Mr Motivator is at it again

It could be the world face gurning championships in Inverness as Derek Adams and his shadows return to the Pride of the Highlands dome for the next gripping installment of the Highland derby.  Derek was not best pleased after his side conceded a later than late goal to take this tie back to Inverness for another tussle on the turf and his ungracious bitterness was evident as he slapped hands and turned away from the cameras uttering a few uncomplimentary remarks in the process, his contorted face removing the smile that lit up his fizogg only moments earlier. Seething.

Only ten days after that dramatic encounter in Dingwall, both clubs have it all to do again, the prize for the victor, a lengthy trip to Kilmarnock in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. If it's half as enthralling as the last game, then it will be well worth the paltry admission price of £15.  It was worth that alone to see Mr Adams face at the final whistle last time out and a similar expression would be a reasonable sign that things have gone well for the home side.

As mentioned previously, it's not just another game.  It's a cup tie, local derby, revenge mission, marker for the season and bragging rights all rolled into one where the winners holds their heads high and the losers regroup for another season without a cup run and their fans take the flak for another few weeks.


Ginger Jaggy is brave enough to set the scene for the joust and he reveals all in his preview........

County Cup Cracker Part Two

Tuesday sees part two of the County cup cracker after the dramatic draw at Victoria Park. It is very difficult to say what is going to happen in this game after the drama that ensued over a week ago. Since the 1st of December Caley Thistle has climbed to new heights getting to second in the SPL to be Celtics direct challenge at the moment. Remarkably the Caley Jags are the only other team looking at claiming a league and cup treble. But to keep the dream alive we have to dispose of our biggest rivals in this replay.

Since the demise of the Old Firm derby in the SPL, the Highland derby has taken centre stage to add to a number of derbies the SPL has gained. The first ever SPL derby match at the Caledonian stadium was a major success with a great energy, intensity and atmosphere. The game was filled with drama and goals for each side in a very competitive and exciting match. The honours though remained in Inverness with the club from Dingwall retreating back across the Kessock Bridge without anything to show for their second half pressure. But if that game was exciting in Inverness then the cup match at the new Victoria Park (Global Energy Stadium) was the tie of the round.

Arbroath’s equaliser at Parkhead was a surprise and the Edinburgh derby showed all the determination and passion a derby brings but the Highland cup tie brought all that and more. Take away the dramatic stoppage time and there was still cracking goals and controversial moments to make it one of the best Highland derbies of all time. The Caley Thistle goal may have only been an equaliser but it felt like a victory, and that will produce the momentum going into the replay.

This is a derby so no result is certain but on paper there can only be one winner. ICT have been a revelation on the pitch this season only tasting defeat on three occasions against only two sides. The football has been remarkable and some results have been out of this world. ICT have really found some gems but as a team every player has contributed, from the bigger names like the Shinnie brothers and Billy Mackay to the unheralded players like David Raven and his back 5 counterparts.

County on the other hand have been solid if unspectacular this season. Dundee looked to be the poorest team in the league so unless something dramatic happens or Dundee spends lots in January to strengthen, then County should be comfortable enough to continue hostilities into next season. They have been pretty solid on the large part this season and have picked up a few impressive results along the way but their Achilles heel this season has been a lack of goals apart from a hectic flurry at St Mirren where they scored four but still lost. In fact County sit 10th with a meagre return of 19 goals so far this campaign. The first tie ended 3-3 with two of the Staggies goals having some luck attached to them. Reguero was not put into action often enough during a half where he had the low winters sun in his eyes.  No such issues tonight.

So part two is now upon us and if this tie is anything like the original, everyone is going to be warmed up on what is likely to be a cold evening. The added clause with this tie is that a last minute equaliser will now be enough; the game has to be decided on the night so we may have even more drama of extra time and penalties. For the supporters this game doesn’t need any introduction but if some of you reading this haven’t quite got the derby excitement yet, then I suggest listening to the great ICT fans motivator Derek Adams.

To all at the game MAKE SOME NOISE AND ROAR ICT INTO THE 5TH ROUND. :ictscarf:

***Latest Team News***

Inverness have no fresh injury worries despite Richie Foran trying his best to get injured last weekend.  He is, however, made of stern stuff and will be fit to take his place in the side.  Philip Roberts returns to the squad and is available for selection after a weekend in London for personal reasons and after extending his loan deal from Arsenal until the summer.  Nick Ross (shoulder) and Simon King (ankle) are closer to a comeback than Chris Hogg, who remains out with a knee injury.

Ross County defender Mihael Kovacevic has recovered from illness after being taken off in the loss at Motherwell.  Russell Duncan, Mark Corcoran, Sam Morrow and Martin Scott remain injured.