Ghostbusters or coupon busters?



Rugby Park, the scene of some memorable scorelines for Inverness in previous years is the destination this weekend as Inverness travel to Ayrshire to take on winless Kilmarnock in the SPFL.

The Hunting Lodge has been abandoned by the Caley Away crew in favour of the Portland Arms. Nothing to do with ghostly happenings at the Lodge I'm assured, but they are taking no chances and are moving camp anyway. Maybe Feb8th will exorcise the Lodge before the next visit of William Thomson, Kilmarnock's own Immortal one apparently.

http://www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk/ayrshire-news/news-east-ayrshire/kilmarnock-news/2012/03/09/kilmarnock-pub-bosses-call-in-ghostbusters-after-ghostly-incidents-81430-30479242/

Killie have had an inauspicious start to the season, losing three and drawing two league games and they have been dumped out of the League Cup by Championship leaders Hamilton. Not the start new manager Allan Johnston would have been looking for after his switch from Queen of the South in the summer. Maybe he's not magic after all!

Richie Foran has picked up the first ever SPFL player of the month award, and also scooped the award at CTO after a sensational beginning to the season for our Irish captain. Thoroughly deserved accolades for our inspirational midfielder who is as adept in defence as he is in attack. Foran scored twice in August, one a thunderous diving header against Motherwell and the other at Celtic Park in a 2-2 draw.

Billy McKay added an International cap to his CV, unfortunately he could not stop Luxembourg recording their first home win in a world cup qualifier for 43 matches as they dumped N Ireland 3-2, their last victory at home coming in 1972. Billy was a second half sub and almost scored after jinking clear in the box but his effort was hit high into the side netting.

Our u20's paved the way in midweek coming away with a 3-3 draw at Rugby Park, where goals by Ryan Christie and Alan Evans along with an own goal gave Inverness a deserved share of the points.

Kirishima is going to spill the beans on the teams in the build up to the game...........

...........“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”

No, this was not Charles Bannerman on Sportsound, but Mahatma Gandhi. It is perhaps a tad excessive to have drawn a Gandhi quote on a football forum, but the keyword from the captain to the manager is belief; around the club and the fans, that this year will be something special. The starting XI is performing so well that Conor Pepper hopes for the bench and no more. Furthermore, ICT Chris on Pie & Bovril has stated that “McKay is on fire. Literally on fire.” (which may give Pepper hope of a start if true)

The international break has given most players a chance to rest, and injuries are thin on the ground for this match. There should be no surprises for ICT unless Malpas’ intensive training during the international break has worn out the squad. Killie are coming off a defeat and are in the same position ICT found themselves in last season – a reminder to all of how things can change.

The danger comes from upfront; journeyman Kris Boyd, like the prodigal son, returned to the SPFL after seeking fame and fortune elsewhere. Michael Gardyne, of Ross County “fame”, has been brought in from Dundee Utd. on loan to replace fans favourite Paul Heffernan. Killie too have budding internationalists, namely playmaker and fellow Northern Ireland team mate of Billy's, Sammy Clingan. He will pose a threat and will look to feed Gardyne who in turn will seek out Boyd. This trio then will have a big say in how the game will go. Former ICT keeper Reguero will be watching some Brill action from the bench. The latest player to try to resurrect his career at Rugby Park is none other than Nacho Novo who has been on trial along with Ismael Bouzid the former Hearts defender.

£30,000 was the fee Killie paid QoS for Johnston’s services after he pipped Terry to the PFA Manager of the Year award. He will be desperate to chalk up his first SPFL win and give the home fans something else to celebrate other than Macklin's shares.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the star of the show: the Killie Pie. This scotch pie is, in fact, a steak pie, made with scotch beef. Signed from Brownings the Bakers of Kilmarnock, voted by football fans as the best pie in British football, on more than one occasion, and most recently fourth best half time treat in European football. It has 2230 likes on Facebook, and has finally achieved national distribution in Scotland through Aldi & Spar.

Here's the Inverness fans in good spirits despite the 3-0 reverse in the cup, but extolling the virtues of the Killie Pie nonetheless, courtesy of our own dewsburydude



On a more serious note, Kilmarnock's impressive second half against Motherwell and the front line pairing should give Killie belief they can go for a win in the the game. Inverness will have to keep their standards and hunger high to come away with a win, something no doubt they have targeted for Saturday, along with some fish & chips at Aucterarder.