Jamboree in Leith

Inverness fans are heading down to Leith looking for a party.  It's our first crack at the Scottish League Cup semi-finals after eighteen years as a football club.  It maybe does not have the fascination and romance of the Scottish Cup, but nonetheless it is one of the major domestic competitions in Scotland although the fans don't seem to get quite so enthusiastic about the occasion.

Inverness will hope to have over 2,000 fans in attendance at the neutral venue of Easter Road, a mere stones throw away from our opposition's headquarters of Tynecastle.  The Jambo's were looking to fill the rest of the stadium, but unless there is a massive surge of ticket sales in the last few days, there will be plenty of seats left for casual visitors on Saturday.  

But let's not worry about those that won't turn up and concentrate on those that will make the effort and the players who will be taking part in this penultimate round of the competition, once more named Scottish Communities League Cup sponsored by the Scottish Government.

Inverness have seen off Arbroath, Stenhousemuir and The Rangers, all away from home so this visit to Edinburgh should hold no fears for the high flying Caley Jags. The Warriors proved to be the most difficult of our opponents on a difficult night for football, but Inverness went through 6-5 on penalties after the ninety minutes and extra time had ended 1-1.  Ryan Esson was the hero that night, saving Darren Smith's spot-kick to send the Highlanders into the next round. He can't get back into the starting eleven now as Antonio Reguero has kept him out since being thrust into action at the end of September, ironically due to an injury to Esson.

Hearts ended the hopes of Livingston in the third round and they also needed the help of a penalty shoot-out to progress, ousting Dundee United in the quarter final by five penalties to four, the game ending 1-1 after ninety.

Caley Jags warmed up for this game by trouncing Aberdeen 3-0 last weekend with a devastating second half performance where Billy (he scores when he wants) McKay netting a superb double and Andy Shinnie scoring an equally impressive opener as the Dons wilted under a barrage of slick attacking play and showboating skills akin to Messi or Ronaldo.  The Jambo's, meanwhile were suffering at the hands of Celtic, going down heavily by 4-1, their lack of firepower evident at Parkhead and indeed throughout this current campaign.

We probably go into this one as favourites given the relative league positions, and on current form, you can't argue with that. It's not normally our most productive scenario, but this is a one off game for the chance to get to a national final' and our post winter break form has maintained the standard set before New Year so let's give it a go.

Capital Caley has eventually bought a new laptop and he will tell us more in the build up to the big game.................

Caley Thistles first ever League Cup Semi Final on Saturday comes one day before the fourth anniversary of Terry and Mo’s appointment as management team.  The feel good factor at the Caledonian Stadium is at an all time high.  Terry and Mo have the team flying high in 2^nd spot in the league with a Scottish Cup game against Kilmarnock still to come after our League Cup Semi Final.

Caley Jags fans are delighted with Scottish football hall of famer Terry Butcher.  Turning down the Barnsley position even though he was offered an estimated £10,000,000 per week has brought a breathe of fresh air into Scottish football as a whole.  Hearts fans however are far from happy with Mr Magoo.  John also has the dubious award of being the most bizarrely dressed manager in the SPL.  Who wears a shirt and tie with track suit bottoms?!

There is hope for Hearts however.  With the lifting of their transfer embargo, late on Thursday night Magoo signed Ngoo.  The main story of course is whether it’s a silent N.  Hearts have Ngoo, and we have McKay.  Billy has scored 20 goals this season and has attracted the interest from who ever journalists from tabloids choose.  Billy who scores when he wants is a contender for the Golden Boot so here’s hoping he chooses to score at least 3 against the Jam Tarts on Saturday

I’m sure we all wish for as successful a day as we had on Saturday 26^th January 2002.  Caley Thistle headed to Edinburgh to play Hearts in the Scottish Cup.  Out numbered but not out sung Caley Thistle stormed to a 3-1 win with goals from Ross Tokely, Dennis Wyness and David Bagan.  A repeat of that score line for Caley Thistle will send us to our first ever major final. The victors will play against either Celtic or the Midden.

The likely team line up will be the same as the Aberdeen game.  Reguero, Dave the Rave, Meekings, Warren, G. Shinnie, Doran, Draper, OTJ, Foran, A. Shinnie  and the Nessie Messi.  (Are we actually calling him that?!).  Towards the end of last weeks emphatic victory over the Fit Likers saw Nick Ross making an appearance.  He looked sharp and as we go into an important part of the season it is great to have him back in the squad. 

It’s been 4 years of Terry and Mo!  We’re all behind Butcher.  We’re all behind the team.  Lets make some noise for the Caley Thistle boys!

CapitalCaleys prediction:

Nope.  Sorry to disappoint.  Sitting on the fence and not jinxing it this time!!!

Inverness have remained relatively injury free this season and I would expect an unchanged lineup from the side that beat Aberdeen at the weekend. Only Chris Hogg and Simon King remain out.  Inverness have also added 19 year old Charlie Taylor from Leeds United for the rest of the season.  Charlie is a full back and will add some competition for the back line in the push for Europe.

He Scores When He Wants:- Congratulations to Billy McKay who has been called up to the Northern Irish squad for the forthcoming international against Malta on 6th February, his second calling.  Rumour has it that Lionel Messi has an image of Billy McKay printed on his T-shirt and he reveals it everytime he scores as a tribute to the wee man.  It's true I tell you, true, see here.................

Hearts will have striker Michael Ngoo available as he has completed his loan move from Liverpool. Callum Paterson will miss out through injury.  Dale Carrick is a doubt but Ryan Stevenson and Darren Barr are both banned although captain Marius Zaliukas returns from suspension.  Granny Dainger will not be offered a new contract at the end of the season, this comes on top of Hearts Defender Ryan McGowan leaving the club to sign a two-year deal with Shandong Luneng Taishan. (that's number 24 on the menu)

The Highlands are ours, and soon we hope to conquer the capital, lets leave it to these guys...................from the excellent caleyjags.com page.