Inverness looking to keep Dons in check.

Terry Butcher's lads will be doing their utmost to ensure Aberdeen remain below them in the SPL this season.  The Dons have been on a mini revival since Craig Brown took over and he has eased them just out of harms way in the  relegation battle.

Inverness sprinted ahead of Aberdeen in the first half of the season but the long cold winter months slowed the process down and Aberdeen have closed the gap somewhat although they remain nine points behind the Highlanders.  Inverness have a game in hand (Celtic), but going by the form book, that should be discounted.  However, we tend to make life difficult for Celtic up here so it's possible that we could take advantage of the extra game and ensure the Dons are not going to catch us in the last four games. Wedneday 4th May for that one, 6:00pm.

We enjoyed an ultimately comfortable win away from home on Easter Monday, thanks mainly to the profligate Perth strikers.  Chances came early for the Saints but a combination of poor finishing, the woodwork and Ryan Esson (not necessarily in that order), saw Inverness take advantage and run out convincing winners.  Three well taken goals from the soon to depart Chris Innes, Aaron Doran and the Duracell Bunny that is Richie Foran made life easy for Butchers boys and boosted the goal difference.

Aberdeen have had a miserable season by their own high standards, culminating in the 9-0 humiliation at the hands of champions elect Celtic, followed a month later with Hearts going nap at Tynecastle.  In stark contrast, they handed out a 5-0 drubbing of their own to one of the surprise packages of the season, Kilmarnock.  The difference between the teams this season is highlighted by the goal difference stats.  Inverness on +4, Aberdeen -20. 

So, difficult choices being made up and down the country this weekend.  Bask in all the glory of the Royal wedding, or go and watch a game of footie.  It's no easy.  I know Aberdeen have not been setting the heather on fire recently, with no wins in six games, but pleeeeeeeease.

If davie has not cycled off down to Westminster Abbey, you know what he's like, anything for a garden party, he will give us the low down on the last meeting between these sides this season.

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Here we go, another meaningless end of season kick about with nothing at stake, this time in the granite city. Substitute fair for granite, and we said exactly the same about what turned out to be an entertaining and enterprising victory for ICT on Monday night in Perth. Both St. Johnstone and Aberdeen vie for contention as our nearest geographical rivals, but Aberdeen somehow have that greater claim being our former landlord and the “old glory” of north football.

It took until this year to record the first of two victories against the Dons, the last being the 2-1 affair at Pittodrie that resulted in Mark McGhee collecting his coat after a tenure that was near grounds for suicide for Dons fans but such a lot of fun for the rest of us, especially given that 18 meetings have resulted in only 3 ICT wins. Since being taken over by granpa broon they have steadied, achieving the mediocrity this year that we all know them capable of. Their last point of any description was against Hamilton, arresting a run of 5 games without a win - nearly as bad as the much maligned McGhee. ICT on the other hand are hitting the form that graced pre-Christmas, with only 1 loss in our last 5 matches.

Aberdeen are, according to their website, missing Paul Hartley, Rory McArdle and David McNamee, Andrew Considine being a mere doubt. It is difficult to see Jamie Langfield appearing either, after his being clobbered by Zander Diamond last week, and ending up looking like an extra in fight club.

ICT are, to our misfortune, will be missing Richie Foran. Simply brilliant on Monday night, he will be a big miss. On the other hand, we might not have to play four centre backs as Duff and Tokely return. Hayes, Proctor, Shinnie and Sanchez remain kidnapped by aliens, Gil Blumenshtein may well be one who has returned his world of origin - his invisibility is stunning. There are mutterings of a “ruthless” cull in the close season at TCS, so many of those on display tomorrow might be literally playing for their futures. For others, it might already be too late so if you like this vintage ICT side, get the next few games in - there might not be many more.

So, after the spring sunshine wedding extravaganza, even Aberdeen has a sunny forecast for the morrow. Better wrap up though; it’s Aberdeen, it will be Baltic.

Prediction: Aberdeen 1 ICT 2. That's what davie reckons.

Other SPL News:- There is no noteworthy SPL news this weekend because all the reporters have been seconded to Royal Wedding duties, but...................................................................

Walter Smith has said that the sectarian songs must stop.............hallelujah, (and that's not an easy word to spell).  Tell that to the stewards and the SFA who do nothing about it week in week out.  Mob rules methinks.  In the wake of Rangers fans being banned from attending an away fixture in Europe, plus add ons and top up's, in fact, you would be better employing a Philadelphia lawyer to decipher the findings.  Check it out on the Beeb website if you care enough.

In the lesser leagues:- that's the ones below the SPL, where the top teams ply their trade, Ross County eventually secured three points from the Queens at a neutral venue at the third time of asking.  Apparently they used an ancient Chinese ritual and the tannoy announcer had to ask everybody in the crowd to hold their hands up in the air.  Strangely enough, it worked as many hands make light work.  This saw them creep away from Cowdenbeath at the bottom end of the table.  They surely will not drop down another division again, but with Calderwood in charge, there's still hope.

***Latest News***

The cull begins:- Russell Duncan has confirmed in the newspapers that he will be leaving Inverness at the end of the season.  He is absolutely gutted at not being offered a new contract after 10 years at Inverness and over 350 appearances.  Russell has often been made the scapegoat by the manager when results don't go our way and Butcher has been quick to bench him in favour of less passionate players.  It's the month of bad news for some players as contract negotiations get thrashed out and this summer could see the dismantling of the class of 2000, the squad that shot to fame by dumping Celtic out of the cup in their own backyard.  Only a handful of players remain, including Tokely, and Golabeck but time is running out for most of them.  Thanks for the memories Russell.

One young man who seems to be in the good books is Shane Sutherland who is impressing Butcher and looks likely to be given another contract.  The lad from Wick has grasped his opportunity with both feet and scored a spectacular goal against Motherwell, his first for the club.