Inverness CT -V- Ross County - Preview

Tuesday sees the biggest Highland Derby to take place between ICT and Ross County.

It will be the first time that both clubs will be in the running for promotion in the same season. To make it even more dramatic it is the SPL that both clubs are gunning for.

Gingerjaggy's Preview Tuesday sees the biggest Highland Derby to take place between ICT and Ross County. It will be the first time that both clubs will be in the running for promotion in the same season. To make it even more dramatic it is the SPL that both clubs are gunning for. Caley Thistle will have home advantage against our near neighbours and good friends, and we hope that, and a strong home crowd will roar us on to one of the most significant wins of the season and against our arch foes. The game could be no bigger, and, as in Dingwall a few weeks ago local bragging rights go right out of the window (even though it would be nice) as both clubs look to get one over each other to go on and claim the title. So far this season it has been a pretty unsuccessful campaign against County with no victory’s in the league to date. How precious would it be to get our first one tomorrow night! The last three derbies have been dominated by County with them coming out on top in two, and the last one only a couple of weeks ago ending in a 0-0 stalemate. Only Robert Eagle’s goal at the Caledonian Stadium in the Alba Challenge cup semi has brought Caley Thistle any success. The first game at home in the league ended up in a 3-1 defeat which none of us wants to be reminded of. In fact County seemed more up for the battle as our new look side failed to join in the game. The second finished 2-1 in Dingwall with a Rooney penalty coming just too late after Boyd and Gardyne had put County 2-0 up. It was a case of too little too late. The last game which will be fresh in the memory for the reason of it being a non event was also dominated by our wee neighbours and feeder club from across the Bridge, although we came closest to scoring when sub Bob Eagle smacked the bottom of the post from a tight angle. Caley Thistle will be on a high after hitting top spot with a win over Partick, while County who rescued a point to put us top will also be on a high getting what could be a massive point, which sets it up to be a cracker. Team news For Caley Thistle Terry Butcher has a fully fit squad for one of the biggest games of the season. He will hope that the front three of Foran, Rooney and Hayes can be as destructive as Saturday. County have a couple of injury problems with defender Steven Watt missing as well as midfielder Paul Lawson. Gingerjaggys prediction Tomorrow night we hope will be a cracker as both sides go for a precious victory that will mean so much to who ever claims it. For County the aim will be to not lose and they know that they can push with 3 games in hand. For Caley the same can be applied as we haven’t won yet this season against them and defeat would also allow County to take advantage with those 3 games. Some will say a draw will be a decent result and that could prove to be the case, but for every fan that goes through those turnstiles only a win will do. County also have their fingers in another pie, a semi-final date with Celtic no less. I’m sure we would not grudge them success in the Scottish Cup if we were to maintain our position at the top of the league. The derby has never been this important C’MON CALEY THISTLE. I’m going for 1-0 with either Foran or Rooney to score. Proctor's Preview Inverness Caledonian Thistle play one of their most important games of the season and arguably in their history when they host fierce rivals Ross County tomorrow night. Terry Butcher’s men are unbeaten in league competition since November. Having scored five goals in their last two games. However with County having several games in hand. The Staggies will be keen to bridge the gap and stay in the title run. Ross County will be without Paul Lawson and Steven Watt due to injury, whilst Richie Foran will be included in this one, having missed out in the last derby at Victoria Park. He has thankfully returned to the ICT squad following suspension. Ross County have won two of the four meetings between the clubs this season. With ICT winning one in the Alba Cup. The two sides met just ten days ago in a goalless draw at Vitoria Park, with County manager Derek Adams claiming that his side were the only team that played football. This is shaping up to be the most important Highland Derby in history. With Dundee away to Dunfermline in a tough tie, SPL football is at stake for all sides involved. C’MON THE CALEY JAGS, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!