Motherwell - Preview

Caley Thistle have gone head to head with Motherwell on a total of 11 occasions with the honours being pretty even, ICT just having the edge on League games with 4 wins against Motherwells 3.  Following on from the controversial signing of Forward Gary McSwegan from Ross County many eyes will be watching to see if he makes an appearance against Motherwell and how he performs in the absence of Craig Dargo and Dennis Wyness.  Click below to read the full preview in the run up to what many believe to be a "Must Win" game for the Caley Jags.

  MOTHERWELL V ICT 

Date: 09.09.2006 at 15:00 Tickets: This match is pay at the gate on the day. TV-info: Highlights available on Scotsport SPL on ITV1 on Monday evening at 11pm roughly.

DETAILS Motherwell v Inverness CT Fir Park, Motherwell Saturday 9th September at 3pm SPL Referee: William Collum Others: Tom Murphy, John Gilmour (Assistants), Iain Brines (4th official).

FIXTURES Saturday 9th September: Aberdeen v Celtic (Setanta, 12:30pm) Dunfermline v Kilmarnock Hearts v St Mirren Motherwell v Inverness CT Rangers v Falkirk (all 3pm)

Sunday 10th September: Dundee Utd v Hibernian (Setanta, 2pm) SPL ROUND-UP The last SPL games to take place was 2 weekends ago due to Scotland Internationals. On Saturday the 26th August, no teams drew. Aberdeen beat Dunfermline 1-0 thanks to Scott Severin. That was Crawfords last game for Aberdeen before he moved to Dunfermline. Celtic narrowly beat Hibernian 2-1 which included new signing Jan Vennegor of Hesselink scoring the winner. Motherwell beat an on form Falkirk side in their own backyard by the odd goal. Aussie Scott McDonald gave the Well a vital 3 points to take them off the bottom. Hearts gave Inverness CT their biggest defeat in the SPL since they joined 2 years ago. They won 4-1 with Bayne equalising for Inverness in the first half. Dundee Utd recorded a much needed win for Brewster with a convincing 3-1 victory over St Mirren. However Robson was sent off for the terrors. On Sunday live on Setanta, Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw by Kilmarnock. A Boyd double for the Gers was cancelled out by Wright and a last minute penalty by Steven Naismith. So, 5 games gone, Celtic and Hearts top the table with 10pts. Dunfermline are rock bottom with 2pts. RECENT SPL FORM Inverness CT: LDDDL Motherwell: WLLLL PAST MEETINGS The teams have played a total of 11 times (7 League, 4 Cup) with 23 goals (12 Inverness CT, 11 Motherwell) between them. Inverness CT: 5 wins (4 League, 1 Cup) Draws: 2 (1 League, 1 Cup(won by well on penalties)) Motherwell: 4 wins (3 League, 1 Cup) A GAME TO REMEMBER For this weeks game to remember we take you back another one of Inverness’s great cup killing shocks. On the 6th March 2004 in the Scottish Cup Quarter finals, Inverness CT were drawn away to Motherwell. Inverness were going strong in the league and we full of confidence heading to Fir Park. What we didn’t know was that Barry Wilson was to score a wonder goal. Both teams started the game well but after 10 mins, Inverness took the lead thanks to goal of the season by Wilson. Barry received the ball 35 yards+ from goal and he chested it and striked a half volley that dipped over Marshall. By far goal of the round. Motherwell never really got going throughout the match and Inverness CT had a few chances to finish the tie in the second half but they eventually held out to reach the semi-finals for the first ever time in their history. The look on Barry’s face at the end of the game showed how much it meant to him as he was delighted. The attendance was 7930. The teams were as follows: INVERNESS CT: Brown, Tokely, Mann, McCaffrey, Golabek, McBain, Duncan, Thomson, Wilson, Ritchie, Keogh. Subs- Munro (for Thomson), Proctor (for Ritchie), Fraser, Hart, McMillan. MOTHERWELL: Marshall, Quinn, Corrigan, Craigan, Hammell, Lasley, Adams, Fagan, Burns, McDonald, Clarkson. Subs- O’Donnell (for Fagan), Wright (for Clarkson), Corr, K.McDonald, Kinniburgh. The referee was Kenny Clark and there were NO bookings on the day. Eight of the Inverness players who started the match still play for the club. FACTS BETWEEN THE TEAMS • All League meetings between the teams have taken place in the SPL. • Only once has a team scored 3 goals in this fixture and it was Motherwell. • In games between the two teams, not a lot of goals have been scored so don’t expect a goal fest this weekend. PLAYERS TO WATCH Gary McSwegan (Inverness CT): He is one of the most controversial signings according to most Inverness CT fans that our club has made. A lot of fans were shocked to hear that Gary had signed for the club on a one-year deal earlier in the week. The 36 year old has plenty of top flight experience but couldn’t even get a game for Ross County last season due to injury. He definitely raised a few eyebrows when he made the switch although he is very keen to impress as this is his last chance in the SPL. Could possibly make a sub appearance at the weekend and it would be great if he could score a debut goal to start to prove the doubters wrong. Scott McDonald (Motherwell): The aussie is a key player in the well line up this season. There was plenty transfer talk of him moving to Edinburgh although he currently remains at Fir Park, at least until January. A good striker who can supply the goals and with Calum Elliot on loan, he now has a good striking partner alongside him. Already scored 2 goals this season and is looking for a good goal tally this season to impress everyone again. FUTURE FIXTURES 2nd Dec 2006 at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium 17th Feb 2007 at Fir Park