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I've said it before and a couple of times yesterday it was proven correct with a weak cross and shot, but Nick does need a bit more muscle. However, and it's a big however, he is now legendary and his contribution when he came on yesterday was immeasurable, his finest 40 minutes in an ICT shirt. Not only did he score the goal through tenacity that kept us in the game, but his control and link play with Billy was tremendous giving us that vital bit of composure required and the ability to hold play up for a few seconds when down to nine men. He was instrumental in gaining us valuable time and even though two men short, we still matched Hearts for the whole of extra time. His balls must be huge. He stood up to hit wallop that penalty home, considering his last one was a tad meek, but boy did he give it some, and some more. I could not be happier for the guy and he thoroughly deserves his moment. Onwards and upwards Nick Ross.

For me the 1-3 win at Parkhead will always be the moment. The 1-3 cup win at Tynecastle a couple of years later is also up there. However, yesterday is one of those days that epitomises the never say die attitude of our team and supporters...... Shafted by the organisers of the competition from the very start with the ludicrous venue choice that effectively made it a home tie for one of the teams, they then heaped more scorn on us by selecting a starting time that paid no heed to the fact that no public transport was available to get supporters there in time, instead expecting them to make their own arrangements and brave a treacherous road in the dawn hours of a winter's morning. Add to that that they assigned a referee who is regarded in various circles as controversial or incompetent at best (look him up in google in terms of dodgy red card decisions, or crap performances) and the odds were stacked against us. To be 1-2 down deep into injury time with two dodgy red cards and a couple of shouts for penalties that were never given, come back to 2-2 with virtually the last kick of the ball, then hang on for 30 minutes and win it on pens was remarkable and now that the dust has settled I would just like to thank John Cheaton (oops Beaton) for giving our club the massive boost to morale and jolt to our #togetherNESS that we may have lost in the Butcher --> Yogi transition !!!

When I went to the Four in Hand (now rebranded as "The IV") I noticed the board outside listing today's televised matches had an interesting take on our opponents.

I.ve got that feeling again.. Can't shake it off. Massive grin on my face. Walking on air. NOTHING is going to get in my way today........................I'm a Caley man!!!!

Shamelessly stolen from P&B

Just watched the You Tube video of the penalties and it looks like Danny Wilson came over during the celebrations to congratulate the Inverness team. That was magnanimous and is a credit not only to Scottish but world football. An amazing gesture after a very difficult season and such a difficult end to the game for Hearts. An example to all football professionals.

Agree with previous comment about 9 men beating 12. Every time a Hearts player fell over they were awarded a free kick. Every time the Hearts fans squeeled we had a man booked or sent off. Shocking display from the home referee. With 11 men we didn't really play to our potential, but when we went down to 9 the remaining players became almost super human. Hughes got the substitutions spot on. Nick Ross had the best game of his career. He was the difference maker IMO. McKay took on the entire Hearts back 4 by himself and came away with the ball most of the time. Draper, Devine, Shinnie and Tremarco were absolute rocks at the back. What a performance. Deano commanding the box under pressure and saving 2 out of 4 penalties. A performance for the history books! When we lost the semi last season our confidence never really recovered, hopefully this result has the opposite effect and gives us a shot in the arm!

Tansey's bullet, Nick Ross's equaliser, Brill's penalty saves or Draper's nerves of steel - take your pick, but was yesterday the most memorable moment in ICT's short history? Of course, there are other contenders - the inaugural match after merger, various promotions, the Celtic 3-1 thrashing etc, etc. As a relative newcomer to the ICT scene, yesterday eclipsed my previous highlight of getting straight back up to the SPL a few years ago. Of course, all of this will be eclipsed when we win the final, but for now, this is the best for me! For debate....

Thought you guys night enjoy this pic doing the rounds between we Hibbys.

A wholehearted Very Well Done from Skaville. What a magnificent effort from your lads today in the face of adversity: the location and time of game, and especially the performance of the clown with the whistle. Thistle were by far the better team over the piece and imho Justice was done. Am absolutely delighted for you guys, and more than a tad envious. A national Cup Final doesn't come along too ofter for us "diddy" teams, but is certainly a day to be cherished. Best of luck in the Final - probably at Pittodrie, knowing the SPFL --- Enjoy your day out where ever it is.. Hope there's a few sare heids in Inverness tomorrow

I'll just leave this here - the glove that saved Hamill's penalty. Karma indeed:

This is the SFA rules we are dealing with, and you will do as they say or make up at any moment in time.

That was magnificent. To come from a goal and two men down to victory was titanic. It was effectively 9 men against 13 when you factor in the referee and Hearts 'home' advantage. I have had the misfortune to witness far too many poor refereeing performances in well over four decades of watching football but today's was quite the worst yet still we prevailed. Extra time was surreal. We were two men light yet were never seriously threatened. Testament to the energy and commitment of the players and the organisation of the coaching staff. Whilst Billy McKay may not have been at his clinically finishing best, I thought he was tireless today running for 120 minutes ploughing a lone furrow up front in extra time and still having the energy to blast an unstoppable penalty. An emotionally drained but immensely proud Caley Jaggy.... Hometown boy Nick Ross, whatever else you go on to do in your career you are now forever part of ICT folklore. A bold statement but given where we were after 94 minutes,this, in my view, is an even greater feat than Parkhead February 2000.

I thought we picked the right XI when I saw it - Ross has been inconsistent and Vincent, Tansey and Draper are all solid, expierenced players. I think Yogi thought we could impose ourselves on Hearts and run over the top of them. We started very well, dominating the midfield and pushing Hearts back - Draper had what looked like a great opportunity but he was stretching with his wrong foot and put it over. Hearts were trying to play on the counter and managed to mount some attacks but didn't really threaten us, at least in the initial stages. As the half got towards 20 minutes or so we stopped being effective and the game became scrappy in the middle. Our midfield three weren't on top of enough and Hearts kind of hustled and pushed their way into the game. They didn't really create any clear cut chances but had a couple of shots from distance, a header about two feet wide and got into some good positions. It was pretty frustrating for us not to be able to press home our early superiority but we managed to create a good opening for McKay, who tested McDonald from an angle towards the end of the half. We started the second half the way we did the first, on top and focusing most of our play down our right, where Watkins was very impressive. We were crossing the ball into the box but McKay couldn't buzz onto the end of much and it looked as though we weren't going to take advantage. That changed when Vincent tangled for the ball on the edge of the box and it rolled back to Tansey, who arrowed in a drive from 20 yards, a tremendous hit. It was the sort of the goal that Steven Gerrard scores, a peach. At that point we were in control and I would have backed us to go on and win. Hearts came back, which was inevitable, and pressured us. A clumsy collision between Shinnie and Warren (I think) put Hearts right midfielder clean in on goal but Brill made a great stop and the header was cleared off the line. However, shortly after that we were dealt a double blow when Warren was sent off for a second booking and after he trudged off the free kick was worked for Jamie Hamill to rattle it into the net. Yogi did the obvious and took off a winger for a centre half (Doran for Devine) but a minute or so later Hamill curled in a second free kick, a beauty into the top corner. It was absolutely gutting at this point for Caley fans. We hadn't played well but I think we had been the better side and to lose two goals and a man to set pieces was a massive blow. Personally, I was pretty despondant and didn't think we'd manage anything back. Meekings forced Hamill into a cracking save when he powered a header in from Tansey's corner and McKay also threatened with a header. We hadn't won a match from a losing position all season, I think, and I was basically resigned to defeat. The horrible feeling was compounded by shocking time wasting, diving and feigning by Hearts players. extremely frustrating to see. We pushed forward but weren't able to do anything and when we went down to nine men, when Meekings was red-carded for a trip to stop Hearts getting a breakaway I was certain we were for it. It wasn't a red card if you ask me, he tripped his opponent inside the Hearts half with players covering so it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity and it wasn't violent conduct, ie a kick. Our players were seething at it but it looked like we'd end the match howling at the injustice of it all and doing little else. Somehow we managed to get one last ball into the box and in the scramble Nick Ross, who'd actually done well when introduced I thought, squirmed the ball home past McDonald. It was a surreal moment, where I was sitting it looked like the ball was in the side netting and I thougth it was until Ross ran to our fans and someone launched a smoke bomb onto the pitch That was it for 90 minutes and we had the bizarre prospect of playing 30 minutes with nine men. We did this very well. Draper and Devine are about as makeshift a centre-back pairing as you could ask for but defended brilliantly, Draper was unorthodox but unpassable. We brought on Tremarco, who was solid and dangerous going forward, and then had Tansey, Ross, and Watkins sitting in the middle with McKay up front. We sat behind the ball and invited Hearts to test us, there isn't really much else to be done in this sort of situation. It was a strange spectacle, like a defence v attack training match. Hearts seemed burst from the equaliser and didn't offer much. Nick Ross and Billy McKay even managed to eke out a few half chances for us but we were going for penalties. It was noticeable that when the final whistle blew, Hearts players sank down but our players celebrated, we were the positive side mentally at this point. Shinnie hit a poor penalty but that was followed up by an equally pish one from the on-loan striker. Our following penalties from Tansey, Ross, McKay and Draper were perfect and it was Jamie Hammil, man of the match, two goal hero and 'streetwise professional', who had his saved bh Brill, a fantastic diving stretch. It was absolutely remarkable, an insane game. I wasn't drinking before it, or last night, and I just feel a buzz, I'm shaking even now. The only big, do-or-die game we've ever won was the Clyde match to secure promotion in 2004, we're the sort of side who ploughs thought rather than wins crunchers. It's just a remarkable achievement. I'm normally not someone to give this sort of thing too much credence but I thought our spirit carried us on today. To play with the discipline and control we did for thirty minutes and then to hold our nerve in the shoot-out was really driven by the togetherness of the group. We maybe should have beaten Hearts anyway, given our sides but we managed it because of how the team worked for each other and themselves I think.

From a very happy Hibby I just want to say thank you, thankyou, thankyou! Now go on and win it as rest assured the entire country will be wishing you well against the Dons. Your team team today were truly awesome.

You remember this? How? ;)

Just basking in the feeling - ain't much else that I can say - just wish that I really could bottle that feeling when Drapers penalty hit the net. And I now think I can appreciate mood swings a lot better too !!

One thing I noticed on Sunday and was reminded of when I saw the re-run. With our 2 central defenders red carded, Draper played extra time in central defence. After we won a free kick on the edge of the Hearts box toward the end of the first period, Draper came up for it and took up position in the box. As soon the play broke down, Draper sprinted to get back to his defensive duties. Draper is a big man and I thought that really epitomised the effort and commitment of the team. Top man!

Our captain fantastic Ambassador for ICT on BBC Radio Sportsound again this evening. He said we won the semi-final because we were the fittest team in the SPFL with the biggest `Hearts` in the SPFL and the best Dressing Room. He was PROUD ! Great 5 minutes or so listening.

When Nick scored the reaction was like nothing Ive ever witnessed, complete bedlam, it was beautiful.

The fact that it Hammil's spot kick that Deno saved was the icing on the cake..

Getting to our first major final means that yesterday was always going to be a special day. The manner in which it was achieved means that it was a legendary day!

Seeing the hearts players at FT and then when it went to penalties compared to our players was very interesting. When it went to pens Dean immediately ran out his goal towards the other players. The hearts players were just lying on the ground. That was when I thought we've got this!

A wee bit of credit to Yogi too !!!! Here we are, Tansey scores and Hearts look like they may start to fall to pieces if we can get another. We look good. 12 minutes later and its all gone pear-shaped !!! Gary Warren gets a second booking for a tackle that Marley Watkins actually put in. Its doubtful if it was even a yellow (for Watkins) but John Cheaton (oops Beaton) decides its serious enough for a second yellow for Warren (ludicrous decision). Hamill equalises from the resultant free kick courtesy of a wicked deflection. 2 minutes later Hamill hits a very sweet strike to make it 2-1 and try as we might we cant get back into it. A couple of minutes from 'the end' Yogi throws the dice and brings on Nick but loses Meekings to a very soft red. He is clearly frustrated and may have tripped the player up but no way it was serious foul play or a straight red card - a yellow at best - and I would have said that even if it was a Hearts player doing the fouling. (yet another ludicrous decision). So ICT down to 9 men, into injury time and with the ref clearly having a howler (I dont think he was biased just crap!!!). Billy had a chance before the end but was scythed down (no card ref?) but up pops Nick to get us back into it. I cant remember what game it was, but I think Nick had a similar impact before? (snatching a win or a draw at the death) So credit to Nick for getting the goal. Credit to Yogi for the 'inspired substitution', and credit to each and every one of the players for holding out for another 30 minutes against the Hearts 11 and the officials and for then winning it on penalties. A real team effort with everyone a star !

The best 35 min of Nick Ross's career yesterday. His composure was outstanding and his penalty was a rocket! Couldn't be happier for the lad! Now a legend for his 95th minute equaliser....

For all the praise being rightly heaped on the players after that astonishing match, I think it is reasonable to ask why, with such a good all round team performance, we didn't win the match comfortably in normal time against what was not the greatest of Hearts sides. From the start, things looked good. I thought Yogi had the team selection spot on and we started out very strongly. But things just didn't go our way. Had Draper taken his early opportunity I think that team would have over-run Hearts, but bit by bit it began to look as though it might not be our day. We were unable to convert our chances and it was evident that the referee was the joker in the pack. Robinson's foul on Mckay should have been a straight red but only a yellow was shown. The next yellow was for Watkins despite several worse fouls from Hearts players having gone unpunished. Hearts confidence grew and they came more and more into the match although we always looked the better side and the more likely to score. We then got the break with a wonder strike from Tansey and that really should have been that, But the referee intervened with the inexplicable sending off of Warren and Hearts got lucky with the resulting free kick which seemed to deflect off both Tansey and Draper to give Brill no chance. The rest is history. On another day and with a half decent referee, that starting eleven would have taken Hearts apart. The way the game unfolded and the incredible performance after going down to 9 men gives me a lovely warm glow and makes me really proud of the team, but what is also extremely pleasing is that yesterday shows we now have a very solid team that really should be able to compete with Aberdeen and Motherwell for 2nd and 3rd place. One thing that has been lacking is goals from midfield and if others can take a lead from Tansey and shoot from distance as if they mean it, we will score more from that quarter which, in turn will take the pressure off Billy. Yesterday was not just a remarkable football match which will last long in the memory, it was the day which demonstrated we now have a team, with Yogi at the helm, which will take us onward and upward.

That's a very good point. Whilst part of me wondered that by taking it to ET with 9 men we might end up with the final score showing as 4 or 5-2 instead of 2-1, the way our players celebrated the equaliser showed that they weren't thinking that way at all. I also wonder if, having rescheduled their St Mirren game to get Stevenson available for the semi, Hearts got their comeuppance in extra time with more fatigue than they should have had.

Billy's work when we were down to 9 was absolutely fantastic. And Dean's save at the start of extra time - oh my!

Shamelessly stolen from P&B Aye karma is a bitch right enuff ha ha

Well done Hope you guys get a decent venue for the final, would be well chuffed if I.C.T win this. All the best

Great day for a club that balances it books and seemingly has to fight against the odds to gain respect from the Scottish football fraternity. Maybe one day the media, authorities and other fans will start to give us the credit we deserve. TogetherNess.

I have been reliably assured by Neil Doncaster in person that the venue will be entirely neutral to both teams. He was pleased that Pittodrie would be available due to the home team not playing a league game that weekend.

Still trying to climb back down from the clouds. Such a spirited, legendary and inspirational performance from everyone of those boys out there. Rasper from Tansey and then after disaster struck we just kept plugging away. When Meekings got sent off (disgusting decision) I really thought that was it but as my Mother always says when its your day, its your day and when Nicky boy bundled in that equalizer I raced around the away end like a maddy, balling my eyes out like a wee bairn but I didnt care. The dream was all but snatched away and suddenly it became possible again. Extra time lasted an eternity but after Brill made that save at the start of it we held firm, kept the 4-3-1 formation firm (as ridiculous as it sounds) and in some respects were unlucky not to snatch the win. The penalties were well dispatched by all, Shinnie was unlucky with McDonald saving his well. Deano made 2 fantastic stops, in particular from Hammill wihich was a satisfying moment for all of us as we tolerated his taunts and time wasting throughout the game...turd! When Draper calmly tucked his away everyone just went mental, such a buzz and one I will never forget. Was a great experience being able to share it with friends and family alike was something special. Everyone of those boys that played out that half hour are legends and Yogi can happily brag being the first manager to guide an ICT team to a major final. Roll on 16th March!

Who is all going then? Me with a few other mad folk on a minibus for starters!

It was a joke!

Oh dear! Ha Ha Ha

Great to see a local boy who has come through our youth programme score the winner in such an important game. I hope he has a good future in the game. Ross, Polworth, Christie and in previous years Munro & Fraser ....... not a bad return for so little investment.

The annoying thing is that both Warren's yellows were ridiculous. The first was soft, and the second was a foul by Watkins, but then if Watkins had got booked for it he'd have been of instead. Didn't have a problem with Watkin's booking, he tripped the guy who had got away from him.

I can't recall being in a crowd that has gone that mad when we've scored. From a very quick think about it I would say that the 3-3 v County and the 4-3 game v Raith when Foran scored in the last minute. I'm sure there'll be others.

Haya Jamie Hamill... Shhhhh!

My hero! And had the pleasure of telling him that at the social club last night!

Could not agree more. He came of age yesterday for me, and I'm sure it will only do his confidence good for the future.

Agree with all of that. I was rather dubious when I saw that he was our last throw of the dice on 88 mins, but we rolled a double six and it was definitely his finest hour.

I imagine they'll be grateful.

One interesting point is that 9 versus 11 actually worked in our favour because Hearts always seemed to provide 4 markers for Billy. That meant we had 8 ICT players against 7 Hearts players and has resulted in significant abuse by the Jambos for both Locke and Brown. Billy was actually quite remarkable as a team player because he held the ball up so well for the 126 minutes and worked his socks off as did every player. Having seen the tackle on him in the first 5 minutes, I find it a dreadful career threatening one which only seemed to draw a yellow when we complained. We were Beaton by the referee, but not by nature.

I know I'm replying to you with an 11 hour delay George, but F*** right off, and please post a picture and your address.

Not a steal at all! I am more than happy to donate it. (Come to think of it, the title was Dougie McGilvray's idea anyway!)

Pwoud, vewwy pwoud and quite pished. That was right up there with the best of the pele years. Caley100 got Deano's glove and we've all been getting photos with it in the Iona.

Fer fecks sake we will NOT need penalties.