Tomorrow's big game sees Caley Thistle take on SPL champions for the last three seasons, Celtic, in a televised game which kicks off at 12:30pm.

Celtic have had a good start in this season's SPL title race and sit top of the league with 19 points. However, despite some flowing performances in the SPL, the Bhoys have failed to win in the Champions League and were trounced at home in the first Old Firm game of the season causing some murmerings in a Celtic support accustomed to being the kings of Glasgow.

Caley Thistle will be desperate for a victory as they head into a tough run of games against last seasons top three SPL finishers. Craig Brewster will be heartened to hear that Celtic's Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink will miss out with a groin injury given the former PSV targetman has scored six goals in four games previously against his side. David Proctor is a long term absentee and Andy Barrowman faces a late fitness test for the Jags. 

INVERNESS C.T. v CELTIC

Tulloch Caledonian Stadium

Saturday 18th October, 12:30pm

Past Meetings

The most famous past meeting between Caley Thistle and Celtic was the first game between the sides when Steve Paterson's First Division side put out John Barnes' expensively assembled team of internationals. Paterson's successor John Robertson also masterminded a win over Celtic when a Dennis Wyness strike put Martin O'Neill's side out of the Scottish Cup just days after they won at Anfield in the UEFA Cup. However, since Caley Thistle have reached the SPL there have been some notable matches between the two clubs, especially at Caledonian Stadium.

In 2007 a Charlie Christie managed Caley played Celtic twice in a month and saw heart-breaking defeat on both occasions. In a league encounter the Jags overcame the loss of main goal threat Dennis Wyness in the second minute to push Celtic all the way. Derek Riorden gave Celtic a first half lead with a simple tap in following a defensive mix up but Graham Bayne produced a magnificent headed goal to equalise in the second half. Christie looked to have secured a point against his former club until Veenegor of Hesselink broke Highland hearts with a cruel last minute winner, the celebrations of which earned him a second yellow card.

A month later Celtic came calling on cup duty and found themselves behind in the opening period when Barry Wilson bamboozled a leaden-footed Steven Pressley to set up Bayne to score again. Bayne was particularly impressive in a lone strikers role, frequently winning headers and then taking the second ball against a stretched Hoops backling. However, Pressley had the last laugh when he headed in an equaliser in the final minute and much maligned Old Firm fence-hopper Kenny Miller reduced the home fans to grim silence with a long range winner.

After this frustration, and a poor start to the season, Inverness fans could perhaps have been forgiven for thinking they should have gone Christmas shopping at around 2:30pm on Sunday the 16th of December 2007, when Celtic next came calling to the banks of the Moray Firth. Celtic stormed to a deserved 2-0 lead, again Vennegoor of Hesselink tormenting Caley with both goals. Romanian international Marius Niculae won a penalty by forcing Pressley into a clumsy challange just before half-time to resurrect Caley's chances but even an ardent Jaggie couldn't have imagined the start to the second half that ensued. Caley tore Cetlic to shreds for the first fifteen minutes of the second half and took the lead with David Proctor powering home a near post header and Don Cowie taking advantage of Celtic's defensive error to clip home what turned out to be the winner. Brewster's men held out for a further half hour, most of which with ten men after David Proctor saw red undeservadly for a clash with Scott McDonald, the pint sized Aussie conning Alan Freeland into the sending off. Mike Fraser produced a wonder save from a McManus header and a dogged display saw the side achieve the highlight result of last season and Craig Brewsters best result since returning North.

Players to Watch

With perrenial Caley basher Vennegor of Hesselink out, attention will turn to other goal threats from the title holders. Dimunitive winger Aiden McGeady has hit the headlines this season for rumoured fall outs with his manger Gordon Strachan which saw him benched for several games, including Champions League fixtures. McGeady will probably start against Caley and will pose a real test to Ross Tokely, who will need to keep his discipline against the tricky winger.

For Caley Thistle Ian Black has been the most impressive individual performer this season and a commanding showing in the centre of the park from him will be vital. Black seems to have shed the hotheaded outbursts that clouded his undoubted talent and with only one yellow card this season it will require controlled aggression from the former Blackburn youth to guide the Highland club to a result.

Also vital will be the strikers. Adam Rooney, the summer signing from Stoke City, will be heartened by a good showing from the bench against Dundee United and could have staked a claim for a place. Garry Wood may also feature, with another big physical striker Daniel Cousin having demonstrated success against the Celtic defence in the first Old Firm game of the season.

Prediction

Games against the Old Firm are always seen as 'bonus' games by clubs like Caley Thistle - a point or three is an unexpected bonus that isn't planned for. Celtic's greater resources and undeniable quality will make a result difficult but this group of ICT players have shown they can get results in big games against Celtic. The key players (Fraser, Munro, Black, Cowie and whoever starts up front) will have to be on their games and discipline maintained if anything is to be taken from thsi game. Looking at the game objectively, no-one could make Caley favourites and if things go to form Celtic will win. However, the Caley players will have seen St Mirren's smash and grab attack on Rangers two weeks ago and something similar can be acheived by the Highlanders. Only the right mixture of luck, skill and determination will see this through.