Scottish Cup redemption weekend

It's Scottish Cup weekend and Inverness visit an olde and familiar haunt at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock looking to get back on track after a couple of setbacks this week.

Our last cup game at Kilmarnock saw plenty of off-field activity. There was non-stop chanting about Jimmy and the Killie Pie and a Johndo led Conga to name but a couple.  The result was 3-0 to Killie, but this game could easily have ended six all and nobody would have batted an eyelid.

Capital Caley's previews are like buses.  None for long enough, then three come along at the same time..............read on. 

We’re on the road again for the third time in a week.

This time we head to to Kilmarnock. 

Caley Thistle head to Killie looking for a win after a heart breaking defeat to big spending Hearts in the League Cup Semi Final and a narrow defeat at the Midden.  The Caley Thistle faithful were confident of victory at Midden Park but despite an impressive second half performance by the players they just couldn’t find that final touch and the Midden snatched victory. 

We’ve had a mixed record at Rugby Park.  In the league we’ve had plenty of wins and draws but have suffered defeat twice in the Scottish Cup.  After earning a replay at the Caledonian Stadium we headed down to Killie confident of another famous cup shock in February 2001.  Barry Robson had put Inverness 1-0 up in stoppage time of the first game.  Unfortunately, Killie went up the other end and equalised.  (Think how County fans felt in our first Scottish Cup game with them this season!)  The replay was thrown into chaos when barely half an hour in the referee decided to abandon the match as freezing temperatures was causing havoc with Davide Xausas perm.  In the rescheduled match Davide Xausa put Caley Thistle 1-0 up but Killie finished 2-1 winners and our Scottish Cup dream was over for another year.  Steve Patersons lads were so close to going through but it was to be a step too far against SPL opposition. 

Caley Thistle entered the 5th round of the Scottish Cup this season with a 2-1 victory against the shadow dwellers across the bridge.  It was a bitter cold night and certainly not a classic but yet another victory over Uncle Roys big spending village team.  The first game was a classic however.  Caley Thistle equalised with the last kick of the ball doing what Killie had done to us 11 years ago.  The seethe coming from the County end was very clear.  Phil Roberts will be desperate to make up for his penalty miss last week and here's hoping he can influence the match as much as he did in Dingwall.

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The second time we drew Killie in the Cup it ended in another defeat.  This time it was during our promotion push in 2010 with Caley Thistle losing 3-0.  The win flattered Killie and the tango man got a bit of an ego bruising that day.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/NhRu-dCLqLs

Jimmy didn’t like the taste of the pies as much as was expected and he was away at the end of the season.  Mixu came and left and then entered Kenny Shiels.  Kenny is loved by the Kilmarnock fans but generally despised by everyone else in Scottish football.  I’m sure everyone is surprised he is even still at Kilmarnock as it is well documented he isn’t a fan of travelling.  Perhaps his next job will be with an Ayrshire Junior side.  http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/kilmarnock-boss-kenny-shiels-raging-1129786

The Caley Thistle faithful made their way to Easter Road last week in big numbers.  Numbers were naturally lower at the Midden and should return to its natural 100-200 on Saturday.  No trip to Killie would be complete without fans assembling at the Hunting Lodge pre match.  They even put food on for us earlier in the season.  They know how to look after their guests.  Another must see tourist attraction in Kilmarnock is Fannies, which we usually pop into after the match.  A word of warning though.  Don’t buy the 20p shots of chocolate vodka in the wee shop next door!

It’s been a tough week for the Caley Jags.  Still riding high in 2^nd spot in the SPL but the players will be desperate for the win on Saturday to keep our cup hopes alive.  Danny Devine came in for injured David Raven at the Midden and impressed on his debut.  Raven should be available for selection tomorrow.  Personally I wouldn’t change the line up but Terry Butcher may want to change things for the cup competition.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ryan Esson back in goals.  He’s acting like Zebedee standing behind the goals warming up desperate for his chance to return to the starting XI.  Ross Draper is suspended for this game.

Our last trip to Rugby Park resulted in a 2-1 victory for Caley Thistle.  A repeat of that scoreline would do nicely.  Although a draw would see Kiliie travelling up to Inverness mid week.  Kenny Shiels seethe at this prospect would be most pleasing.

The Scottish Cup is a magical tournament.  This may not be a fairytale game but it really is a must win game.  The lads need a quick confidence boost to bounce back from 2 defeats.  A win on Saturday will help boost the confidence needed in our challenge for 2^nd spot.  A win on Saturday takes us one game away from Hampden (or Edinburgh if we get drawn against Hibs!)  One step at a time though.  This can still be a special season.  Lets get back on track with a win on Saturday.  Caley Away with Terry and Mo!

CapitalCaleys prediction:  Last week I didn't want to tempt fate but we lost anyway.  Therefore i'm going for a reverse of the Jimmy says Aye score line.  Kilmarnock 0-3 Caley Thistle