League Cup action at Arbroath

Inverness head for the seaside on wednesday evening to take on the 'Red Lichties' in a Scottish Communities League Cup tie at Gayfield, Arbroath. Named after the red lights that used to guide fishing boats back to the safety of the harbour, Arbroath is famous for a couple of things. Smokies, the delicacy made from salted and smoked haddock, and a 36-0 humping of Bon Accord in the Scottish Cup on 12th September 1885, and that included a disallowed goal. It was a good day for goals that day as Dundee Harp racked up a 35-0 win over Aberdeen Rovers and Heilan Dee and Gringo had plenty to talk about as they supped their real ale over a barrel of smokies.

Gringo has given us a preview ahead of this banana skin game and here are his thoughts below...........

A trip to Pleasureland and Gayfield.................ooerrr missus

Last Saturday's disastrous result against the champions should have the desired effect on the side to go out and right the wrongs of that dreadful performance. We take a break from SPL duty and return to 'grass roots' football and a chance to return to the real world of terracing, corrugated tin roofs and concrete toilets. However, despite the nostalgia to be gleamed at these grounds the single the main attraction of any visit to Arbroath is a chance to take on a smokie or two! Smokies, a beer and football........should be like this for every game?

The Scottish Communities League Cup offers us the chance to go on a cup run of biblical proportions but, as we well know from past experiences, this competition doesn't hold too many happy memories for the ICT faithful. It was a Wednesday night back in 2008 when we last went to Arbroath which was in the same competition. A massive crowd of almost 600 saw us force a penalty shoot out after being pegged back twice in the game. We won the shoot out 4-2. We actually reached the quarter finals that season which is a rarity in itself.

These competitions are special to the fans but, unfortunately, do not attract big crowds especially in the early stages of the competition. We enjoyed many a giant killing in our early days in Scottish league football but the boot is now well and truly on the other foot. We are now the 'giants' and potential scalps for sides like Arbroath. The history between us goes right back to our first ever League fixture when we beat them 5-2 at Telford Street. To date we have won 18 of the 27 meetings and can 'boast' a 100% record in Cup competitions...its only been three mind but a 100% record all the same.

Arbroath are currently managed by former ICT legend Paul Sheerin and if anybody knows about how to go about giant killing he surely does. Who can forget his penalty on that infamous night in Glasgow? He will have his side well up for this tie, no question about that. How ICT will respond to this is anybody's guess but, as mentioned above, the lads should be very keen to put Saturday's result behind them and go all out to make sure a giant killing doesn't happen. For many of the side this is a new contest for them having never played in it before. The ground may also be a shock to the system to some of our English lads and if the winds blowing they'll probably get sand in the their eyes and the only wave they could expect see would be that of the North sea. It sounds like I'm making excuses for our cup exit already doesn't it?

Current form:- ICT

Despite Saturday's awful display the side haven't been playing that badly. We were unbeaten in 6 games (league) up until then. Our playing style has changed for the better this term with some good passing going on. We still lack that cutting edge in front of goal and are very dodgy at the back. Concentration will be the key throughout this game. Our commitment and desire to win has been evident in our first two away games this term and hopefully this will continue.

Current form:- Arbroath:

They have had a great start to the season and are currently unbeaten and sit on top of the second division. In their last game they game from 2-0 down at Alloa to win 2-3 and played the last 25 minutes of the match with ten men. Their confidence going into this game will be sky high. However, just like ICT, they have conceded in every game this term so far.

Team news

Inverness – As always Terry Butcher will see this a chance for some of the squad players to get some football in but, hopefully, he will have some experience on the bench just in case things do go wrong. There is no doubt that this will be a chance for us to see Reguero in action in goal and Liam Polworth to have a start. Owain Tudor-Jones may feature after serving his ban. Conor Pepper is also likely to start as is Gavin Morrison but Nick Ross will be absent through injury after dislocating his shoulder against Celtic.

Arbroath – I would expect Paul Sheerin to field his strongest side for this encounter. However, he could be without Daniel Rennie who was sent off at Alloa last Saturday. In Darren Gribben they have what looks like a potential top scorer in this division as he has bagged seven goals so far this term. There's not much scope in their squad to change things around. A few ex-County players in their ranks, Tony Bullock the flamboyant keeper, Alex Keddie at centre back and Derek Holmes a striker who knows how to find the net.

Gringo's prediction:– There is no doubt that this will be a tough encounter for ICT who will have to be on top of their game to get a favourable result. I believe we do have the players to pull this off and they do posses the desire and urge to right the wrongs of last weekend. This is a tie that is winnable but it wont be easy and may possibly go to extra time, which we don't want. I will settle for a nerve jangling 2-1 win for ICT.