Its Scotland’s oldest club against one of the youngest, as Caley Thistle kick off the new season with a League Cup clash against the amateurs of Queen’s Park.

Terry Butcher’s side are the only SPL team involved in this stage of the competition, and will look to avoid a repeat of the opening match of last year’s campaign, a mediocre shoot-out win over third division Montrose.

OUR OPPONENTS The Spiders travel North having produced a surprise of their own last week, an extra-time Challenge Cup win over Livingston. Striker Graeme Eagleshan was the hero with a debut hat-trick, and will definitely lead the line for the visitors, who will probably be unchanged. The Hampden side, who made it to the third division playoffs last year, remain under the tutelage of manager Gardner Speirs, who will be best remembered in the Highlands for a brief spell in charge of Ross County during the 2005-06 season.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS The sides have met on fourteen previous occasions (according to soccerbase.com), twelve of which came in the ICT’s first three seasons as a league club. Caley are up 8-3 on wins, with three draws. However, the last time these sides met in September 2003 saw Queen’s Park overcome a two division gap to win 2-1 at Caledonian Stadium…in the first round of the League Cup. Barry Wilson made his first appearance after returning from Livingston, and Caley took the lead through Paul Ritchie’s strike, only for goals by Steven Reilly and Ally Graham to turn the match on it’s head. Bobby Mann had a golden chance to force extra time but hit the post with a last-gasp penalty. Out of our current squad, Ross Tokely, David Proctor, Stuart Golabek, Russell Duncan and Roy McBain were all involved.

INVERNESS TEAM NEWS Knee injuries force out Richie Foran and Jonny Hayes, so Adam Rooney will be the only member of the “shamrock” strike force to play. Eric Odhiambo is also struggling with a groin problem, so Nick Ross and Danni Sanchez will fancy their chances of playing, and there could be a debut for Gil Blumanshtein. Another new signing, Kenny Gillet, may be short of match fitness, while David Proctor is suspended and it is uncertain if Hibs will give permission for on-loan Kevin McCann to play. If McCann is absent, expect Ross Tokely to start at right-back, with Chris Innes making his first start in the centre of defence.

Likely lineup: Ryan Esson – Ross Tokely, Grant Munro, Chris Innes, Stuart Golabek – Lee Cox, Russell Duncan – Nick Ross, Danni Sanchez, Gil Blumenshtein – Adam Rooney; subs: Jonny Tuffey, Kenny Gillet, Roy McBain, Gavin Morrison, Shane Sutherland

QUEEN’S PARK TEAM NEWS The visitors will surely stick with the same eleven that won last week, especially with defender Paul McGinn and midfielder Giuseppe Capuano both out. Striker Jamie Longworth may be available to play on the bench, but fellow forward Michael Daly is doubtful.

Likely lineup: Peter Hamilton – Ricky Little, Paul Gallagher, Jamie Brough, Paul Burns – Ian Watt, Martin McBride, David Anderson, Michael O’Hara – Craig Smith, Graeme Eaglesham; subs: Gordon McPherson, Daryl Meggatt, Paul Harkins, Tony Quinn, Jamie Longworth

THE HISLOPSOFFSIDEAGAIN PREDICTION Even allowing for a little rustiness, anything other than a convincing win will be disappointing. Expect ICT to oblige with a 3-0 victory.