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Administration penalty - 15 points Administration bonus - getting shot of Ferguson!

Longstaff fit and will start. And no other injury worries, good news!

I'm quite happy to see Annan and particularly, Dumbarton winning. There's not a chance Dumbarton are going to catch us, and if they are winning, other teams a little above will be losing. If we continue with our post-Dunc points per game ratio, then we might well make the promotion play-offs. What a brilliant job Scott is doing with the boys!

I agree entirely. I thought the ref was losing it with the flurry of bookings just before the half hour and then he bottled what should have been a sending off. The Queens Manager clearly thought the same as he promptly hooked the player involved when we scored. It was a brilliant goal, created by some good play and well taken by Bavidge. We handled their physicality well and were deserved winners. Stewart had a brilliant effort well saved whilst we’d a couple of other chances where if we’d hit the ball hard we’d have scored. 8 wins in 11 is quite an achievement but we’ve another tough one at Arbroath next weekend. We were 8th at half time albeit we remain 9th with Annan winning, but we are right in the mix. Who’d have thought this was possible a few months ago. Onwards and upwards!

Great to get the home win after our winter tour of Scotland. One of the best worked goals we've scored this season in what wasn't a very tidy game for either aide. Thought we were worthy of the 3 points all the same. I think we missed Mckay's link up play but it was reassuring to see that the team can play without him. Our ability to dig in and get a result even when in a scruffy battle is pleasing. We are now closer in points to the top of the table than the bottom and within a win of the two teams above us. All things considered that's pretty incredible given where we were just over 3 months ago.

That’s fair enough if you’re aiming at 8th place. If you’re aiming higher, Montrose lost on to Gayfield next week…

Wasn't close in reality. Needed a second goal to make life easier but their keeper had some good saves. Denied what looked like an obvious penalty to me as well. Referee was dreadful, Queens should have been down to 10 nen in the first half but ref bottled it then booked Gilmour for a similar tackle shortly afterwards. Mackinnon and Brays bookings were ridiculous compared to some of the dreadful fouls committed by Queens. Possibly the worst ref yet and that's saying something.

The Queens Head North It's an early chance for revenge after we were beaten in Dumfries nine days ago as Queen of the South visit the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday afternoon, having won 3-2 at Palmerston. They have climbed to third in the table with former Caley Jag Adam Brooks scoring for fun in recent games. Luis Longstaff has trained this week and if he shows no reaction he will be included in the squad. Queens could top the table on Saturday night should they win and other results go their way. Our target is a win over Queens with Annan failing to win and that would put the Caley Jags up to eighth. Plenty of incentives for both teams to do well and that should make for another entertaining encounter. Remember to try the new improved bus service for home games. For 3 pm kick offs, buses leave the Bus Station at 1 pm and 2.15 pm. Buses return from the Stadium 10 minutes after the full time whistle and again at 6 pm. Stagecoach operates these journeys as normal bus services, open to all passengers, and at no cost to either the club or the Supporters Trust. Passengers holding Under 22 or Senior Citizen and Disabled Concessionary Cards will travel free on the service. For other passengers the fare is £2.40 for a single journey. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hospitality/Match/Ticket/Bus/Bar Bus to game Sponsorship ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Venue for H2H Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 22 13 3 6 39 26 +13 Away 21 8 7 6 36 25 +11 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 43 21 10 12 75 51 +24 Over the years we generally held the upper hand over the Doonhamers with home advantage showing a greater chance of taking all three points. Administration has it's knock on effect though and this will be a tougher ask than previous years. Last 10 Competitive Meetings 2 - 3 (A) 1 - 0 (H) 1 - 2 (A) 2 - 2 (H) 2 - 1 (A) 2 - 1 (H) 1 - 1 (A) 0 - 1 (H) 3 - 0 (A) 3 - 1 (H) It's one win each so far this season. A 1-0 win back at the end of August with Billy Mckay notching a first half winner during the Ferguson era. The next game was re-scheduled, hence the two in nine days with Adam Brooks grabbing a brace. Alfie Bavidge and Keith Bray had pulled us level but substitute Jordan Allan nicked the winner ten minutes from the end. A long journey home with no points after putting so much into the game. Maybe we can repay them this weekend. INVERNESS CT The Season So Far D L D D W D D D L / W L(11)D W W W L W L W W L W Since Scott Kellacher was handed the reins in game 11, there has been a more positive approach to our matches which has resulted in improved performances and a more enjoyable matchday experience all round. Alas we were brought back to earth with a disappointing result in our last game of 2024, a crushing 1-4 defeat at home to Cove Rangers. We'll have to put that one down to a bad day at the office. However, we bounced back in our first game of the second half of the season in the six pointer against Dumbarton with a hard fought 2-0 win. That win over Dumbarton was a vital one and the introduction of Alfie Bavidge was a welcome one as he opened the scoring early in the first half. Charlie Gilmour slotted in the clincher in the second half to give us a cushion over the Sons and to narrow the gap on Annan to seven points. We took part in the only League1 game last weekend and came away from Annan with a resounding 3-0 win, Alfie Bavidge netting again with Keith Bray and then Billy Mckay from the spot. *It was then on to Palmerston on the Tuesday night but in a five goal encounter we went down 3-2. Alfie Bavidge notched his third goal in three games and Keith Bray added a second but goals from Adam Brooks (2) and Jordan Allan kept the points in Dumfries. We bounced back with a resilient 1-2 win at Alloa in our third away game on the bounce, Keith Bray with his fourth of the season and Alfie Stewart his first. Up next a revenge mission at home to QotS. *There were plenty of positives to be taken from the defeat against Queen of the South in last midweek. Alfie Bavidge is on form with three from three and Keith Bray added his third League goal of the season. Luis Longstaff was a big miss at Palmerston having been injured at Annan last Saturday and missed out again at Alloa. Scott Kellacher on Luis Longstaff: “He’s back in contention, he’s trained a fair bit so we’ll see how he gets on. He got through training today [Thursday] so we’ll see how he is tomorrow [Friday] and take it from there. He’s been back training a couple of days so that has been ideal to get him back involved with the squad.” Full Preview from Scott Kellacher Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Arbroath 20 8 34 2 Stenny 22 5 32 3 Queen of Sth 22 -1 32 4 Cove 21 9 31 5 Kelty Hearts 21 9 31 6 Alloa Athletic 22 3 29 7 Montrose 21 -2 25 8 Annan Ath 22 -19 21 9 Inverness CT 22 2 19 10 Dumbarton 21 -14 07 L D W D W W Queens recent run of form has lifted them up to third in the table. A loss at Kelty was followed by a home draw against Annan Athletic then a win over Cove Rangers before drawing with Alloa Athletic. There was the Cup defeat against St Mirren where they gave the Premiership side as good as they got but just fell short and they picked themselves up to beat the Caley Jags in Dumfries in a five goal thriller. They then scored three again against Dumbarton. Adam Brooks has scored four in his last two games, five in the last six League matches and six League goals for the season. Meh! This was their starting XI against the Sons. With Harry Cochrane and Kyle Doherty out there were starts for Josh Walker and Lewis O'Donnell. Taylor Charters, a 23 year old midfielder, has joined on loan from Carlisle United this week for the remainder of the season and goalkeeper Murray Johnson has returned on loan from Hibs. Forward Leighton McIntosh has now left Queens.

What the f***k was going on with QOS they were not interested in playing football at all. Tried to intimidate the young guys at every opportunity, with a weak accomplice of a referee. The cart horse no 11 was one or the worst culprits, who was just embarrassingly bad at football. Positives for us, was we stuck at it and never got sucked down to there level All good ,but special mention to Gilmour and Savage who never missed a challenge all day.

Couldn’t agree more DD. We’re reeling Montrose in at a rate of knots and Kelty are looking a bit vulnerable - onwards and upwards…

Fantastic response to a team who tried to rule the game with shirt pulling and bullying tactics. Fortunately our boys seem to grow in stature and determination when wronged, and I was so pleased for them all with the final score. Lovely to see the team enjoying the plaudits at full time, and to see SK coming out to greet the fans. Much appreciated. Shame that Annan won, otherwise a great afternoons entertainment.8

He has been amazing. I never thought we could be so lucky after we lost Ridgers.

Great win today. QOS were a pretty physical side but everyone worked hard and supported each other. Longstaff put in a brilliant shift given that he was just returning from injury. We didn't have too many attempts on goal, but at times later in the 2nd half, we played some nice intricate build up play which didn't quite come off. Both defences played well giving opponents little time on the ball. The referee was awful. Great support from the youngsters in section C which the players really appreciated.

Yes, well done lads. Stats show it was a close game. Really pleased that we were able to hang on for the win. Onwards and upwards

Excluding the administration penalty, we’d be 2 points clear at the top.

Vital one to win, since Annan won as well...

Goal! Alfie B does it again

Really looking forward to todays game. It seems like ages since we last had a home game. Big day, but I have every faith that we will be out of the relegation zone by teatime. Get out there and enjoy the game boys - you are TITANIUM. C'mon Caley

Came across this on YouTube. If posted already somewhere on the site sorry for the duplication.

Not with Duncan Ferguson in charge. Remember that players in the era were discouraged from shooting on goal and shortly after getting over the half way line were instructed to keep it and gradually work it back to the goalkeeper.

Great result! Moving on up

FT 1-0. That’ll do nicely.

Really tight first half. Great though ball, run on and finish by Alfie B to score an excellent goal. Feel Queens are wanting to outmuscle and bully us, so an interesting second half awaits. We were a little vulnerable on both back positions in the FH I feel so may need to help both players.

Longstaff back with Mckay on bench.

Really intriguing match today and a real test IMO of where we (the team) are as a group and a measure of where we stand as we look ahead to the remainder of the season. Queens will fancy themselves for three points I feel thinking they have a measure of how to get behind our defence having beat us recently. They are seasoned campaigners in this league and know there way around it. They’ll have their eyes on the top of the league given their recent momentum, so it’s up to us to prove we’re capable of matching them on every front. We look a more balance team now that we are carrying a threat up front. Dibaga is a real find for me and if we can provide him enough protection there is a good chance we can get something out of the game today. Looking forward to the match. Love a victory but I would consider not loosing today being a point closer to Annan at 5 o'clock. bc

A good day for a game of football and hopefully a home win.

What I remember about that game was that early the next morning I had to fly out to New Orleans to join a BP super-tanker and the captain was a Lewis-man living in Inverness and a keen Caley supporter. When he found out I was at the game I had to give him a blow-by-blow account of the full 90 minutes and Billy's late goal.

‘To be honest, it's difficult to see why anyone would want to buy a small, lowly Scottish league club miles from most places, which can't possibly sustain itself through football income alone’ ‘hasn't Savage talked about him leading a consortium being a way forward?’ Well said snorbens. Your first point is the question that we (the club and the fans), have IMO been tumbling over for the past decade or more as we try to understand the club’s true and real position in the Scottish football whilst dealing with the expectations of the fans, City and region giving the limitations in the arena we / they operate. As has been well documented in CTO and other outlets we have insufficient fan numbers to make the football operation viable. That’s unlikely to change as simply the population in the Highlands is too small to support two teams. Throw in competition from the old firm and other more comfortable alternatives (cinema, gaming), it’s hard to see where the numbers we need would come from. The clubs rise and achievements over the past 30 compete admirably with other comparable provincial teams. But there has also been a slow steady decline with neglect and overspending our reach resulting in where we currently are. As you (and others) rightly point out we need the new owners (being positive they materialise), to look at a different model for financing the operations. To your point 2, Alan Savage has no question about it, saved the club from going under IMO. I question whether ICTFC would have had any proper future if K Mahwana had succeeded in buying the club with SG still around. I do hope AS is part (steers) any consortium or group that takes over for a couple of years. He has the club at heart I’m sure and has invested heavily (1M by the time we’re out of Admin?), to let the club travel down the same error strewn road. It may be there will be some significant changes for the club and fans that we have to accept as part of any new regime. Just wish him good health! bc

A great spot ymip. It goes to show how well County’s scouting network is functioning!

Getting ourselves up to 8th spot would also be a significant landmark. If we can remain in the current division then financially we are more attractive. Without -15 points we would be at the right end of the table under SK and next season with a -5 point deduction perhaps it could be more successful ....

Great team goal. Nice football.

As you make your plans for Saturday's game, remember about the improved matchday bus service, which allows you to spend time in Bar 94 before and after the game. We have issued this statement today following the kind donation by Stagecoach of the revenue they received on the service on its first day of operation on 28 December: https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/post/statement-on-stagecoach-donation-to-ictst Buses leave the Bus Station at 1 pm and 2 15 pm, and return from the Stadium 10 minutes after the full time whistle and again at 6 pm.

Another loss for the women today at Ochilview Park today.

Unfortunately all 5 North of Scotland goals were scored by County players.