Injury hit Jags square up to SPL Champions.

Inverness have new injury woes after last weeks game at Dunfermline with news that defenders Kenny Gillet and David Proctor are likely to be sidelined for at least a month.

This comes on top of the problems for tough anchor man Lee Cox who has not responded quickly to treatment on his groin injury.  Young Josh Meekings was already ruled out after a nasty pre-season injury (ankle) and our unknown quantity, striker Billy Mackay will also miss this game.

On the plus side, Graeme Shinnie is fit and raring to go after stomach problems curtailed his involvement at the end of last season, with Butcher declaring that he would have been on the bench at Dunfermline had he not already had sufficient defensive cover there.

Our goal scoring issues eased at the weekend with three hitting the back of the net, and news that Shane Sutherland scored a hat-trick against Brora Rangers in a 3-5 NoS Cup game on Tuesday night will have heartened the Caley Jags fans.  Andrew Shinnie scored a brace as the Inverness side held off a determined challenge from Brora to claim a place against either Clach or Halkirk in the semi's.

Ally McCoist will bring his Rangers squad North without Algerian international Madjid Bougherra who has signed for Qatar champions Lekhwiya for £1.7m.  The Gers were not on SPL duty at the weekend, a friendly with Chelsea taking priority over league business.  McCoist has had a bumpy start to his managerial career at Ibrox; an opening day point against Hearts and a win over St Johnstone interspersed with being dumped out of the Champions league by Swedish outfit Malmo has set tongues wagging.

Nonetheless, Rangers are the current SPL Champions and their resources are much greater than that of their hosts this weekend, you would expect that to favour the Glasgow side, however, titles have been won and lost at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium and I expect Terry Butcher will have his players fired up for this one, especially now that the chips are down.

Mind and set your alarm clocks the night before for the 12:45 kick off.

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Proctor has been checking this one out for us.......................................

Caley Thistle entertain Rangers tomorrow at Caledonian Stadium and neither team have been in the best of form in recent weeks. Both sides also have the disadvantage of injury worries.

Inverness were involved in a six goal thriller last week at East End Park against Dunfermline Athletic. Fans would have been frustrated watching a team that lacked the spark of previous games. Supporters are also beginning to show concern of the lack of success up front with the Caley Jags only scoring three goals in three games.

Terry Butcher is also faced with a defensive dilemma, with two fresh injuries in the back four this week and the ICT gaffer is still trying to find the right defensive combination following the departure of Grant Munro.

Rangers last competitive game was disastrous. Both Madjid Bougherra and Steven Whittaker were both sent off in Rangers’ Champions League exit to Swedish Champions Malmo. Last weekend The Gers took a weekend off SPL competition to lose 3-1 in their glamour friendly against Chelsea. The jury is still out for new manager Ally McCoist, who will be looking to allay any doubts of his worthiness for the manager’s position.

Inverness CT manager and former Rangers captain Terry Butcher claims his team have no fears of facing the SPL Champions. "The Old Firm don't hold any fears for us. This is a match to be relished and really enjoyed. We want to beat them, as simple as that."

Rangers boss Ally McCoist is expecting a tough match tomorrow, but hopefully one his side will overcome, "Terry's team is organised and full of fight and we know we'll get a tough match on Saturday. Hopefully we can build on our last SPL fixture at St Johnstone and continue to improve our performance."

Team News

The Caley Jags injury worries mainly lie with their defence. David Proctor and Kenny Gillet (both hamstring injuries), Lee Cox (groin) and Josh Meekings (ankle) will all give Terry Butcher a selection headache. Striker Billy MacKay will also miss tomorrows game due to an ankle injury.

Rangers are also missing Sasa Papac due to a chest infection. David Weir and Steven Whittaker are also likely to miss the game.

History

The first official meeting between the two clubs occurred in March 9th 1996 in a Scottish Cup tie. The game was meant to be a home match for ICT but the SFA had it moved from Telford Street Stadium to Dundee United’s Tannadice due to safety concerns. The Rangers squad that night featured legends Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup as well as Rangers boss Ally McCoist. Rangers won the much hyped tie 3-0.

More recently Caley Thistle played a major part in the demise of Ranger’s manager Paul Le Guen. On a cold night in December 2006 Rangers threw away a 1-0 lead to eventually lose 2-1 thanks to a last minute John Rankin supergoal. Le Guen would leave Rangers 8 days later.

Key Players

Andrew Shinnie (Inverness CT) – Shinnie joined Inverness in the summer having being released by Rangers. If Andrew is featured in Terry Butchers plans tomorrow, the chance to get one over on his former club may spur him on to a great performance.

Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) – Tade had a poor game against Dunfermline. The former Raith Rover is still yet to score for Caley Thistle. The Frenchman was known for sensational performance in big games while at Starks Park. Could tomorrow be one of these games in a Caley Thistle shirt?

Steven Naismith (Rangers) – Naismith is Ranger’s top goal scorer so far this season with two goals from two games. The Scotland international may attempt to continue this form at the Caledonian Stadium.

David Healy (Rangers) – Joined Rangers last season. With Rangers having failed to secure the services of David Goodwillie and the return of Kenny Miller, Healy is in with a chance of establishing himself as a key part of the Rangers squad.

With Ally McCoist still keen to prove himself in the Rangers dugout and Caley Thistle’s young squad keen to show off for the television cameras. Both sides should be keen to prove themselves. Could this be ICT’s first win of the season? Or will McCoist continue to silence the Ibrox critics?

***Latest team news ahead of this televised clash has Inverness without the afore mentioned fivesome, although Butcher will have no hesitation throwing Graeme Shinnie into the action should that be deemed his best option.  Austrian Thomas Piermayr can also play right or left back which might allow Ross Tokely to return to full back and give Tom Aldred the centre back slot alongside Chris Hogg.  Doran and Ross look like they are vying for the same starting position and Hayes is getting more game time under his belt after last seasons injuries.  Owain Tudur-Jones will benefit from more time with his new team mates although Greg Tansey seems to have hit the ground running with a brace last weekend.  One of the biggest decisions for Butcher will be to select the front man to benefit from Richie Forans knock downs.  Will Gregory Tade be persevered with or will one of last seasons success stories Shane Sutherland be the preferred option.  Shane has been overlooked for a starting position since the arrival of Tade and he must be disappointed with that considering he did nothing wrong in his time on the park last season.  With Shane there is always the threat of a goal and the unexpected could happen.

Rangers have lost the services of Madjid Bougherra (transferred) and Sasa Papic (chest infection) while veteran defender David Weir is struggling to make this one.  Red card villain Steven Whittaker might play through the pain barrier with a suspected broken toe.  Jelavic has been touch and go this week but may be winning his fitness battle.

Prediction :- This could be a taxing time for Rangers providing Terry Butcher has done some serious team bonding this week.  Last weekend the players were at sixes and sevens due to the number of new faces around.  However, Rangers themselves have not been setting the heather on fire and a repeat of the 1-1 scoreline from last season is on the cards as long as the Inverness defence can unite and play as a unit.  Greg Tansey has shown his worth driving forward from the midfield and he can also take a mean free kick.  Jonny, get yer dancin shoes on.................