Community service for Inverness players. 

Inverness return to Ayr this Wednesday evening on League Cup business, this season called the Scottish Communities League Cup.  Alas, this will be a far cry from the last visit. 

Cast your mind back to 24th April 2010.  Inverness were the newly crowned Champions of the first division with Dundee's last glimmering hope being scuppered at Starks Park in midweek.  A sizeable crowd applauded them onto the park and they put on a dazzling display in the Ayrshire sun.  Harry's bar was was packed to the rafters and the pavements were awash with celebratory beer.  The good folk of Ayr went along with the fun as a team high on confidence and still running on adrenalin thrashed United 0-7.  The sermon from big Terry from the pinnacle of the main stand at Somerset Park was mesmerising as he orchestrated the crowd, like puppet's on a string, raising and lowering the tempo of the celebrations at the mere movement of his fingertips.  Aye, that was a day to remember.

This time the mood in the camp is not so encouraging.  One solitary point from five starts sees Inverness firmly at the foot of the SPL.  Confidence has taken a battering, new players are finding their feet and an injury ravaged squad are licking their wounds akin to a frightened rabbit caught in the headlights.  Strikers have gone out of fashion at Inverness and a once capable defence, used to holding a positive goal difference has leaked goals at every opportunity. 

Methinks Harry could handle the mob single handed this time, although IHE will no doubt do his best to make the place look busy.  It's a long way for a midweek game, but the lure of standing on a terrace is too much for some to resist, however I doubt we will be looking at humbling Ayr United on this occasion.  It's more than likely to be a case of Inverness trying out more formations and personel whilst trying to progress to the next round by whatever means we can.  One thing for sure, underestimate Ayr at your peril.

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Proctor will tell us who is likely to play in this one, over to you Proc......................

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have a welcome break from their torrid league campaign on Wednesday night as they make the long trip down to Somerset Park for a Scottish Communities Cup second round tie against Ayr United.

Hosts Ayr United Sit 8th in the IRN-BRU First Division having picked up two points from three games. On Saturday The Honest Men came back twice to draw with Falkirk despite having Martyn Campbell sent off. On August 13th Ayr managed a 1-1 draw against League favourites Dundee at Dens Park. Brian Reid’s men have clearly shown they can compete with the bigger teams in the First Division. Can they cause an upset and beat SPL opposition on Wednesday night? Inverness have had an awful start to the season. With just one point from five games and a host of injury problems. A Roman Golobart mistake combined with a lack of power in front of goal meant that the Caley Jags lost 2-1 to Aberdeen and remained bottom of the table. Will Terry Butcher look to alter his starting eleven ahead of this crucial cup tie?

Previous Meetings

Caley Thistle fans do not have to go too far back into their history to think of a legendary match against Ayr. The date April 24th 2010 will bring back warm memories to the Inverness faithful as the newly crowned First Division Champions thumped relegation threatened Ayr United 7-0 at Somerset Park. Not that the jubilant support would remember much of the game due to the conga lines, bagpipes and pitch invasions on the terraces that day, oh, and Harry's Bar.

Games between these two teams have traditionally been high scoring affairs. On December 2nd 2000 ICT beat Ayr 7-3 at Caledonian Stadium. The sides were drawing 3-3 at half time but ICT netted 4 in half an hour in the second half to make it the highest aggregate score in the club’s history. Amongst the scorers that day were Caley Thistle legends Dennis Wyness, Mike Teasdale and Paul Sheerin.

Team News

Inverness Caley Thistle’s squad are ravaged with injuries. Billy MacKay and Josh Meekings are both still to make their debuts but will miss Wednesday’s game.

Owain Tudur-Jones (knee) and Lee Cox (groin) are both long term injury worries, while Kenny Gillet and David Proctor could feature after their hamstring injuries appeared to be less serious than originally thought.

One man definitely available for the cup tie is Ross Tokely. Tokely served his dubious one match suspension for a red card against Rangers.

Ayr United only have one injury doubt. Alan Trouten is still recovering from a groin injury he suffered at Den’s Park two weeks ago.  Martyn Campbell is included in the squad despite his sending off as his ban does not include this competition.

Key Players

Eddie Malone (Ayr United) – Malone scored against Falkirk at the weekend despite being an injury doubt for the game. The former Dundee and St Johnstone player made thirty appearances at Somerset Park last season and will be keen to continue his run on the team with a cup upset.

Mark Roberts (Ayr United) – Roberts was Ayr United’s top scorer last season netting 27 goals in 43 appearances. The former Partick Thistle man has started the 2011/2012 season well with two goals from three appearances. Mark has the scoring power his opponents so desperately crave and could cause ICT fans much heartache.

Shane Sutherland (Inverness CT) – Many Caley Thistle fans are itching to see Sutherland get a spell in the first team. If Butcher gives him a chance on Wednesday night the 19-year-old could stake his claim as the striker ICT need to change their fortunes.

Roman Golobart (Inverness CT) – Golobart signed on loan from Wigan Athletic last week. The Spaniard made a terrible mistake against Aberdeen that lead to their second goal. Roman will want to redeem himself by helping guide Inverness to the next round of the cup.

Ayr United are playing well in the First Division and are known for Cup upsets. Just last January they put Colin Calderwood’s Hibernian out of the Scottish Cup. Inverness built a reputation as cup specialists but have let that reputation slip in recent years. Due to the Communities Cup having no replays. Wednesday night will see the one team progress to the next round of the competition. Will it be the struggling top flight team or the newly promoted Division One upstarts?