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    Rangers v Inverness CT Preview

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    Rangers v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

    Inverness Caledonian Thistle head to Ibrox tomorrow hoping to reverse recent form of four consecutive defeats. A trip to face one half of the Old Firm may seem the last thing that the Jags need but Craig Brewster will emphasis the opportunity to cause a big upset and give the Highlanders a morale boost in a crucial period of the campaign.

    Rangers have enjoyed a solid start to the season, with the undoubted highlight for the Govan fans a surprise 4-2 win at the home of arch-rivals Celtic. Particularly impressive for the Ibrox club have been summer signing Pedro Mendes, who has slotted in well since his arrival from Portsmouth. However, Rangers showed that they can be vulnerable when they looked flat in losing 1-0 at Love Street to then bottom side St Mirren.

    Inverness Caledonian ThistleRangers FCRANGERS v INVERNESS CT

    Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow

    Saturday 1st November, 3:00pm 

    Past Meetings

    Rangers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle have played each other 13 times with the scorecard standing at seven wins for the Glasgow club, two wins for Caley Thistle and four draws. The only meeting prior to Caley’s promotion to the SPL came in the 1996 Scottish Cup. The then 3rd Division Caley Thistle lined up against a star-studded Rangers team, including Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup. Steve Paterson’s part-time side acquitted themselves well before succumbing 3-0.

    Over eight years passed before the sides met again but since Inverness’ promotion to the top flight they have often proved a thorn in the side of Rangers. During Charlie Christie’s sole season in charge Caley went unbeaten in the sides fixtures, winning two games and drawing one. Both wins have gone into club folklore and in particular a fantastic showing just after Christmas 2006 that saw Caley Jags come from a goal down to claim victory thanks to a last minute John Rankin 30 yard shot is fondly remembered by followers of the Inverness club. This followed up a stunning win over Paul Le Guen’s side at Ibrox in October of that year when Graham Bayne stabbed home after a blunder from comedy keeper Lionel Leitzi. Caley Thistle have a respectable record in games at Ibrox – in the six games the Highland club have played on Glasgow’s South side, they have only lost twice, winning one and drawing three times.

    Despite this good pedigree, Rangers enjoyed by far the better of these fixtures last season, completing a clean sweep of wins without conceding a goal.

    Players To Watch

    For Caley Thistle, fans will look to the front players to make chances count. In games against the Old Firm, especially away from home taking opportunities is vital. Adam Rooney has experience of playing in the English Championship and will relish the big stage – he has looked dangerous in front of goal in his run-outs so far this season and will be disappointed only to have bagged two goals. The Ireland under 21 internationalists pace and power will be vital assets as the Jags attempt to pull off a shock.

    For Rangers, all eyes will be on the probably return to the starting XI of Barry Ferguson. Rangers and Scotland captain Ferguson has been missing all season after surgery on his ankle. Rangers fans will be keen to see Ferguson line up alongside impressive recent performers Mendes and Kevin Thomson in the middle of park. However, Ian Black will be keen to impress against his former clubmate at Blackburn Rovers and Ferguson will have to avoid any rustiness if he is to have a successful return.

    Prediction

    Games against the Old Firm are usually considered ‘bonus’ games by the other SPL sides – anything gained is an unplanned and unexpected fillip for the season. However, Caley Thistle will line up with players who have enjoyed success at Ibrox before and should not be overawed by the occasion. If the visitors manage to keep the fickle crowd quiet, or even cause tension from the stands to transmit to the pitch, they could have a chance to pull off an upset. However, the odds have to be on a home win, given the disparity in resources, and form, between the two sides at the moment.




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