Xmas Cheer for Inverness

Inverness returned to second spot in the SPL after a comprehensive victory over a spritely Dundee who had come to the Highlands to have a go but were turned over by the free scoring Inverness squad.  The 4-1 scoreline may have flattered Inverness in October, but there was nothing to be embarrassed about this time after a ruthless display sent Dundee deeper into the drop slot.

Billy McKay from the spot opened the scoring after Foran was bundled over, and Owain Tudur-Jones rifled home the second before the break.  McKay showed that he can even score when lying down, nae problem, and Andy Shinnie rounded off the scoring after some deft footwork.  Nicky Riley scored Dundee's counter.

Dundee Stuffed

It's Xmas time, the turkey's getting fat, the presents are under the tree, the reindeer are ready to go and the kids can't sleep at night.  But wait.  Where's Santa?  Sorry kids, he might be in the nick after some festive cheer saw Santa's being ejected from the South Stand as their team, like the turkey got well stuffed.  Hopefully, these were just imposters, and Xmas will go ahead as normal, but the Caley Jags got their presents early with an emphatic victory to send the home fans off to start their festivities after the final whistle.

Don't worry children, Santa will be coming down your chimney soon.

A chilly breezy day saw another dismal crowd of just over three thousand forgo the Christmas shopping, the long queues at Tesco and the horrific sound of endless Xmas songs wherever you go to witness an entertaining enough match with five goals and plenty to cheer.

It was widely predicted that Dundee might be able to offer stern resistance to the free scoring Inverness attack, and for most of the first half this was the case.  An even opening to the game as both sides looked capable of hitting swiftly on the break and Lockwood had the first attempt on target after six minutes but Reguero saved comfortably.  A couple of minutes later and Garry Warren made an error of judgement as a long punt forward bounced of the slippy turf and over his head to let Colin Nish through on goal, but he tried to bend the ball into the bottom corner and Reguero smothered his weak effort with ease.

It was a warning for Inverness that Dundee were not just here to make up the numbers and Nicky Riley, as expected was teasing Graeme Shinnie on the flank.

However, in the twelfth minute, Inverness took the lead after some persistent foraging up front with Rab Douglas and his post keeping the ball out brilliantly from Foran and McKay before Richie Foran was taken down going wide for the rebound.  Who else but he scores when he wants Billy McKay slotted the spot kick home expertly, sending Douglas the wrong way.

Just the lift Inverness needed and McKay's scoring exploits continued, eleven goals in his last seven games, good by any standards.

Dundee were not disheartened by this and still looked lively.  Surprise surprise, an Inverness throw in broke down inside the Dundee half and they neatly transferred the ball up the left side before James McAlister switched the ball to the right wing where tricky Nicky Riley was in acres of space after Inverness had pushed forward.  He controlled the ball well before advancing into the box and sent an angled drive across Reguero and in off the post for an excellent equaliser.

This heartened Dundee once more and after twenty minutes Baird and Riley exchanged passes before Baird thrashed a rising shot goalwards and Reguero took no chances, tipping the ball over for a corner.

Inverness went one better though as Tudur-Jones, Raven and Foran passed the ball around the Dundee defence before Jones unleashed one of his now trademark distance shots from twenty eight yards, hammering a low curling shot beyond the outstretched arms of veteran keeper Rab Douglas.  Twenty four minutes gone and Inverness were back on the ascendency and saw out the game comfortably to the break.

Half Time 2-1

McKay was at it again within three minutes of the restart.  He does like a goal does our Billy, this time while nonchalantly lying on his side, chipping the ball home off the arse of a defender after being played in on goal, courtesy of a loose Davidson backpass which Douglas did his best to keep away from goal.

Dundee were almost down and out, but not before Riley and McAlister had teed up Baird who flashed a low shot just wide, and that was about their last piece of resistance.

Andy Shinnie should have scored the fourth when put through after an exquisite pass from Jones, but Douglas palmed away his curler from the edge of the box and it skewed agonisingly the wrong side of the post.  He would not be denied however, and with twenty minutes left Shinnie scored a beauty after being fed into the box by brother Graeme.  He still had a bit of work to do, but he effortlessly coasted past two defenders and thumped a shot across big Rab into the far corner from the left side to put Inverness on easy street.

The scoring should not have ended there though as Shinnie turned provider for Draper, but the big midfielder curled his shot too close to the overworked Douglas to deny the hosts a fifth goal.

Full Time 4-1

This was a pretty comprehensive gubbing from a confident Inverness side who looked as though they could score when they wanted.  McKay does that anyway and notched his eighteenth goal of the season with a superb bit of improvisation and it was good to see Andy Shinnie get back on the goal trail. Tudur-Jones is showing his class now after an inglorious start to the season and his lengthy injury lay off and it really is just a great time to be an Inverness fan.  I doubt it get's much better than this, which is why it must be hard for the players to motivate themselves when only the palindromic 3003 turn out to watch the most entertaining side in the SPL so far.  Shame on you Inverness.

The wee man talks to the Long Man after the game.....and Terry Scrooge gives us his views of the proceedings as well

tm4tj MotM:-  A few contenders, easier to say who is not in contention. Aaron Doran seems to be out of sorts these days, not able to get to the byeline often enough, but an honest days work from him and Garry Warren won't be wanting to make more errors of judgement like that one today.  But we can forgive these guys who have done their bit over the last few weeks to lift Inverness into second spot in the SPL, just in time for Xmas.  Plenty of candidates as I said, and Jones, McKay and Foran were superb, but for his close control and excellent link up play from midfield, not to mention a stunning goal, Andy Shinnie get's my vote, although McKay get's a special mention for his laid back approach to goal scoring.

Another man worthy of a mention was Dundee keeper Rab Douglas, at 41 still able to perform heroics and he kept the score down with some fantastic saves, but was helpless with the ones that counted and not helped by his tiring defence.

22nd Dec 2012	Scottish Premier League	Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
Inverness C.T.	4 - McKay (pen12, 48), Tudur-Jones (24), A.Shinnie (70)
	TEAM: Reguero, Raven, G.Shinnie, Warren, Meekings (Cooper 73), Doran (Pepper 87), Draper, Tudur-Jones, A.Shinnie, McKay (Roberts 86), Foran
	SUBS: Esson, Sutherland, Morrison, Polworth
	Booked: none
	Sent Off: none
Dundee	1 - Riley (19)
	TEAM: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, Benedictus, Gallagher, Riley (Conroy 83), Davidson, McBride, McAlister, Nish, Baird (Stewart 65)
	SUBS: Baird, O'Donnell, Boyle, Toshney, Easton
	Booked: none
	Sent Off: none
Referee	Kevin Clancy
Attendance	3003