in and out of illness, presumably this appendix op might take care of that. Jack, Shae and Ben Corner have all taken their place on the bench in our time of needs. Nicolson has carried that injury over from last season and would probably have been a shoe in at left back for this season.

It's not their fault they have been thrust into the spotlight in our hours of need. These are the future of the club and have given us a bench this season. We have been running with a bare bones bench for a while now.

 

Time to get behind them rather than knock them.

I don’t mean any disrespect to the players out injured. I just meant that we seem to be playing on the fact we have so many injuries when only a handful of these would even be getting game time if fit.

There's also an impact in training where things like mini/small games can't be undertaken to the same extent through lack of numbers.

Players may also be less likely to commit as physically during games because they know if they pick up a knock (or a booking that leads to suspension), there's less cover available.

Whatever way you look at it, having a third (or more) of your squad out, no matter who they are, is bad.

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