Killie Pie Time

Inverness make the long haul to Kilmarnock next and must be wondering what they have to do to win all three points.

It's back to the scene of the famous Killie Pie song, this time on SPL business, and in desperate need of three points to start the climb off the foot of the table.

Last week saw a decent performance ruined by Motherwell's smash and grab effort as they came from behind to steal the points in one of the greatest robbery's since Ronnie Biggs was around.

This week it gets no easier with a trip to Rugby Park, (*what a strange name for a soccer stadium).  Always a good day out, and bolstered by the Central Belt crew, we used to enjoy a modecum of success in Ayrshire, but more recently we have found the going tougher against opponents who are noted for open football at times and can play with the best of them on their day.  An often high scoring affair, I see no reason for this one to be any different as we continue to bleed goals and Kilmarnock are steering a steady course towards the top half of the table.

*Apparently Kilmarnock first used the present site in 1899 and it was further developed in 1994-95 to the present day all seater stadium we now see.  This is Killie's fourth location.  The Grange, Holm Quarry and Ward's Park all housed the football club until they moved in 1877 to nearby South Hamilton Street, then the present site.  Cricket and Rugby were played at the Hamilton Street location and when the club went to the present day site, the name of Rugby Park went with it.  The new ground originally had a running track around it.  During the second world war the ground was used as an ammunition dump and the park was restructured with the aid of Italian prisoners of war when hostilities ended.  The rest is history as they say and the place is now more famous for it's pies than Rugby.

Capital Caley is one of our Central Belt crew and he has opted to give us the information which we hope will lead to the downfall of Killie...................... Read on

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Nostalgia never grows old

Caley Thistles first ever trip to Rugby Park was a memorable one. Not for the performance, nor even the score line, not because it was a Scottish Cup replay against an SPL team, but for the weather wreaking havoc. ICT were just getting into their stride when barely half an hour in, the referee noticed an abominable snowman on the sideline. It had managed to freeze the pitch over within a matter of minutes. Turns out it was just Bobby Williamson who had over indulged in ice cream and was suffering from brain freeze. The ICT faithful travelled down again one week later and were treated to an excellent performance by the team but just losing out 2-1. Ally McCoist was a second half substitute for Kilmarnock on that evening not long before he retired from football. He may have to go into temporary retirement again if HMRC have anything to say about it.

The first fixture at Caledonian Stadium was heartbreaking. A last minute wonder goal by Barry Robson looked to have given ICT passage to the next round, before Garry Hay equalised for Killie with the last kick of the ball. Kilmarnock of course, claimed to have won the game as they believed a first half shot had crossed the line into the goal behind Jim Calder. TV evidence showed that the ball was at least 2 yards in front of the line. Bobby Mann also confirmed this before drifting back to the previous years Cup exploits and reminding everyone that it was his goal. In reality though, the ball was so far over the line that a goal was awarded in Dingwall. This is where I would love to make a joke about County not being used to that sort of event happening at Victoria Park. Considering their current form though, I'll let them off. However, the high flying gudgies (sitting 13^th in Scotland) are getting excited at the moment. Almost as excited as the time the Mallard handed out a free sheep with each pint.

Lady luck was on our side that day against Killie, in contrast to the current season. Terry Butcher feels ICT are being harshly punished by referees. In some cases he is absolutely right. There have been major turning incidents like the Ross Tokely Challenge against Rangers and the penalties against Hibs. However, many of the performances have been poor. One of these weeks, we will get the luck. We will get the victory that will kick start our season. If not, then Harrys Bar may beckon once more. The last time these two sides clashed at Rugby Park in Kenny Shiels first game in charge at home, a 1-1 draw officially consigned Caley Thistle to the bottom half of the SPL. The prospect of finishing seventh was disappointing considering our early season form. If only our worries were the same, seven months later. At this stage in the season, most Caley Thistle fans would probably settle for eleventh. There has been hope on the horizon though. Caley Thistle were the victors against Killie at the Caledonian Stadium back on the 27^th August with a well deserved 2-1 win and our first victory of the season. Needless to say, the ICT faithful were happy as Larry that day with the hope of a new winning streak. Since that game, there have been more woeful performances than victories and we are still sitting at the foot of the table. The inconsistencies in the performances have frustrated the Caley Thistle support. However, displaying an improved performance against Motherwell last weekend and the return of key players from injury could be the mark of a fresh start for the current campaign. The Motherwell game was one of the few this season that we should have won. With Rangers worrying about points deductions, champions elect Motherwell may start to run away with the title now, especially with Celtic starting to join the relegation battle.

Many ICT fans believed the 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock at the end of August was going to be the turnaround in the season after our traditional slow start. It wasn't to be, but could our return fixture at Rugby Park be the true beginning of a revival? Ask me that at 1645 on Saturday and I can give you my opinion. Not even Mystic Meg can predict the standard of a Caley Thistle performance these days. No matter what the score is on Saturday, Kilmarnock is one of my favourite away days. Especially the moments where Govan Jaggie annoys the locals by hijacking the jukebox at the Hunting Lodge and we're treated to some fine music that would make Love2Love feel like a morgue. Fanny by Gaslight bar in Kilmarnock, where a sign saying 'no drugs on premises' is another delight. You would expect to meet Marvin in there, if he wasn't banged up – but it is right beside the train station so it would be rude not to enter! I look forward to my quick dive into Fannies before heading onto the train. It will taste even better if we have won the game.

With players starting to return from injury and an excellent performance against the new favourites for the SPL title, we may get something from this game. As I write this, there is also hope that Chris Hoggs red card will be over turned. We certainly need him. We have a reasonable record at Rugby Park and took 4 points from there last season. Kilmarnock have been inconsistent as well this year. They have a League Cup Semi Final against bitter rivals, Super Ayr to look forward to. I doubt this will affect their performance on Saturday and some of the players may even be playing for a place. I predict a scrappy game but a deserved point, with plenty to be happy about come the end of the match. A score draw, 1-1 is my NPL prediction. I may even put a 10p bowling bet on.

Now let's all say aye to a Killie pie!

Latest Team News

Inverness will be without central defender Chris Hogg.  His appeal was dismissed, surprise surprise, by the beaks and he misses this weekends game with Killie.  Just when we get some players back from injury, we get hit with another body-blow.  Hogg made his return against Motherwell last week and was controversially red-carded by Crawford Allan who adjudged Hogg to be denying Jamie Murphy a goal scoring opportunity, albeit still with some 25 yards to go.  Thomas Piermayr is also suspended.  Josh Meekings looks to have recovered from a stomach strain and he will be needed with Hogg absent.  This could also give Roman Golobart the opportunity to impress Butcher.  Jonny Hayes came through his return cameo unscathed and Lee Cox was rested for another week but has suffered a dead leg in training.  Nick Ross has a groin injury to overcome but David Proctor should be back after a head knock.  The long term casualties are still out, Doran and Tudur-Jones and this will leave boss Butcher with the problem of who to leave out, rather than who to put in.  The players that started last week minus Hogg could be set to figure at Rugby Park.

Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels won't need to make many changes as his side are relatively injury free.  Cammy Bell is still having problems with his elbow and Ryan O'Leary is out long term.  So a fairly settled Kilmarnock side should line up against an anything but settled Inverness.  Heffernan has taken over the mantle from last seasons star man Alexei Eremenko and Gary Harkins has been a useful addition to the squad.

So, considering the continuity of the Killie squad compared to our own changelings, then a difficult task at hand and as Capital Caley has hinted, if we can escape with a point, that can be seen as a positive result for us.

Other SPL news

Steve Lomas has become the new manager at St Johnstone after the departure of Derek McInnes to Bristol City.  37 year old Lomas is a former Northern Ireland midfielder and joins from being in charge of the West Ham second string.  His arrival coincides with the announcement that Chairman Geoff brown will step down after 25 years at the helm, handing the vacancy over to his son Steve.

Hearts have paid an overdue Tax bill of half a million pounds and this has sparked a wage reduction excercise which could see the top earners being moved on.  Oh dear, it had to come to an end sometime as Mr Romanov looks set to turn his interests to basketball.  Slam dunc comrade Vladimir.

Celtic put their SPL troubles behind them to see off Rennes in the Europa league game at Parkhead on Thursday night.  Goals from Stokes (2) and Hooper clinched a 3-1 win for Scotland's last European hopes.  Incidentally, Ex-ICT hitman Adam Rooney played for just over an hour for Birmingham City against Brugge in the same competition.  Birmingham's game ended 2-2 after they came from 0-2 down to snatch a draw.