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🏆 League1 Champions 🏆 The Caley Jags are off to the Championship after beating Hamilton Accies 2-1 in front of over 5000 raucous fans at the Caledonian Stadium. An early strike from Captain Danny Devine in the third minute settled the nerves and an absolute club legend Billy Mckay added a second before half an hour to up the volume in the stadium. I spoke to Billy at East Fife and he assured me they would get the job done this week. What a legend. Accies scored a late goal through Kevin O'Hara and we had an extra late drama when they were awarded a penalty. However Ross Munro pulled off a tremendous diving save to deny Oli Shaw and that was the cue for an enthusiastic but premature pitch invasion. About fifteen minutes later the game resumed for a handful of seconds before referee Chris Graham called a halt and the real pitch invasion started. Credit to Stenhousemuir for giving it a real go all season, good luck in the play-offs. Full report and match reaction tomorrow. We have some celebrating to do now. 🍺 The Main Stand and the North Stand were packed out as the the teams took to the pitch for hopefully the final time this season. Would we take the game to Accies or would we play a cagey game like we did at East Fife the previous week? That question would be answered in the third minute when Captain Danny Devine crashed Paul Allan's corner kick high into the net in front of the Hamilton fans to set the scene for the afternoon with the home fans loving this early advantage. Inverness were in control of the early stages with the bulk of the game being played in the Accies third of the pitch with MacKinnon and Wotherspoon prominent and Billy Mckay rolling back the years as he buzzed around the front line. Alfie Bavidge was also running the channels and using his pace to good effect. Accies were restricted to shooting from range, not necessarily on target with Ross Munro idle for the most part. The pressure was mounting on the visitors with a number of blocked efforts keeping the score down, but nobody was on hand to stop club legend Billy Mckay scoring after great work on the left side through Wotherspoon and Mitchell Robertson whose cross into the box was finished by Billy, his 132nd goal for this club. That ramped up the volume in the stands, however we all held our breath when the ball got stuck under Devine's feet as he tried to get the ball back to Munro. Thankfully the keeper managed to get to the ball in the nick of time to dribble his way out of danger and keep us two ahead at the break. Alas Danny's game was over before the break as he was unable to continue after an earlier knock and he limped off to be replaced by Oscar MacIntyre with Robertson moving inside to centre back. HALF TIME: 2-0 Accies looked sharper after a torrid first half and pressed Inverness higher up the park without really troubling Munro. We blocked a couple of attempts in the first few minutes of the second half as we seemed content to hold what we had and in truth, the game lost it's sparkle and deteriorated into a dire midfield battle. Ross Millen had an effort saved before the substitutes flowed from both sides. We did force four corners in quick succession but it ended with the ball holding up in the breeze and going behind. Millen hit a fierce shot just wide as we looked to kill off the game and the best chance of the second half saw Alfie Stewart head wide after a great ball in from the left. The game was untidy over the final fifteen minutes but there was late drama when Kevin O'Hara scored after we conceded one too many free kicks allowing Accies to get the ball into our box all too often for my liking. Ahh well, so be it. However, there was further drama when we were all waiting for the final whistle to blow. Millen was adjudged to have tripped Oli Shaw who took the spot kick himself. As befits champions, Ross Munro pulled off a great save to his right and that triggered a spontaneous pitch invasion from the over eager young team. It took a while to clear a thousand or so from the playing surface before the game restarted. It was barely worth restarting and the game was brought to a halt seconds later to start invasion number two, this time in earnest as jubilant fans celebrated on the park with players. FULL TIME: 2-1 It's been a long season, coming from five points behind as we set out to win the title. Thirty-six League1 games later and add on four League Cup ties, two Scottish Cup ties and eleven KDM trophy games, it's been quite a journey. Not to mention seven pre-season encounters and a testimonial plus three North of Scotland Cup ties then it really has been a wonderful season after all the trauma we have come through under our previous failed regime. Think that is 64 games negotiated and Previewed and Reported here on CTO. Statue for Savage incoming. Well done to everyone concerned at the club and to the fanbase for producing a brilliant atmosphere throughout our season, especially in the final game. The Supporters Bus organisers, the Wyness Shuffle podcasters, and a massive well done to George Moodie and Supporters Trust for the huge improvements in the matchday experience. No doubt I've missed some out, apologies for that, but a huge thanks on here to Scotty for keeping this site going and to IBM for keeping all the stats up to date. There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes on CTO and it really is much appreciated. CHAMPIONS 🎥 Innes Mackay Great wee double act 👏 ICTFC HIGHLIGHTS Date: 02/04/2026 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 5029 Referee: Chris Graham Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; Millen, Devine (McIntyre 49), Savage, Robertson, Allan, MacKinnon (MacLeod 72), Stewart, Wotherspoon (Brannan 80), Bavidge, B Mckay (Zimba (80)) Subs (not used): Ross; Chalmers, Alonge, Willox, Longstaff. Scorers: Devine (3), B Mckay (26) Booked: Bavidge (58) Sent Off: none Hamilton Accies: 1 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Lane; Hutton, Smutek (Shiels 85), Kilday (Hendrie 84), Gallacher, McKinstry, Newbury, Simpson (Crookston 68), O'Hara, MacDonald, Shaw Subs (not used): Cameron, Forrest, Morgan, Stafford Scorers: O'Hara (85) Booked: Hutton (77) Sent Off: none

Shameful It has come to light in the aftermath of the disrespectful treatment of a Club Legend that all is not well behind the scenes at the Caley Jags. It took another former player Shane Sutherland to highlight the plight of a great servant to the Caley Jags when he opened up a Go Fund Me page to support Aaron Doran who it appears had been let down by the very club he gave his all to for nearly fourteen years. Unfortunately Aaron had suffered a few career threatening injuries whilst playing for Inverness and that somewhat curtailed his appearances. Nonetheless, he still made 392 or 393 appearances for the club right up until he was seriously injured in a televised game at the Caledonian Stadium against Raith Rovers, twenty minutes in, and our third last game of the regular 2023-2024 season. Full Name: Aaron Brian Doran Cogan Born: May 13th, 1991 (Charleville, County Cork, Ireland) Height: 5' 7 Position: Winger Signed: January 25th, 2011 First Manager: Terry Butcher Left Club: June 10th, 2024 Career Stats: 392 appearances, 57 goals (we might have lost a game somewhere) Debut (as sub): January 26th, 2011 - Inverness CT 0 - 2 Aberdeen (League) Full Debut: February 5th, 2011 - 5 - 1 Morton (Scottish Cup - Rd 5) First Goal: February 12th, 2011 - St. Mirren 3 - 3 Inverness CT (League) Thanks to Shane Sutherland, the generosity of friends, fans, former colleagues and opponents, Aaron has now had his operation. However it has emerged that he had posted on Instagram regarding his sad dismissal and treatment from the Board of Inverness CT who have treated Aaron in a similar way to which they have been treating the fans. Let's not forget that Aaron was due to have a testimonial for his service to the club. It is the opinion of all on CTO that Aaron deserved better treatment than the silence he and others have been subjected to. We all understand there is a lot going on behind the scenes, but surely a shred of human decency could have been allocated to Aaron to support him better throughout this process. The general malaise emanating from within the Caledonian Stadium is one which many supporters find difficult to comprehend and it will take years to repair the damage being done to the brand right now. It's almost as if the Horizon System has been installed at the Caledonian Stadium over the last nine years. You would think that George Thomson was in charge... Here's a great memory for Aaron recreated by the talented local artist Sophie Robb as he holds the Scottish Cup. A Scottish Cup winner with the Caley Jags, the highlight of his career here. What a sublime pass threaded through to Marley Watkins to open the scoring in the 2-1 win over Falkirk in 2015. We are right behind you Aaron! Another way to help Aaron is through Robbo's fundraiser for his re-hab (that's Aaron's re-hab) The Prize Up for grabs is a really unique piece of Scottish football memorabilia, a Scotland top made for John Robertson with his name on the back. So why is this rare? Squad numbers didn't come into force domestically in Scotland until season 1998/1999 by which time Robbo had left Hearts for Livingston so no domestic jersey ever had his name on the back

The Day Football Died It was third time lucky for Inverness as they reached their first Scottish Cup final after beating treble chasing Celtic in extra time at Hampden Park. Sadly other events since then have overtaken the wonderful achievements of Yogi and his men. The game was not without controversy. Five goals, penalties, or not penalties, a crucial sending off and a tremendous display by the men from the North was just enough to tip the scales in favour of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. At the end of the day, one song was lingering in the head: It's all about the Ness, no treble! Great weather greeted the fans at Hampden and Inverness were as expected. Ryan Esson replaced the injured Dean Brill. Danny Williams was back in the starting X1 and big Edward Ofere would be the target man. Celtic were without the suspended Anthony Stokes, and Gary Mackay-Stevens and Stuart Armstrong were cup-tied. They did though field a potent attacking threat with Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons starting with John Guidetti on the bench. From the kick off, Inverness got quickly into their stride and took the game to their more illustrious opponents, moving the ball around with precision and pace. Celtic found it difficult to get a hold of the ball in the first ten minutes as Inverness kept possession without any real threat. That changed though just after ten minutes into the game when Celtic broke forward. Nir Bitton latched onto a loose ball 25 yards out and his sweetly timed tackle/shot smacked off the woodwork with Esson beaten. A bolt from the blue, and a lucky escape for Inverness who had dominated the proceeding thus far. Celtic had woken up and Inverness were pushed onto the back foot as the Glasgow club surged forward. Ryan Esson saved well, diving full length to his left to push away a fierce Griffiths shot from thirty yards. Gary Warren was booked for pulling back James Forrest as he cut across the face of the box, a card that will see him miss a major final once more. From the resultant free kick, Virgil van Dijk lashed an unstoppable shot high past Esson from 22 yards and in off the top of the post. A spectacular opening goal, but there would be better to come. Ofere missed the best chance of the game after a Greg Tansey corner. Similar to his goal against Celtic in the league, the ball broke to him some eight yards out but he could not wrap his foot round it properly and this time his shot bounced down and then up over the bar. A warning to Celtic that we were still in the game. Esson stood up well as Celtic countered through the middle and Johansen stung his palms with a fierce shot that was beaten away, another important save from the stand in keeper. Greg Tansey was mugged on the halfway line as Celtic stormed forward again looking to add a second before the break. Forrest sprinted forward and fed Johansen on the left side of the box. His shot was deflected away from goal by Esson. The ball fell nicely for Griffiths who headed strongly goalwards, but the ball seemed to come of the hand of Josh Meekings who was no more than four feet from the head of Griffiths. Amazingly, the only people that never saw this were the officials who waved play on. I'm not as convinced as Celtic that this was intentional. I'm sure they will write a letter of complaint though. That was about the last action of a frenetic first half and Inverness were still within one goal of the treble chasers. Half Time 0-1 No changes at the break and Inverness started the second period with confidence once more, and Ofere was too high with a corner. At the other end Forrest went wide with a shot that Esson watched carefully. Ten minutes after the break and Inverness drew level. No doubt about the penalty and sending off for Craig Gordon. Watkins raced through on goal outmuscling Welsh international Adam Mathews. As the ball got touched back towards Gordon, Watkins got there first but the big keeper went right through him and red card it was. Tansey remained the coolest man on the park as Lukasz Zaluska put on the gloves. He took his time and waited for the keeper to make his move before directing the ball in the opposite direction and into the vacant net. Game on! James Forrest was the man sacrificed as Celtic made the change at the sending off, a blessing for Inverness and in particular David Raven who had been getting a tough time of it from the Celtic wide player. Could this mean that Raven might get further forward now? More on that later in the report. The ninety minutes produced no more goals and the game moved into extra time. 1-1 after 90 mins The game was now stretched and it ebbed and flowed, Inverness sharing the bulk of the possession. Johansen tried to catch Esson off his line, but he back pedalled and tipped the forty yard flighted shot over the bar. Inverness surged to the other end and Ryan Christie danced his way into the box and it took a fantastic save from the substitute keeper to deny Christie a goal after his thumping 16 yard shot was clawed away. Inverness were now enjoying their best spell of the game and when they worked the ball down the left, the ever willing Graeme Shinnie curled a ball into the box. Watkins brought the ball down and it broke kindly for Ofere, who steadied himself before firing a low ball to the keepers left with sufficient power to find the back of the net. Celtic were stung by this and when they got a free kick thirty yards out it didn't look like it would be a major problem. Guidetti struck it well and the ball whistled goalwards. It landed in front of Esson and he misjudged the bounce as it spun over his despairing arms and into the net. He won't want to see that one again, such a shame after a commanding performance up to that point. The second period of extra time showed that the referee's were once again flawed. Zaluskas barged into the back of Ofere and completely flattened him. I hope the compliance officer was watching. The ball was cushioned down for Nick Ross, but he half volleyed over with the goal gaping. With five minutes of extra time left, Inverness scored the decisive third goal to end Celtic's treble hopes. And what a goal it was too. Nick Ross battled to retrieve the ball outside the Celtic box. Aided by Marley Watkins, Ross got the ball back and threaded a great ball into the box where Shinnie left two defenders standing before rifling the ball across the goalmouth. David Raven made a great run to get on the end of it and still had plenty to do. He did it like a seasoned striker though, guiding the ball firmly into the net for what proved to be the winner before running round the back to celebrate with Shinnie who came round the other side. We played out the remaining minutes fairly comfortably and deservedly won the game, but committed the cardinal sin of denying Celtic Football club the chance to win the treble. AET 3-2 He might be going to Aberdeen, but Graeme Shinnie was captain marvel. He was everywhere and the driving force behind what was a fantastic team effort. He was my MotM and it is pretty unanimous on CTO that he gets the nod. There were no failures in this performance, everyone played their part. Watkins looked revitalised and Warren and Meekings ensured that we restricted Celtic to taking long pot shots. David Raven only scores important goals. His last one for us was in a derby win at Dingwall, this one surpassed that. Ryan Esson was outstanding, despite the blip for the second goal. Edward Ofere led the line well and his hold up play was excellent. Ryan Christie came into the game more after half time and was inspirational. This kid is going places. Can't fault anyone after that display to be honest. Sorry for ruining your treble Remember, you can access audio's with some of the Caley Jags players after the Hampden Park game right here https://www.facebook.com/ICTFC?fref=ts on the Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC facebook page. Scenes of joy at full time would remain with those fans for a couple of days at least before Celtic would write their letter of complaint and the SFA would buckle at the knees by pandering to the needs of the majority. It's now official, the SFA are the laughing stock of football and should hang their heads in shame, brought about by the incompetence of their own officials. Josh Meekings has incredibly been cited by the compliance officer who feels the need to punish him because Celtic can't take defeat without dragging everyone else through the mud. They have short memories and if this goes through, then football, as we know it has just ended. Instead of Inverness enjoying the greatest moment in their history, controversy has overtaken the scenes of joy and instead of celebrating a wonderful performance, it might be better known as the day football died. RIP football, 19/04/2015. Date: 19/04/15 Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance: 28643 Referee: Steven McLean Inverness CT: 3 Lineup: Esson, Raven, Shinnie, Meekings, Warren, Draper, Tansey, Watkins, Williams (Ross 73), Christie, Ofere Subs (not used): Mackay, Vincent, Doran, Tremarco, Polworth, Kink Scorers: Tansey (pen.58), Ofere (96), Raven (117) Booked: Warren (17), Williams (66), Ross (102), Watkins (105) Sent Off: none Celtic: 2 Lineup: Gordon, Matthews, Izaguirre, Van Dijk, Denayer, Biton, Brown, Commons (Tonev 90), Johansen, Forrest (Zaluska 56), Griffiths (Guidetti 98) Subs (not used): Ambrose, Scepovic, McGregor, Tierney Scorers: Van Dijk (17), Giudettit (103) Booked: Brown (20), Tonev (97) Sent Off: Gordon (55)

Thistle be the day Draw specialists Inverness head to Firhill on Saturday to take on Partick Thistle in the Championship. Last weeks draw against Ross County was the seventh in a row and that extended the unbeaten run to a record twenty-three games. It wasn't for the want of trying in the derby but few watching could be disappointed in the manner with which we applied ourselves and we were unfortunate not to take all three points. Caley Stan has checked out the opposition and he has this informative preview for us........... On my way home from Waitrose the other day, I stopped for a coffee in Artisan Roast Stockbridge and quietly pondered some way to construct an opening to this preview that included a disparaging reference to Partick Thistle fans’ middle-class, hipster, bohemian, pseudo-intellectual pretensions, when who should appear out of the Mellis Cheesemonger sporting the famous red and yellow hoops, but The Hoff himself. Beyond parody. Hassellhoff has previously sought to justify his support for Thistle on the grounds that they represent something beyond geographical or tribal identity, and they must have picked up a few fans over the years by simple virtue of not being Rangers or Celtic. But with attendances at Firhill starting to sink below the 3,000 mark, I suspect we won’t see many of those folk tomorrow. I might be wrong, but I assume most Partick Thistle fans, like the rest of us, identify with the club because they grew up near the ground, or their dad came from round there. One thing’s for sure, they’re not glory hunters. With just two major honours to show in a 142-year history (the 1921 Scottish Cup, and the 1971 League Cup), they haven’t been in a major final for sixty years. This is particularly surprising when you consider that they played in the top league for most of the 20th Century, never experiencing a sustained period in the second tier until the late 1980’s. History of the Fixture Won 11 Drawn 10 Lost 13 The teams first met in the opening game of the 1998/99 Second Division season. The Maryhill club were playing in the third tier for the first time in their history, and we came into it off the back of a mid-table debut season at that level. It was a tense affair with one moment of true quality on the hour mark when a delightful through ball from Charlie Christie was buried from an acute angle by Barry Wilson. We rode our luck for the reminder of the game, Jim Calder making a number of decent saves, and departed to a stream of Highlandphobic abuse from a home support whose club had just reached a new low. Their true nadir was to come later in that season when they avoided another relegation by a single point. Meanwhile, we were promoted comfortably, winning 3 of the 4 games against them in the process. It was another 2 years before we saw Partick again, and by the end of that 2001/02 season we were glad to see the back of them as they ruthlessly re-established themselves as Scotland’s premier Thistle, winning 3 out of the 4 league games with our solitary victory coming after they had already won the First Division. We also played them in both cups, coming out on top in the League Cup 2nd Round in Inverness on penalties after a 3-3 draw – Barry Robson notching a double and scoring the winning penalty. But it was the was Scottish Cup Quarter-Final of that season that will be remembered most of all. These were the biggest games the fixture has seen, with a crowd of 8,700 taking in the 2-2 draw at Firhill and over 5,000 attending the replay despite the SFA’s controversial decision to stage the game underwater. Maryhill Mod Scott Paterson scored the only goal, a decent free-kick in fairness, though I’d like to see Nicky Walker’s starting position. After a brief skirmish in the Court of Session in the summer of 2004, the clubs reconvened on the pitch for the 4th Round of the 2005/06 Scottish Cup. The tables had turned once again, we were enjoying a second season in the SPL while they were back in the third tier after successive relegations. They came up to Inverness and kicked us off the park before Mark Roberts scored an underserved equaliser with a 93rd minute penalty that he had dived to win. The replay was turgid, on TV, and we went out on penalties. The next meeting, another 4th Round Scottish Cup tie in 2009, saw a very different Caley team run out 3-0 home winners – Felipe Morais scoring a double. That stands out as a very strange result in retrospect – Partick were having a decent season in the First Division, and we were coming into it off the back of six straight league defeats – it was the week before ‘shoes off’, a seventh defeat at Hamilton, and the final departure of Craig Brewster. The following season we shared a league for the first time in eight years, losing the first two and winning the second two in line with our form that year, and Partick joined us in the top flight for four years in 2013. Over that spell we won just two of the thirteen league ties between the sides, despite finishing above them in three of the four seasons, and, of course, knocking them out in the 5th Round of the 2014/15 Scottish Cup……. Teams and Tactics Partick Thistle fans seem to have given up trying to analyse performances recently and spend their time online howling for players to be removed/imprisoned/murdered etc. so it’s been tricky to work out how they line up. From what I can gather, Caldwell’s been playing some kind of 4-5-1. The persistence with a misfiring Miles Storey has been a particular source of frustration, while a recent injury to Kris Doolan has given opportunities to Jai Quitongo and our old friend Andrea Mutumbo, with neither making much of an impact. Robbo has persisted with the 4-2-3-1, although he’s always keen to bring on a second striker and go more direct when we’re not creating. With Oakley and Austin now fit, he may find it increasingly tempting to return to the shape that he started the season with. The termination of Riccardo Calder’s contract and the ongoing absence of Carl Tremarco with a thigh injury leaves us without an experienced left back for tomorrow’s game. Joe Chalmers has played there before, but it wasn’t pretty, and Cameron Harper’s first team experience is limited to a farcical four-minute appearance at East End Park following a team-sheet error. Robbo has stated in the past that he feels Harper is ready to step in if needed, but in the aftermath of Calder’s dismissal this week, he suggested that the club may look to recruit a free agent to cover the position. Shaun Rooney has not recovered from the knock that forced him off in the derby. The Riccardo Calder situation has been dealt with by the club and they released This Statement. In effect Riccardo has left the building. The Official Site has a Preview with more detail and Robbo chat..... League Form Thistle: LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Thistle: DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Prediction: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

One step Closer This was the ninth meeting between these two sides and the most crucial given what was at stake for both teams. For the Caley Jags, they are focussed on one thing, promotion, and the result at Cove v Stenhousemuir will be secondmost on their minds. Kelty will be fully committed to the task in hand whilst keeping an eye on events at Cove and Montrose v Accies where their closest relegation rivals will be battling for points. It was a tight affair as we suspected and it took an own goal to separate the sides after a less than impressive first half in the swirling conditions. It happened at the far end and it took a while to decide but the goal has been credited to Alex Ferguson following a corner. (Bet he wishes he had stayed at Manchester United) Who knows, we never had binoculars. The goal followed on from the best effort of the game so far when Kyle Gourlay denied Adam MacKinnon with a great low save in the bottom corner, the result was a Paul Allan corner kick to Inverness. The rest is history. That's how it ended with little goalmouth action although Kelty came close with a shot from distance that curled just wide of the top corner. Phew! That was the closest they came and a big warning to us. With Stenhousemuir losing at Cove and Accies winning at Montrose, promotion and relegation have become a little clearer but nothing finalised yet with only two games remaining. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A chilly afternoon on the Moray Firth greeted the teams with April showers and blustery winds forecast for the afternoon and Kelty meant business by changing ends before kick-off. Full report to follow but to be honest, the first half was tense and dull where virtually nothing happened. An early warning for us as we had to clear one away yards from goal and a similar effort for us at the other end. A Zimba effort held by Kyle Gourlay was the only moment of note in a terrible first forty-five. Maybe the swirling wind had something to do with it but it was a total non event. The pace improved after the break but like Talking Heads, it was still tense and nervous, we can't relax... The introduction of MacIntyre and Longstaff at the interval gave us more width and it seemed to inject a bit more life about proceedings but still not exactly a riot like we showed at Peterhead. Lewis Moore had an effort saved comfortably by Ross Munro before it took the introduction of MacKinnon to put the final piece of the jigsaw in place and he was instrumental in bringing about the only goal of the game. At last we saw some good build up play and MacKinnon's shot was well saved by Gourlay just inside the post at the expense of a corner. Not for the first time this season, Paul Allan's inswinging corner landed right on top of the goalline and it looked like the ball has come off Alex Ferguson before entering the net. Pin point accuracy from Allan and just the break we needed although Allan is still trying to clam the goal. Not a game for taking unnecessary risks and our defence limited Kelty to very few opportunities, one of those a shot that whistled close to the junction of crossbar and post. That was a timely reminder we still had work to do as Bavidge headed over and Longstaff skied one after good interplay outside the box. As they have done most of the season, our defence stood firm with Kelty not looking likely to get back on level terms and it was a massive three points combined with the news that Stenhousemuir had been beaten 2-0 at Cove. FULL TIME: 1-0 Pos Team Pld Gd Pts ICTFC 34 35 65 Stenny 34 20 61 7 Cove 34 -5 34 8 E Fife 34 -27 34 Accies 34 11 31 ☹️ Kelty 34 -29 26 It's not very clear but appears to be an og. Either way a massive 3points Inverness CT 65pts THE RUN IN Stenhousemuir 61pts ICTFC 1-0 Kelty Hearts 18th April @15:00 Cove 2-0 STENNY East Fife v ICTFC 25th April @15:00 STENNY v Alloa ICTFC v Accies 2nd May @15:00 Montrose v STENNY Footage from Kelty Hearts Date: 18/04/2026 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2405 Referee: Colin Steven Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; Millen, Devine, Savage, Robertson (MacIntyre 46), MacLeod, Allan, Stewart (MacKinnon 56), Alonge (Longstaff 46), Bavidge (B Mckay 89), Zimba (Wotherspoon 77) Subs (not used): Ross; Brannan, Willox, Chalmers Scorers: Ferguson (61 og) Booked: MacKinnon (90+1) Sent Off: none Kelty Hearts: 0 Manager: Thomas O'Ware Lineup: Gourlay; Pettifer (Cunningham 76), Brydon, Corr (Wylie 65), Fisher, Ferguson, Moore, Arnott (Murray 64), Cooper (Graham 76), McCarvel, Davidson Subs (not used): Adamson; Leitch, Snoddy, Thomas Scorers: none Booked: Ferguson (78) Sent Off: none

Into the Black The two teams that got off to the best start last weekend met at the newly Christened SarensPSG Stadium but they start the day at opposite ends of the table due to our five point deduction in the aftermath of administration. Scott Kellacher had the pleasant dilemma of choosing his squad on merit rather than who is fit although Ross Millen, Adam MacKinnon and Jake Davidson require more time with Doc Proc before getting back on the pitch. Paul Allan made the bench. Peterhead have put together a decent squad full of Eastern promise with a few ex-Dons in their squad and plenty of experience in there as well. Peter Pawlett was injured last week and missed out, but Jack Newman, Cammy Smith, Jason Brown all started. The Caley Jags took a deserved lead as half time approached, the tenacity and quality of Wotherspoon on the end of a superb move. Liam Sole added a second ten minutes into the second period and that ended the scoring. Alas he went off injured soon after and with that the game went into a bit of a lull as the hosts recorded their second win to climb into positive points with Peterhead rarely troubling the home goal. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A blustery afternoon that had already seen off the Moy Game Fair greeted the sides as the game got underway, the Caley Jags shooting towards the North Stand. A bright opening for the hosts put Peterhead on the back foot from the off. Although we dominated possession, Jack Newman was underworked in the visitors goal. Alfie Stewart brought out a great save from him after half an hour with a ferocious twenty-five yarder, the keeper flying high across goal to deny the wee man. The opening goal came five minutes before the break and it was a well worked move finished of by Wotherspoon. The set up was superb from Billy Mckay chesting an Alfie Stewart through ball down before laying it out wide for Oscar McIntyre to drill a low ball into the six yard box where Spoony did brilliantly to turn the ball into the net at the front post. We almost added a second but Newman saved brilliantly to deny Spoony with an acrobatic save. HALF TIME: 1-0 Liam Sole knocked in a second in the fifty-fifth minute after a Longstaff shot had been blocked by the keeper or the post but unfortunately Sole limped off injured minutes later. Enter Alfie Bavidge and it wasn't long before he was in action dragging a shot wide after a good run to the box, cutting in from the left. He then combined with Billy Mckay but the veteran striker saw Newman tip his shot over. The final twenty was a bit of a lull with Inverness in total control. A late cross from the left saw the ball strike a defender and bounced close to the base of the post and out for a corner and with the home feet off the throttle another snippet for a consolation was drilled wide when Carnwath really should have made the keeper work. FULL TIME: 2-0 Good result for the Caley Jags who dominated proceedings against a Peterhead side who came to park the bus. The referee was over officious and pedantic and constantly stopped play for the slightest of things making the second half duller than it should have been. Newman kept it close with two or three excellent saves whilst Ross Munro could have sat in the stand or gone for a coffee. Bottom line is that we are into positive figures so it's onwards and upwards from here. Accies and Alloa are the front runners on six points. On CTO: Bookings were ridiculous apart from Longstaff's. Poor poor referee who virtually decided every tackle was a foul especially when the Peterhead players shouted in agony. Easily one of the worst referees that has been here and that's saying something. Sterner tests to come surely but can only beat what’s in front of us and we have done so impressively thus far. Not often pre-season optimism stretches to three matches…and the aforementioned players still to come back…not felt this good about football for a long time…thank you Alan Savage, management & players for getting everything so sorted from the mess we were in I see Peter Reid got his Volvo sold! ⚽️️ The goals from yesterday’s 2-0 win against Peterhead 🙌 David Wotherspoon with a smart finish to open the scoring 💪 Liam Sole with his first goal for the club Honest assessment from Peterhead's Ryan Strachan Date: 09/08/2025 Venue: Caledonian SarensPSG Stadium Attendance: 2078 Referee: Iain Snedden Inverness CT: 2Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, McIntyre, Longstaff, Stewart (Allan 60), Chalmers, Sole (Bavidge 61), Wotherspoon (Alonge 93), B Mckay (Zimba 88) Subs (not used): Ross; Clark, Strachan, Robertson, R Thompson Scorers: Wotherspoon (39), Sole (55) Booked: Sole (15), Longstaff (81), Savage (83) Sent Off: none Peterhead: 0Manager: Jordon Brown Lineup: Newman; Strachan, Jason Brown, Wilson, Trialist, C Smith (Ross 60), Forrest, McCarthy (Carnwath 82), Barry (McGinn 71), Jack Brown (McGuffie 60), Shanks (Colotty 71) Subs (not used): Oluyemi; Mackie Scorers: none Booked: McCarthy (36) Sent Off: none

Hey big spenders We're back! The season begins on Saturday with the group stages of the League Cup. This season it's known as the Premier Sports Cup and Inverness travel to the artificial surface of New Central Park, Bath Street, to take on newly promoted Kelty Hearts in a Group G encounter. The 'Maroons' have a good mix of seasoned professionals and some exciting emerging talent and that saw them promoted to League One last season as Champions with five games of the season still to play. Tempted by the generous wage income were seasoned campaigners like Kallum Higginbotham, Joe Cardle, Michael Tidser Thomas O'Ware and of course former Inverness striker Nathan Austin. All players who could perform at a higher level. The usual merry-go-round of players saw many leave Inverness for pastures new, with some new faces coming in to bulk out the squad. Out went loan players Reece McAlear, Logan Chalmers, Joe Hardy with Kirk Broadfoot returning to the central belt. Former Inverness and Clach defender Harry Nicolson has joined League of Ireland club Finn Harps. In come Stephen Boyd, Nathan Shaw, Zak Delaney and the man with the cool name, Max Ram. George Oakley has returned to Inverness after a three year hiatus. They will meet up with those still on contracts which will be the core of our squad. Shane Sutherland is out long term after his knee injury during the play-offs. Tom Walsh is another who will miss the start of the season. We also have an excellent youth academy with a number of players ready to break into the first team squad. Eric has been doing his homework: Kelty Hearts open the season with newly appointed manager John Potter, a one time Dunfermline, Clyde and St Mirren player who since retiring has been in a coaching role under Jack Ross at St Mirren, Sunderland and Hibs. He replaces Kevin Thomson, who resigned after Kelty lifted the Scottish League 2 title. The 42-year-old Potter had 20 games in charge of Dunfermline in season 2014-15 and later assisted Jack Ross at Sunderland and Hibernian. More recently, he coached at Queen's Park, who won promotion to the Championship via the play-offs. They have added to the defence with the signing of Lewis Martin from Dunfermline on a free transfer. Up front ex ICT player Nathan Austin is in the squad, Nathan joined ICT Jan 2018 until summer of 2019 but had limited appearances due to injury. Experience in the forward line include Joe Cardle (35) of numerous clubs including rivals County season 2014/15. Also 33 year old Kallum Higginbotham who spent last season with Real Kashmir in India, and previously with Dunfermline. Latest Team News Daniel Mackay is the latest player to do the olde Peters & Lee as he has returned North on a season long loan from Hibs. That will be a welcome addition to the squad along with George Oakley, two players that we know will fit in with our work ethics and already know the routine up here. With Shane Sutherland and Tom Walsh missing the start of the season, these will be ready made replacements to add to the other new summer signings. Scott Allardice will be like a new signing after he made his comeback in the play-off games at the end of last season. We still have the core of our defence with Duffy, Devine, Deas and Harper all available. Welcome home, welcome Come on in, and close the door You've been gone, too long Welcome, you're home once more TICKET INFO Tickets available now in advance via Fanbase and Pay at the Gate will be available from Central Park on Saturday. Kelty have said that there is no segregation in place for these matches Adults: £12 Concessions: £8 Under 16s: £4

The Proclaimers Inverness Caledonian Thistle publicly announced themselves on the footballing world today by reaching their first major final after only 20 years of existence. The near 2000 fans although outnumbered by almost 10-1 proclaimed the message loud and clear at Easter Road in the Sunshine on Leith after Hearts, the infamous 'always the bridesmaids' were beaten in the League Cup semi-final by nine man Inverness. Ten buses and various other modes of transport were deployed as the Highland fans made their way to the 'neutral' venue of Easter Road once more, scene of last seasons dramatic shoot out disappointment. Not even a fire drill at Glasgow Central could halt the march as most travelled 500 miles, well nearer 400, to witness this historic day. It was literally sunshine on Leith, and Yogi rang the changes with Richie Foran failing to make the bench. Back came Ross Draper, James Vincent, Marley Watkins and Greg Tansey to produce a powerful midfield. Dropping to the bench were Nick Ross, Carl Tremarco, Liam Polworth and Danny Williams along with Ryan Esson and Danny Devine. Hearts sprung the bigger surprise with Ryan Stevenson only starting from the bench, which was odd considering they brought forward their game with St Mirren to free him from suspension. Loan signing Paul McCallum joined Stevenson on the bench and he is an unknown quantity. Graham Shinnie captained the Highlanders onto the pitch with his counterpart Danny Wilson, and Raven, Warren and Draper tread a fine line as they are one booking away from missing a possible Cup Final appearance. Inverness started on the front foot but Paterson burst forward only for Meekings to dispossess him in the box. Play raced to the other end and Draper spooned a great opportunity to open the scoring after McKay fed him in the box, Draper electing to prod the ball with his wrong foot and it went high over. A nervy start by Hearts as the game settled into a midfield tussle. A tussle that Scott Robinson took too seriously as he clattered Billy McKay, Raven intervening and Robinson rightly booked. Doran latched onto a throw-in but his shot from the edge of the box was dragged just wide of MacDonald's goal. Inverness were asserting themselves more on the game and a Doran corner was flicked goalwards by Tansey, but the keeper saved comfortably. Some of the play was a bit frantic with Inverness looking the more comfortable on the ball and ahead on possession. A Doran shot was blocked but the ball spun towards the crossbar, the keeper tipping it behind, eleven minutes gone. A re-taken corner gave Doran a second chance but Draper's header went a couple of yards wide. Callum Paterson lay on the park as Inverness strode forward again and Watkins caused problems with a run deep into the box, but another effort was knocked wide, the Hearts fans not amused. Hearts woke up and Carrick headed narrowly over after a good break on the right side and a McGowan cross. However, it was Inverness that were making most of the early running, Watkins being prominent in most forays forward. Twenty minutes gone and Inverness forced the Hearts defence to scramble the ball out for a corner, Watkins close range overhead kick resulting in a sore head for Paterson and a free kick to Hearts. Our midfield still had a tight grip of the game at this point. Some tough tackling going in and one or two players might well fall foul of the referee if not the physio. MacDonald once more has to rush to the edge of his box to thwart another Inverness attack and at the other end in Hearts first real sustained attack Brill had to watch a long cross sail narrowly over, but the Jambos continued to press before Shinnie cleared the danger. Hearts were now seeing a bit more of the ball as the Inverness midfield lost their way slightly, but chances were at a premium. Gary Warren took a sore one as Paterson went under him for a high ball, but he resumed after a couple of shakes of the head. Inverness without a regular dead ball expert for a long time might still have to wait a while yet as Greg Tansey fluffed one from thirty yards. Marley Watkins took the first Inverness yellow card as Nicholson sped forward, Brill easily gathering the ball and as a result, McKay was released by the keeper, bursting into the box but again closed down. Nicholson tested Brill at the other end, and the keeper parried it well, then Warren made sure he would miss a prospective final by earning a booking. The game was more even now but Inverness were struggling to get behind the Hearts defence as easily as they did in the first quarter. Shinnie drew a corner but Doran easily found the keepers gloves. Passes were now going astray as every ball was being keenly contested and a war of nutrition broke out before half time. Brill took two goes to get his hands on a swinging free kick and as Inverness broke forward McKay squandered the best chance of the game hitting MacDonald from seven yards as he burst into the box. Should have scored with a bit more composure, but it was a great block by MacDonald and it was typical cup fare, the game raging from end to end. Callum Paterson got a finger wagging from the ref just before half time, the word tousy springs to mind. Billy McKay almost broke the deadlock once more but his shot from the edge of the box rose too high when he had better options and the half drew to a close. Would Inverness rue their ascendency not being capitalised on? Half Time 0-0 A boost for Hearts as the second half got under way with Ryan Stevenson replacing David Smith. Game on! Inverness were now shooting towards their home end. A penalty shout was waived away as Inverness continued to take the game towards Hearts and a couple of Doran corners in quick succession followed, as did another penalty claim, Warren falling in the box. It was a replication of the first few minutes of the game as Inverness pushed forward in numbers. Doran was almost on the end of some great interplay but the Hearts defence stood firm, just. A raking Meekings ball picked out Watkins and the cross just fell behind Draper as Inverness continued to press. Greg Tansey had made a hash of a free kick earlier, but when he latched onto another loose ball around the Hearts box, he absolutely lashed as ferocious a shot as you would see behind MacDonald to put Inverness in the driving seat for now, and not undeserved it has to say at this moment. I'm not sure you will see a better strike anywhere this season, or maybe any other season for that matter. MacKay was inches away from connecting to make it two nil, as was Vincent from the return ball, and Doran could have done better as they stretched the now overworked Jambos defence when he sped into the box, his shot straight at a grateful MacDonald. Jeepers; we almost shot ourselves in the foot, but Brill made a tremendous reflex save to deny Paterson and Raven completed a headed clearance from Paterson's header. A let off and a warning as Hearts rolled up their sleeves and introduced unknown quantity Paul McCallum for McGowan. Hearts upped the pace and got the break as Warren looked to be harshly sent off for giving away a free kick right on the edge of the box. McHattie shaped to take it but a massively deflected Hamill shot found the corner of a wrong footed Brill's net. Devine then replaced Aaron Doran into central defence after the dismissal of Gary Warren as Hearts sensed blood. Another clumsy tackle gifted Hearts a second free kick and there was no dubiety about the quality of this free kick as Hamill found the top corner. Stunner! Ten man Inverness looked shell shocked as that two goals in two minutes turned the game on it's head and MacDonald denied McKay as they pushed for an equaliser to take the game to extra time, and once more MacDonald saved superbly from a Meekings header from the corner. Things were beginning to go Hearts way now as the burden of playing with ten men began to take it's toll. Tiring legs as the game entered the last fifteen minutes. Shinnie was upended on the touchline and Tansey swung in a great ball, but it would not fall kindly to us and Hearts cleared. Ten minutes to go and Hearts players were finding it easy to stay on the deck as time ebbed away. Could Inverness muster one more charge as Tapping came on for Nicholson who left the arena on a stretcher. Paterson burst forward from deep with a great run but his shot was deflected out for a corner to Hearts. The final throw of the dice for Inverness came when Nick Ross replaced David Raven as they went for broke, Graeme Shinnie volleying one at MacDonald. Five minutes of stoppage time were confirmed as a tiring Inverness gave their all but sadly it all went tits up when Meekings lost the ball then hacked down the Hearts player as he took the ball forward. Nine men on the park and the game was all but over. Brill punted a long free kick forward but three Jambos smothered the ball, content to sit on it for a few seconds. Unbelievably, just when you think it's all over, Nick Ross forces the ball over the line for his first and most important goal of the season. No more than Inverness deserved to be honest in the last minute of stoppage time, and seconds later the ref blew his peeper to send the tie into thirty minutes of extra time. Absolute pandemonium in the Inverness end and delight for Nick Ross who started from the bench. Ninety Minutes 2-2 Hearts still look the likeliest though with Inverness down to nine men now, and straight from the kick off Brill had to save smartly from a superb McCallum header to keep the game all square. Carl Tremarco replaced Vincent at the start of extra time to put some fresh legs on the park. Two penalty shouts in quick succession as Hearts superiority in numbers told on the proceedings, Inverness throwing bodies in the way as Hearts tried to force the ball home, clearance to anywhere the order of the day now. Inverness look like they would take a penalty shoot-out right now. However it was now wave after wave of Maroon attacks as they tried to unsettle the makeshift Inverness defence due to the two sending off's, firing plenty of high balls into the box, Grant Mackay heading tamely over from a good position in the 99th minute. Tapping almost bundled the ball home as a melee broke out in the Inverness six yard box before a free kick was awarded to the Inverness side. A rare break forward with McKay feeding Ross who drew a free kick on the left. Tansey whipped it in and McKay tried to flick it on but MacDonald flopped on it to kill the ball. Inverness were busting a gut now and managed to survive the first period of extra time, the dream is still on and Nick Ross, the saviour is linking well with McKay on the rare occasions that we do get forward. Extra Time Half Time 2-2 A long, very long Tremarco throw-in caused panic in the Hearts box but they smuggled it clear and play raged to the other end, Brill collecting a hanging cross well. Ross found time in the box to turn after some good build up play, but this time his shot was weak and into the arms of MacDonald. Moments later McKay brilliantly held the ball up and exchanged passes with Ross before the latter fired a cross in which the keeper gathered easily. It was however encouraging signs for nine man Inverness. Down to the last ten minutes now and the players left on the park are running on empty. John Beaton feeling sorry for Inverness and a couple of decisions go our way. Meh. Billy McKay gets upended in the box and another melee ensues, but the ball is eventually driven harmlessly over, and at the other end Hearts head over to relieve the pressure on the Inverness defence. Have Hearts been saving themselves for a late surge or have Inverness got something else up their sleeves? Great defending by Tremarco as he mugs Hamill and McKay holds the ball up brilliantly again as Inverness continue to take the game to the eleven men. Suddenly Hearts break forward and McCallum should have scored but headed over from point blank range. That would surely have sealed it. McKay again provides an outlet and wins a valuable time consuming throw-in for under pressure Inverness. It's backs to the wall stuff now and Brill comfortably gathers a cross and despite a lung bursting run from Shinnie the game draws to a close, and penalties are the order of the day........pulsating stuff........PHEW! Full Time 120mins 2-2 So, it's penalties once more and the two most important men on the park will be Paul MacDonald and Dean Brill. The two keepers exchange pleasantries and Shinnie takes the first one, but keeper saves. My Heart cannae take this. 0-0 Shinnie miss, MacDonald guesses correct and makes the save. 0-0 McCallum miss, Brill does likewise. 0-1 Billy McKay scores, bottom corner, keeper AWOL 1-1 Carrick scores similar to McKay, opposite corner. 1-2 Nick Ross blasts home, tremendous strike from young Nick, chuffed. 1-2 Brill saves Hamill's mediocre shot, Karma! 1-3 Tansey blasts home as expected, super strike though, high and hard. 2-3 Robinson dribbles his one in, like our Billy's one. 2-4 Draper, cool as a cucumber slots the ball into the opposite corner, game over. Pandemonium once more in the away end as Inverness defy the odds to secure their first ever major final appearance, Caley 100 grabbing a wonderful souvenir by collecting Dean Brill's glove as the big keeper throws them into the crowd. Big Yogi has a grin the size of Leith Walk embedded on his dial and that will take some time to come off. More reaction and video to follow, but for the moment huge congratulations to everybody, and a final against Aberdeen to come. Can it get any Better. Brings a tear to yer eye.................Have an unofficial swatch at the penalty shootout Date: 02.02.2014 Venue: Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 12762 Referee: John Beaton Hearts: 2 Lineup: MacDonald, Hamill, McHattie, Wilson, McGowan (McCallum 64), Robinson, Paterson, McKay, Smith (Stevenson 46), Carrick, Nicholson (Tapping 84) Subs (not used): Ridgers, McGhee Scorers: Hamill (67, 69) Booked: Robinson (6), MacDonald (54), Stevenson (69), Paterson (103), McKay (116) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Brill, Raven (Ross 87), Shinnie, Vincent (Tremarco 95), Warren, Meekings, Mckay, Draper, Doran (Devine 68), Watkins, Tansey Subs (not used): Esson, Williams Scorers: Tansey (54), Ross (90+4) Booked: Watkins (32), Warren (34), Shinnie (90) Sent Off: Warren (66), Meekings (90) Inverness C.T. win 2-4 on pens after extra time

The wasps are coming Player manager Jim Goodwin will take his Alloa Athletic side North on Saturday to face Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium in the Championship. It's a 3:00pm kick off with Inverness looking to remain unbeaten and keep the Wasps winless. I notice that Alloa have the most appropriately named keeper in the league. You've guessed it, his name is Parry, but let's not dwell on that. Keeper Neil Parry was voted onto the League one team having completed 13 clean sheets last season. That aside, what an appropriate name for a keeper........ just saying. Caley Stan has been doing his homework and the result is this informative Preview for us all to read.................... Alloa, known globally not just for its brewing but as the unlikely setting for a popular sitcom set during the French Resistance, lies on the north bank of the Forth where some say it ceases to be the River Forth and becomes the Firth of Forth. Fittingly, the town’s football club continually refuses to accept the place in the Seaside League that usually serves as the pinnacle for a club of its size. Under the chairmanship of local tycoon Mike Mulraney, The Wasps have enjoyed a period of unprecedented success, beginning with the appointment of Paul Hartley as manager in the summer of 2011. Hartley oversaw successive promotions and Alloa went on to spend 3 consecutive seasons in the second tier. Now Player-Manger-Master of the Dark Arts, Jim Goodwin, has led them back up at the second attempt with victories over Raith Rovers and Dumbarton in the play-offs. History of the Fixture Won 14 Drawn 10 Lost 6 We played Alloa 28 times in the first 9 seasons of our history and have faced them just twice since. Our first victory came at the fifth attempt – a 5-0 win at Recreation Park in which a Charlie Christie hat-trick and an Ian Stewart brace provided the first sign of the free-scoring fun that was to follow over the next 7 and a half years. By the end of that glorious period, Alloa had been the recipients of a series of unremitting pumpings, and Pele’s last visit to ‘The Recs’ fittingly saw us run out 6-0 winners, with hat-tricks from both Dennis Wyness and Paul Ritchie. I’ve always wondered who got to keep the ball. For all that, it’s a defeat that lingers most vividly in the memory. The 1999 Challenge Cup Final in Airdrie was an epic 4-4 draw that saw The Wasps victorious after a penalty shoot-out. Paul Sheerin, whose hat-trick in the game had included 2 from the spot, missed our opening penalty in the shoot-out and the loss was complete when Mike Teasdale had his saved. To add insult to injury, Alloa keeper Mark Cairns who saved Teasdale's penalty, scored the one before it. It may be difficult to imagine now, but it was a gut-wrenching defeat at the time – just 5 years into our history and in our debut season in the First Division, we were competing in our first final, bringing around 3000 fans down to a less than neutral venue. But in retrospect, with everything we’ve gone on to achieve, it’s difficult to begrudge Alloa a success that takes pride of place in their 140 year-old honours list. And lest we forget, it was not just a victory for Alloa Athletic Football Club, but a significant milestone in the integration of duffel coat wearing headmasters into mainstream society. The teams last met in the Second Round of the League Cup 2 years ago, with Alloa running out 1-0 winners. The defeat turned out to be a harbinger of things to come under the stewardship of Richie Foran and our descent since then has been steep. A maiden victory for Alloa at the Caledonian Stadium would represent a new low. Form Alloa Last 7: WDWLLLW ICT Last 7: WWWLWDL Form is in the eye of the beholder here, as it can be argued that the all competitions figures above don’t tell us much about confidence in the respective squads. Although Alloa have lost their opening two league fixtures, those games have been tight and they have performed well in the cups. There’s little to suggest that they will suffer as Brechin did. From our end, we remain unbeaten in the league since the 13th March, a run of 13 games, but the manner of our departures from the cups, combined with the failure to score against an Ayr side that played over an hour with 10 men, leave the impression that all may not be well. Teams & Tactics Like Dumbarton before them, Alloa’s chances of staying in this division are largely dependent on their ability to supplement a part-time squad with full-time loan signings. That makes August a tricky month, with clubs reluctant to loan players out before the transfer window closes. However, that process has stepped up this week with the loan additions of midfielder Liam Burt from Rangers and forward Dario Zanatta from Hearts. All accounts suggest that Alloa are playing a stuffy, narrow 4-4-1-1, with experienced lower league journeyman Alan Trouten in support of Greig Spence up top. At the back, captain Andy Graham has decent experience at this level and his partnership with Bulgarian Zdravko Karadachki has impressed so far this season. We also seem to be playing a narrow 4-4-2, with a settled back 4 that sees Shaun Rooney pushing up high on the right when we’re in possession. Tom Walsh has made a bright start to the season on the left of midfield, while Liam Polworth and Joe Chalmers are fixtures in Robbo’s starting line-ups. That leaves 3 places up for grabs with Charlie Trafford and Sean Welsh competing for the remaining berth in the centre of midfield, and Nathan Austin, George Oakley and Jordan White all in contention to play up front. It’s difficult to see where Aaron Doran fits into this system and Robbo has made it clear that he sees Daniel MacKay as an impact sub at this time. Angus Beith remains injured and Zak Elbouzedi was absent from the bench for our last match.

Dawn of a new Era The new season kicks off with the visit of Brechin City to the Caledonian Stadium for a Group A Betfred League Cup encounter, Robbo's first competitive game back at the helm. Brechin did well to win promotion having finished fourth in the first division, but they pipped Alloa in the play-offs to send them into the Championship. It's over thirteen years since we last played a competitive match against The City who now have former Caley Jags machine Darren Dods as their player manager. The last game ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Inverness in the Highlands. John Robertson was our manager that day and Barry Wilson grabbed the only goal from the penalty spot. When we first entered the Leagues, Brechin held the upper hand over Inverness, winning two and drawing one, with ICT taking the last encounter in 1996. Since then, Inverness gradually got the better of the Angus club and in season 2003/2004 we won all five games against Brechin, scoring 17 goals in the process. However, although the manager remains the same at Inverness, it's all change on the park and there was little given away in pre-season to give us any indication of what to expect this campaign. Signings were arriving at the double with striker George Oakley coming in from AFC Wimbledon and Inverness lad Mark Ridgers via Partick where he was back up keeper last season. Collin Seedorf a nephew of the great Clarence Seedorf arrived from Dutch football and Ricardo Calder and Mathew Elsdon were next to wave the Red'n'Blue scarf above their heads whilst proclaiming their lifelong ambition was to play for Caley Thistle in the Championship. There is also an exciting prospect in Zak Elbouzedi coming in from the West Brom set-up, a flying winger similar to Jake Mulraney, so that could be interesting. Former Motherwell defender Joe Chalmers has been added to the squad gaining a two year deal. Alex Cooper has also been linked with a move to Inverness having featured in a couple of pre-season games. A lot has changed since the end of the season, chairmen, directors, managers, players, ball boys, tweeters and ticket sellers have all been removed. Some have been replaced and it's not easy to keep tabs on. Notable faces out or on their way are Richie Foran, Kevin McNaughton, Scott Boden, Alex Fisher, Larnell Cole, Josh Meekings, Owain Fon Williams and another as yet unnamed high earner (if there is such a thing at ICT), an endless list really. Struggling for information this early in the season, but apparently over the close-season Dougie Hill, Ross Caldwell, Gareth Rodger, Alan Trouten and Darren McCormack have all left the Hedge at Brechin. No doubt due to cuts and trimming the squad. However, Willie Dyer, Liam Watt, Aron Lynas, Finn Graham, Chris O'Neill, Gary Fusco and Elliot Ford are all staying. Top signing appears to be Ryan McGeever ex-Falkirk who has signed on as has Isaac Layne, defender Ewan Spark. Late arrivals from Livingston are midfielder Jordan Sinclair and defender Sean Crighton and winger Kalvin Orsi from St Mirren. All are expected to be in the squad for tomorrows game. We begin the season with a lengthy injury list. The aforementioned Zak Elbouzedi is out (he'll be just Zak from now on), his crutches a bit of a giveaway. Strikers John Baird and George Oakley are struggling with knocks, Carl Tremarco and Aaron Doran have longer term injuries. After that it's anyone's guess who Robbo will be selecting for this seasons opener. Brechin have Liam Watt out with a broken wrist. They also have a few suspended, allegedly, Chris O'Neill, James Dale and Finn Graham. Star signing Ryan McGeever is reported to be on holiday at the moment. Over to you Dods, you're on the bench, so who are the other two subs? Name yer team Machine.

Semi-Final Rehearsal It's another rehearsal for the league cup semi-final as Inverness travel to the capital to take on struggling Hearts. The Edinburgh club have been nothing short of whipping boys recently with Celtic putting seven past the young Jambos and Dundee United adding four last weekend. I doubt for a minute that Inverness will find the task quite as easy, but the confidence must be sapping from the young side, asked to take the strain in the SPFL, starting fifteen points adrift after administration woes put the future of the club at risk. To add more misery to the capital side, Ryan Stevenson has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring tear. John Hughes first game in charge ended in a tough no scoring draw at Paisley, Dean Brill ensuring the new gaffer took at least one point back up the A9 with a string of fine saves. That's four clean sheets in a row for the man keeping Ryan Esson on the bench. While Inverness were at Paisley, Hearts succumbed to a rampant Arab side who are gathering a bit of momentum with a series of high scoring results. However, Hearts did compound the critics with a 3-1 win at Pittodrie a month ago, only their third win of the season and their second over Aberdeen. But that's enough from me, AJS has this preview for you before the trip to Tynecastle.................... Dugout Debut Inverness travel down to the nations capital to pay basement boys Hearts a visit, with John Hughes taking to the dugout for the first time as our new boss. Yogi watched his side play out a tentative 0-0 draw in Paisley from the stands and will have had another week to tweak things to his way of liking, without "changing things too much". Hearts will be looking to add some much needed points and goals to their stats as they face the worrying prospect of hitting the festive period still stuck on minus points. December has been a wretched month for the Jam Tarts having haemorrhaged 11 goals in just 2 games as well as going into the upcoming fixture missing several key players, including Ryan Stevenson and Jason Holt who have been influential players for Gary Locke's youthful side. ICT go into the game with a near fully fit squad, James Vincent remaining the only absentee as he recovers from long term injury, but he is on the recovery trail and has been given the go-ahead to up his training.. Between the sides this season Inverness were the victors when Hearts travelled north at the beginning of the campaign, with Billy McKay netting a well taken first half double. He was denied a hat trick when his penalty was well saved by Jamie MacDonald. Meetings at Tynecastle last season dished up much entertainment, 9 goals served up and also ICT taking good results in both encounters. The first was an early meeting in the season with Hearts racing into a 2-0 lead and ICT also losing Richie Foran to a red card before half time, but our new look side bravely battled back. Andy Shinnie netted a spot kick to reduce the deficit and with time almost up a lovely exchange of play between Billy McKay and Graeme Shinnie saw the latter cut the ball back to a fresh faced, delirious youngster in Conor Pepper who clipped the ball high into the net to send the fans behind the goal into raptures and the players into delight as they had rescued what seemed an impossible result. The cup semi final against the Jam Tarts was heartbreaking, we will just leave it at that. But it sent us out on a revenge mission later the same month and we went to Tynecastle and took 3 points home. Gary Warren of all people netted a double with a couple of bullet headers, either side of Billy McKay scoring a goal. Webster and Holt were on the score sheet for Hearts but it wasn't enough and it was a hard fought and well taken result. Emphasising the grit and hard working nature of our side. Its the kind of grit and work ethic that will be needed at Tynecastle. Hearts may have a youthful side but they have shown despite recent results that they have grit themselves and during what is a real struggle for the club they are doing their best to dig themselves out of a real hole with next to no resources. Despite the lack of players on paper I'm sure Gary Locke will have them well fired up and its important we don't take it lightly. As for ourselves John Hughes has stated he won't tinker too much and hopefully he will stick to that. Our results in the last month have been terrific and I'm hoping that with him in the dugout on Saturday the players it will give the players an extra boost to go out and give their all and hopefully come away with a top result and performance. Tynecastle itself is a thoroughly enjoyable venue. One of my favourite grounds to visit. Good view, good fans and overall a great day out. Hoping to see a good support there tomorrow and for the 3 points to be heading back up the A9. AJS's prediction - Hoping our defence will stay solid and come away with a clean sheet. While up top we show the class we have shown throughout the campaign - I'm going for a 2-0 win.

Running Scared, or Running for Top-Six? Ross County are the form team in the SPL right now. Unbeaten since before Christmas when Celtic beat them 4-0 at Parkhead, they have embarked on a remarkable eleven game run taking 27 points out of a possible 33. This has resulted in a surge up the table from second bottom on the 22nd of December to overhaul the 14 point gap to ourselves. After beating Celtic last weekend, they jumped one point above us to third in the table, how dare they. On the other hand, we are stuttering towards the split and confidence is not as high as it was before Christmas. To put Counties achievement into perspective, we have gained only 12 points over the same period and look to have blown our chances of finishing second in the SPL. It has been a good season by any standards. Both Highland clubs are breaking records this season. Billy McKay's scoring exploits have kept us in touch at the top end and we led the table in terms of goals scored for long enough. County's, debut season has turned out rather well for them after an inauspicious start and they look to have earned a top-six spot after their unbeaten run. Ah yes, that reminds me, beach football has always been a particular favourite of mine. After last weeks disappointing draw at Dundee, Terry Butcher has been handed a bill for £200 for venting his frustration at his teams inability to take three points by smashing a hole in the dugout. The plastic covering was damaged as Butcher suffered like the rest of us and opinions on CTO were mixed on the rights and wrongs of this, but Scotty came up with the best answer; "maybe we should all just put it in perspextive!" His frustrations though are not unwarranted and are shared by us all as the team struggles to get over the top six finish line. Points have been dropped in the run towards the split and we have thrown a few points away since our bad week when we were knocked out of both cups and suffered SPL defeat. Kilmarnock at home springs to mind. Our confidence seems to have taken a knock and our free scoring run has almost ground to a halt. Teams we would have beaten earlier in the season are now picking points off us as the battle for position heightens. Here he is in calmer times.......... <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g3WDElqAWb0?list=PL30A0B5E92F18F713" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> And hark, what's this I hear.......... <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3MYoOz9bpNA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> It's a rallying call to all Caley Thistle troops to get behind the team for a final push towards the promised land. Never before has this club needed everyone to pull in the same direction with such power as they need on Saturday. County have done exceptionally well to get to where they are right now, and have almost overshadowed what we have achieved so far this season. However, both clubs have won nothing yet but a win for either could well go a long way to creating history, and the backing of the fans is a must if we are to get out of the habit of bottling these games. You can bet your bottom dollar that the County fans will be well up for this, and rightly so considering their current form, so wet yer whistle and get behind the team. Motherwell's bottle seems to be holding up pretty well as they thrashed Hibs 4-1 last night to go six points ahead of us and look to be the team that will secure second spot unless we can get get back in the groove. ***Latest Team News*** After his ridiculous booking in the last derby for alleged diving, Graeme Shinnie will have to miss this game out through suspension. Charlie Taylor was tried at left back against Dundee and he seems favourite to deputise, although Daniel Devine could be in with a shout as well. Chris Hogg and Simon King are long term absentees and Phillip Roberts has a knock. Richard Brittain and Ivan Sproule are not assured of a return to action. That is the view of Derek Adams who is content with the job his replacements have done, although that may well be a smoke screen from the Seethe as they have been integral in Counties surge to the top. Michael Fraser looks set to continue in goal for the injured Mark Brown. tm4tj Prediction:- Oh my, it's a tough call. You should really go with the form team when it comes to these games. However, County have failed to win in the previous four games this season, Inverness winning twice. We have not been at our best recently and County's run has been beyond what their own fans would have thought possible. They are just poking out of the shadows now, but it's time to put them back in their place. If we can get some momentum going, then it's not inconceivable that County's run will come to an end at the hands of the top team in the Highlands. We need a team of battlers on the park, that should rule out the deft touches of Nick Ross, and we need ten Richie Foran's and one Ryan Esson.................but most of all, we need lot's of vocal backing and that's where you lot come in. 2-1 for us and an end to County's remarkable run. :ictscarf: Here's one of them to tell us about it <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4SKw4wfGYq8?list=PL30A0B5E92F18F713" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Ginger Jaggy has his say on the forthcoming derby................. Don your colours, man the stands, make some noise and get behind Terry’s boys this weekend. The Highland Derby will see its fifth instalment in Inverness on Saturday as third faces fourth in a titanic battle that will nudge the victor towards a historic debut appearance in the top six. On the fifth of October the Caledonian stadium played host to a historic first Highland Derby in Scottish football’s top flight. On Saturday the teams will meet again in Inverness but with so much more riding on it than that first SPL encounter. This game will mean so much more than local pride, it will go a long way to one of these rivals cementing a place in the top six and look forward to the potential adventure of Europe. With three games to go there is only nine points separating second place Motherwell and Aberdeen in ninth with any team in that pack in the running to make it. The respective form of both teams sees a marked difference in fortunes from the last time these two met in Inverness on cup replay duty. Caley Thistle looked dead certainties to be top six after a blistering first half of the campaign. But we have since stuttered towards the split even though we are unbeaten in our last 4. County on the other hand are the run-away train that we were at the start of the season. They last suffered defeat in a 4-0 drubbing at Celtic Park just before Christmas and since then have gone on an 11 game unbeaten run which has seen them fail to taste defeat in 2013. In fact that defeat saw County sit some 12 points adrift of us in second place with County down in eleventh just nine clear of Dundee. Now we see County sit one point ahead of us; how the table has been turned on its head. This dramatic change in form was present last week when Inverness could only pick up a point at the bottom team Dundee, while yet again, County picked up a miraculous 3-2 comeback win against the champions elect in Dingwall. The facts show that the momentum is with County but all is not lost for the home faithful. A lot of County’s momentum has come from some decent home form which is unsurprising as the surface contributes to anti football. And for us it hasn’t been too bad barring one or two games. The difference has been that everything that went for us in the first half of the season is not going for us now. What has happened I don’t know but I know that the eleven players that take to the field give their all and as fans we should appreciate it even if it is slightly disappointing we aren’t winning games like we were. As for tactics it may be time for a slight change in the system. The 4-2-3-1 has worked well for us this season and does make us compact, but whether teams have worked it out or the players have just lost a little sharpness it is not as attacking as it was. One criticism of the last match against Dundee was that Inverness - on a tricky surface- failed to hold on to the ball with high balls for Billy Mckay. Even with a much better surface than in Dingwall, Inverness may have to go more direct and putting Richie Foran up alongside McKay will give County more problems and something different to think about. Having Foran back in the starting line up also has to be a must as he is the driving force of the team who is very good at taking games by the scruff of their necks. For County I would expect them to go one up front like they did in the league and cup game at Inverness. The danger will come from the flanks with Vigurs – who likes a goal against us – and if fit, Ivan Sproule who has five in his seven league games since his release from Hibs. Against Celtic they played a 4-1-4-1 with Paul Lawson playing in the hole between defence and midfield and I would expect similar on Saturday. One big weakness could be Michael Fraser who looked very shaky with Celtic’s two goals and this is why I would like to see lots of crosses and Foran, Draper or Jones being a presence from set pieces. Overall it is a huge game for both sides. A draw may help both sides gain a top 6 berth but that will be the last thought come 3 o’clock. It is in my opinion, it's bigger for Caley Thistle than Ross County to gain all three points. It will take us back above County and if results work out then it could see us concrete our place in the right half of the table. We may not have been setting the league alight recently but our exploits from the first half of the season makes a top six place definitely deserved. Top six is the main goal but a victory on Saturday especially against the opposition may just be the catalyst for the team to find a late burst towards gaining a historic debut in Europe. Tensions boiled over two weeks ago between Butcher and Adams which was on the cards after Adams made it his major goal to get one over us since the cup tie in Dingwall. I as well as many others will love to see the return of that reaction from that day come 5pm Saturday and I feel we will get it, in a morale boosting 2-0 victory. IN THE WORDS OF DELIA SMITH ‘LETS BE HAVING YOU’ MAKE SATURDAY AN OCCASION TO REMEMBER FOR A GREAT HIGHLAND DERBY DAY SUCCESS C'MON CALEY THISTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :ictscarf:

🏆 KDM TROPHY FINAL 🏆 It's been a long slog but we have battled our way through to the final of the KDM Trophy where we will face Raith Rovers at the neutral venue of Firhill in Glasgow. It's been quite a journey since we played our first Challenge Cup game at Elgin back on the 12th of August last year. Eight months and another ten games later we will face-off against Championship side Raith Rovers in the final. It's been some journey and we are unbeaten up to the final having won all ten matches so far scoring a total of 41 goals and conceding 8, eliminating two Championship sides in Partick Thistle and Ayr United, won a penalty shoot-out, had one game postponed, scored a club record nine goals in a mismatch against Dumbarton, beaten League1 rivals Stenhousemuir and had Alfie Bavidge knocking in four in one game. Who ever said it was a Mickey Mouse Cup? It certainly caught the eye more once the knock-out stages started with the introduction of the Championship sides and we are now on our way to our sixth final. We lost our first in a dramatic penalty kick defeat to Alloa Athletic back in season 99/2000. In 03/04 we beat Airdrie 2-0 and in 09/10 we let a two goal lead slip against Dundee to lose out in an entertaining five goal final. We returned to the final in 17/18 to defeat Dumbarton 1-0 with a late Carl Tremarco goal when extra time looked likely and the 19/20 final was shelved due to the covid crisis where we were to play Sunday's opponents Raith Rovers. The trophy was shared then, so this weekend we can play for the right to get our hands on the trophy legitimately. This will be Raith Rovers fifth appearance in the final having won it three times. They have reached the final in four of the last six seasons it has been contested, the tournament being cancelled in season 2020/21. Their last two KDM fixtures to get to the final saw them eliminate Championship sides Queens Park and Airdrie in penalty kick shoot-outs. 💰 There's £150,000 up for grabs if you win and a not too shabby £100,000 for the runners-up. 💰 🤑 Either way, that's a lot of dosh 🤑 Chanka Zimba is suspended, but it transpires that his suspension is for League games only, therefore he will be eligible to play on Sunday but will miss the League game at Stenhousemuir. However, he was on International duty for Zambia against Argentina on April 1st. Lionel Messi shared the same pitch with Chanka for half an hour in Buenos Aires. Trust me, it was a real thing, not AI and not an April Fool. Well done to Chanka for getting recognition after a good season at the Caley Jags. A great achievement to go from an early bath at Recreation Park Alloa to the Estadio Alberto J Armando in Buenos Aires, a stadium capable of 50,000 plus crowds. A feat that will never ever be replicated. Memories made for life! Back home, Liam Sole is free from suspension and will be available should he now be injury free. Danny Devine missed out last week through injury and another two or three were possibly carrying knocks. We will also need to keep an eye on the game at Ochilview with Stenhousemuir hosting Hamilton Accies as the run in for the League1 title gets serious. Weather watch: It looks like Dave is coming over the weekend with strong winds and heavy rain forecast. Make sure you take a kite with you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Info 📣Matchday Important message📣 Barry Wilson Interview Carl Tremarco Interview ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This will go to the Wyre Ticket Prices @ Firhill £20 – Adults £12 – Concessions (65+ and students) £6 – Juveniles (ages 12–16) Under 12s – Free if accompanied by a paying adult. Anyone under the age of 12 must enter with an adult. Inverness Caledonian Thistle supporters will have access to tickets in the Jackie Husband Stand Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4. Club Singing Section Supporters wishing to purchase tickets in the ICTFC Singing Section should select Section 2 of the Jackie Husband Stand. Last time out, and on the telly, we had a massively disappointing home draw with QotS where we looked jaded and devoid of ideas. KDM Trophy 12/08/25 4-1 Elgin City(H) 26/08/25/ 4-1 Aberdeen(H) 05/09/25 2-1 Binos(H) 23/09/25 6-0 Dundee(H) 11/10/25 4-1 Forfar Ath(A) 11/11/25 6-0 Dundee Utd(H) 16/12/25 9-0 Dumbarton(A) 06/01/26 P-P Partick Th(A) 13/01/26 3-3 Partick Th(A) 2701/26 1-0 Sten'muir(H) 24/02/26 2-1 Ayr United(A) 05/04/26 - Raith Rovers(N) We will need all hands to the pumps if we are to lift the trophy. Chanka Zimba appears to be free to play on Sunday but will miss the crunch title match at Stenhousemuir. Hopefully Liam Sole and Danny Devine will be fit and maybe we can have our best right back this season in Calum MacLeod starting. It's no use sitting in for ninety minutes against Raith Rovers and then wondering what if! We need to be clinical and pacey, not sloppy and pedestrian. In our favour, we are at our best when we are underdogs!!! Raith Rovers last squad out in a comfortable 3-0 win over Ayr United who have since sacked Scott Brown. Surely it's not that embarrassing losing to Rovers A brace from Innes Cameron and one from Richard Chin sealed Broon's fate. Rovers have had a disappointing season by their own high standards and sit just outside the top four. Dougie Imrie is now the boss having taken over from Barry Robson in November. Raith's KDM: Rovers 5-2 Accies Rovers 1-0 QotSth Q Park 1-1 Rovers (1-3 pens) Airdrie 1-1 Rovers (3-5 pens) Jai Rowe scored 3 v Accies Easton has two KDM goals Championship stats > Raith have 34 for & 34 against ⚽ Dylan Easton has 8 goals ⚽ Jack Hamilton has 6 goals Rovers have claimed the trophy three times in four attempts. In season 2013/14 they beat Rangers by a solitary goal in the Ramsden Cup. Former Caley Jag John Baird scored the winner at Easter Road in front of almost 20,000. Having shared the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Trophy in 2019/20 with the Caley Jags; one for you and one for me, they then won it two seasons later when they beat Queen of the South 3-1 at the Excelsior Stadium with two headed goals from Matej Poplatnik and a strike from Ethan Ross. It was then known as the SPFL Trust Trophy. In Season 2022/23 they lost out in the final 1-0 to Hamilton Accies when it was still the SPFL Trust Trophy, with Reghan Tumilty the scorer. That brings us up to date where they play the Caley Jags at Firhill on Sunday 5th April. Hear what the finalists are saying ahead of the game>>>>> Here's the start of the Final Countdown Inverness CT 58pts THE RUN IN Stenhousemuir 57pts ICTFC NO ⛔ GAME 4th April @ 15:00 STENNY v Accies 🏆 KDM FINAL - ICTFC 🏆 5th April @16:10 🏆📺 Raith Rovers 🏆 STENNY v ICTFC - 📺 11th April @17:30 STENNY v ICTFC - 📺 Peterhead v ICTFC - 📺 14th April @19:45 STENNY - No ⛔ Game ICTFC v Kelty Hearts 18th April @15:00 Cove v STENNY East Fife v ICTFC 25th April @15:00 STENNY v Alloa ICTFC v Accies 2nd May @15:00 Montrose v STENNY

Season Opener Starts at Kelty The League campaign kicks off this Saturday and it's the first training ground derby of the season on day one as we visit New Central Park, Kelty. Neither side qualified for the knockout stages of the League Cup with both being thrashed in their final Group fixture. Inverness start the season on minus 5 points as part of the Administration process from last season. We will be looking to start clawing that deficit back as soon as possible, starting on Saturday. With the League Cup Group stages being completed, Alloa have been the surprise package and boosted there ranking with the bookies as serious challengers for League1 promotion. They won their Group C winning all four games and eliminating Dundee in the process. Cove will also fancy their chances of going up. With three new teams in the league this season, it's fresh pastures again with East Fife, Peterhead and Hamilton entering the mix. Hallelujaha! There is a God after all and he is working for the SFA. The Caley Jags red card appeal has been upheld at the Fast Track Tribunal meaning Remi Savage will be available for selection this weekend. The bigger issue is how did he miss the referee and he will require extra training for that... To top that off and out trump Kelty, strikers Alfie Bavidge and Chanka Zimba have been brought into our squad along with defender Mitchell Robertson. Beat that! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alfie Bavidge Chanka Zimba Mitchell Robertson Match/Ticket/Bus/Info Book Tickets HERE Under 12's free with paying adult ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Matchday One Inverness sent this error strewn squad out last week in the ill fated game at Starks Park where we were not at our best as we gifted goals, penalties, own goals and sending offs as if they were going out of fashion. Two down in seven minutes and three down at the interval, it didn't get any better after the break although Wotherspoon did flick one in from a Strachan cross. That seemed to annoy Raith and they promptly got their three goal advantage back before Remi Savage's own goal and subsequent red card after the final whistle. (Appeal upheld since weekend). Not a great day at the office and Scott Kellacher was well aware of our shortcomings. We were without Ross Millen, Calum MacLeod and Paul Allan with MacKinnon still out longer term. Oscar MacIntyre made his debut having just signed from Hibs. That said, it was a poor performance from us while Raith showed why they are in the Championship with a clinical display. With these players out, we were left with a mainly inexperienced bench. Liam Sole is one player who could be a match winner and entertainer with his bag full of tricks. He should be a handful for the best defenders in League1 and I'm predicting he will lift the gloom pretty soon. Wow! It's already lifting with Savage free for selection this weekend. Happy days. SCOTT KELLACHER: No Listen! Waiting to hear...Must be at Belladrum Or was he just busy signing strikers...... Boom! Not one, but two strikers landing at the Caledonian Stadium the day before we meet Kelty. Also brought in defender Mitchell Robertson on loan from Celtic u19's. Take That ye Maroons. Well at least I thought that was what he said 😂. Alfie Bavidge is back on a year long loan and Chanka Zimba signs on a one year deal. Excited much! Kelty were trounced 6-0 by Livingston in their final Group H game last Saturday whilst we were getting gubbed 5-1 at Stark's Park by Raith Rovers. This was Kelty's team at Almondvale , the Home of the Set Fare Arena. The match stats were heavily in favour of promoted Livi with 22 attempts for the Premiership side and just the one for Kelty. They've had better days though. Their best result was holding Kilmarnock to a no scoring draw in Kelty and went on to win the bonus point in the penalty shoot-out. They started with a dominant 4-0 win at Brora but were derailed at home with East Fife winning 1-0 in their following game. Next up was the draw with Killie before the rout at Livingston. Johnston, Cole (x2) and Ferguson were the scorers at Brora. Not much to go on this early in the season so it will be a 'suck it and see' day on Saturday. From last season, Kelty have lost a few including Scot Allan (retired), Cunningham, Lyon and Broadfoot. In have come Alex Ferguson, midfielder (St Johnstone); Craig Clay, midfielder (Dunfermline Athletic); Innes Murray, midfielder (Arbroath); Jack Brydon, defender (Queen of the South); James Graham, forward (Stirling Albion); Aaron Arnott, midfielder (Bonnyrigg Rose); Kai Kirkpatrick, midfielder (Albion Rovers). Latest News from the Kelty Camp: Scotland u19 international defender Jack Wyllie has joined the club on a season long loan deal from Rangers.

Smokies Kippered On a blustery day more akin to AA Milne and Winnie the Pooh, Arbroath and Inverness battled it out to see who would get the final nails hammered into their coffins. Arbroath were in the last chance snug in the last chance saloon, whilst Inverness have one foot in the grave. I don't believe it! Arbroath tried everything, they even took their own wind with them. However, they had Murray, Bird and Slater on from the start but O'Brien missed out. Zak Delaney also started for the Red Lichties. A bright opening spell saw Alex Samuel denied twice inside five minutes. Once by a combination of Max Boruc and his crossbar, the second by Boruc on his own as Samuel got his shot away from inside the box. Wallace Duffy got the goal we deserved on the interval as he drove across the keeper from the right side of the box to put us in ahead at the break. Leighton McIntosh restored parity on the hour as he drilled home from eighteen yards, but Alex Samuel won the points with a late strike to all but relegate ten man Arbroath who had Ricky Little sent off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Arbroath were on the back foot from the off as Inverness had the wind at their backs and Austin Samuel was unlucky not to open the scoring in the fourth minute as he turned and shot from the edge of the box. However Max Boruc brilliantly tipped his shot onto the bar. A minute later he got on the end of a ball in the box and forced another save from Boruc as we looked like turning the Smokies over. Max Anderson was also thwarted by Boruc when through on goal when Anderson should have been bulging the net. Despite our superiority, we struggled thereafter to create that premium opening until the stroke of half time when Wallace Duffy drilled in from the right side of the box. Unfortunately we lost Remi Savage to injury just before the goal and he was replaced by Danny Devine after an accidental kick in the face from Kerr. Half Time: 1-0 Just after the break Billy Mckay saw an effort saved from fifteen yards. However, we made heavy weather of a Smokies foray forward and Leighton McIntosh levelled the game fifteen minutes into the second half with a great strike from the edge of the box. Devine headed badly wide when his threepenny bit head nodded astray as we looked to get our noses back in front and Samuel was denied by Boruc as he ran through on goal, the keeper doing well to deny the striker for the third time. Boruc punced away a Cammy Harper free kick Arbroath were reduced to ten men when persistent fouler Ricky Little was dismissed. Alex Samuel got the goal his tenacious display deserved as he won a ball into the box he had no right to win. He then turned and lashed it home from fifteen yards on the left side of the box, I think he enjoyed that one. Great finish from the wee battler. FULL TIME: 2-1 Alex Samuel scored his fifth goal for the Caley Jags and his first since his hat-trick against Raith Rovers at the end of January. He was the difference between the sides today as Arbroath struggled to cope with his aggressive style which eventually led to his winning goal. Good to see the much maligned Wallace Duffy scoring as well, his second in a couple of weeks having also netted at Tannadice. Sadly for Arbroath they will now be relegated at the end of the season unless they perform a miracle. More match reaction to follow>>> Date: 06/04/2024 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2223 Referee: Colin Steven Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Ridgers; Carragher, Boyes, Savage (Savage 44), Duffy, Kerr, Anderson, Lawal (Longstaff 73), Harper, Samuel, B Mckay (Doran 88) Subs (not used): C Mackay; Ujdur, MacGregor, Brooks, Pepple Scorers: Duffy (45+1), Samuel (80) Booked: none Sent Off: none Arbroath: 1 Manager: Jim McIntyre Lineup: Boruc; Walker (Lyon 64), Slater, Little, Murray (Dow 73), Gold (McKenna 34), Mackinnon, Delaney, Bird (Stowe 73), Stewart, McIntosh Subs (not used): Gaston; Steele, Teale, Jacobs, Robinson Scorers: McIntosh (61) Booked: Little (31), Little (76) Stowe (85) Sent Off: Little (76) a

The wait is over Having lain idle since the 5th of May Championship flop against Ayr United, the long wait for the Scottish Cup Final is over for the Caley Jags. The Semi-Final was played out on the 29th of April, a 3-0 win over Falkirk guaranteeing our place in the final where we will face the daunting task of stopping forty time Cup winners Celtic from winning the treble. Not an easy task I hear you say. However, you've got to be in it to win it, and we find ourselves in our second Scottish Cup Final in eight years. We have a long way to go to catch up with Celtic though as this will be their sixtieth appearance in the final. I imagine the stattos amongst us will be searching their Guinness Book of Records to find out the biggest winning margin in the Scottish Cup Final. I'll save you the bother. Renton 6-1 v Cambuslang on 4th February 1888. Or, ominously, Celtic 6-1 Hibernian on 6th May 1972. Are we about to re-write the record books? Check all the records at Scottish Cup Records. Win or lose, I hope you all enjoy the occasion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The route to the final Inverness struggled to overcome a stubborn Stirling Albion side at our entry level in the Scottish Cup 3rd round. Dale Carrick had opened the scoring in the 27th minute but Wallace Duffy levelled five minutes later. Max Ram then put us ahead five minutes before the break and we all breathed a sigh of relief. However, the Binos were not finished and Carrick scored a second in stoppage time before the interval. With twenty minutes left Aaron Doran scored what proved to be the winner, but credit to the visitors for making us work extra hard to get through to the fourth round. The 4th round tie with Queens Park turned from gloom to joy. After beating Inverness 2-0 on the pitch, Queens Park were dumped out of the Cup for fielding an illegible player in the shape of Euan Henderson. How fortuitous. Has anyone ever won the Cup after being knocked out? The 5th round saw Inverness face Premiership opposition away from home at Livingston. Fear not as Billy Mckay scored a brilliant brace to add to a Sean Welsh header to put us into the quarter final. 6th round was another Premiership scalp with Kilmarnock visiting the Caledonian Stadium on a snowy March evening. Despite suffering an early setback when Vassell scored in the third minute, the Caley Jags dug deep and overcame Killie with a Billy Mckay penalty and a superb Sean Welsh strike in the middle of a snow storm. Semi-Final: It was a re-run of the 2015 final with Inverness taking on Falkirk for for a place in the final. Inverness proved to be too clinical for the Bairns with another brace from Billy Mckay and a superb header from Dan Mackay. Always a step ahead of the Bairns, it was a relatively comfortable passage into the final, where one would imagine Celtic will provide a much sterner test. Hampden Calling... Again Celtic's route to the final: 4th Round: Celtic 5-0 Morton - Mooy x2, Furuhashi x2, Turnbull. 5th Round: Celtic 5-1 St Mirren - Maeda, Hatate x2, Hyeo-gyu, O'Riley. 6th Round: Hearts 0-3 Celtic - Mooy, Furuhashi, Vickers. Semi-Final: Rangers 0-1 Celtic - Jota. Celtic seemed to scrape through their ties scoring fourteen goals for the loss of only two. Surprisingly the bookies see Celtic as favourites to lift the Cup. Meh, what do they know! Inverness warmed up for the final with a hastily arranged kick-about against Dungannon Swifts in County Tyrone on 20th May. It ended 3-1 for Inverness and the whole squad managed to get a kick of the ball at some stage of the game. There was also an alleged closed doors practice against Nairn County. Celtic's month was somewhat fuller. After defeating Rangers in the semi-final on 30th April, they beat Hearts 2-0 at Tynecastle. They followed that by losing 3-0 at Ibrox in the final old firm derby of the season then drew 2-2 with St Mirren. A midweek game at Easter Road on the 24th May resulted in a 4-2 defeat for ten man Celtic. Looks like they're knackered now and we will be full of beans after a month off However, a week before the final, they played their last Premiership game of the season against Aberdeen at Parkhead. That's Aberdeen, the third best placed team in the Scottish Premiership. Looks like they were out in full force this week having rested half their team over the last couple of games and they trounced Aberdeen 5-0. Just let these stats sink in against Scotland's third best football club this season. Celtic--------VVVVVVVV--------Aberdeen Celtic 76% - Possession - 24% Aberdeen Celtic 20 ------- Shots ------- 0 Aberdeen Celtic 8 -- Shots on Target -- 0 Aberdeen Celtic 10 ------ Corners ------ 2 Aberdeen On the plus side, we have knocked Celtic out of the Scottish Cup on three occasions. Contrary to popular belief we did not get to keep them for that. There was the SuperCaleyGoBallistic in 2000, followed by the week after beating Liverpool in the UEFA Cup in 2003 (Henrik Larrson and all), and who can forget the Hand of Josh thriller in the 2015 semi-final before we went on to lift the Cup against Falkirk. Overall, we have beaten Celtic seven times in competitive games and drawn seven times. Stats will show that Celtic have won thirty-four times. Fortunately, stats don't win games. Latest Team News Inverness CT have a full squad to pick from after a month off apart from Sutherland and Walsh. In saying that, the likes of Roddy MacGregor has had little game time in his recovery from injury, so some may not be 100% fit. ***Look back in later in the week to hear from Billy Dodds ahead of the final*** Celtic have a squad full of Eastern promise and full international players. Let's not dwell too much on that. Furuhashi took a knock against Aberdeen but it's not a major concern? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Player of the Season Awards In some sort of clandestine ceremony on Monday night, the seasonal awards were handed over, cloak and dagger style at the Caledonian Stadium. Unsurprisingly Billy Mckay was the big winner. Is it written in the stars for Billy to move level with the legendary Dennis Wyness in this Scottish Cup Final. Now that would be some story! Congratulations to all the winners. Well deserved 🏆 Player of the Year Awards 2022/23 Tonight the winners of our Player of the Year awards were presented with their awards. Players’ Player of the Year 2022-23 was Billy Mckay, as presented by Head Coach Billy Dodds! Players’ Young Player of the Year 2022-23 was Cameron Harper, also presented by Head Coach Billy Dodds. Fans Player of the Year 2022-23 was Billy Mckay, as presented by Laura Grant from the Supporters Trust! Fans Young Player of the Year 2022-23 was Nathan Shaw, as presented by Lady Kath Fraser from the Supporters Trust! Goal of the Season 2022-23 was Billy Mckay’s second goal v Livingston, as presented by Barry Wilson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On yer bike Steve Message from Joonya Many of you may remember The Highland March - a walking event between the final two league matches of ICT's season, of which took place every year from 2003 to 2015. Well, two of us former marchers have come together to do something different in the build up to the Scottish Cup Final. Steve 'Yompa' Taylor (formerly known as 'InterTheNet') will be donning the lycra to cycle from Caledonian Stadium to Hampden Park IN A DAY. Steve sets off at 3am on Tuesday 30th May, and I will be joining him as the support driver. We'll be doing this for charity, with all monies being split equally between MikeysLine and the Celtic Foundation. Both of these charities provide mental health support to people of all backgrounds, in and around Glasgow and the Highlands. We invite you to follow us on Twitter (@Road2Hampden) where you will find the Just Giving page. Please donate what you can, if you can. Thank you 😊🔵🔴 ICT have supported MikeysLine since their inception in 2015, and John Robertson is an ambassador for the charity. They provide Mental Health support to people across Inverness and the Highlands. But why Celtic Foundation too? Over recent years, supporters of the foundation have helped Yompa raise money and awareness for the Solving Kids Cancer charity. It's his way of giving something back, at a time when two teams with history in this competition come head to head in the final. Every donation helps, and we'd like to thank everyone for their support ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FANZONE Here's Scooty & the Skyhooks plus good luck messages The Wyness Shufflers have been busy and here's your Cup Final podcast 'Back to the Future' from the guys RIGHT HERE What's in it for you: Two and a half hours of all things Caley Thistle. The pre-match venue, memorable games with Celtic, ICT Legends with Stuart Golabeck, Ross Tokely, James Vincent, Dennis Wyness and current captain Sean Welsh and don't miss Sandy's Scottish Cup Final tune. Well done guys, a great effort. Your pre-Cup Final entertainment for Caley Jags fans. Provided by the fans for the fans: Get yourself along to The Ferry before the game for some pre-match Shenanigans & Schiehallions. Three bars available Food available Families Welcome Face painting Doors Open: 11:00am Entertainment from 12:00 > 4:00 Bus to game (maybe) BUY TICKETS £4 Where? The Ferry 25 Anderston Quay Glasgow G3 8BX

Better late than never... Here's an appetiser from our site owner Scotty: This article will be a first – in more ways than one. "It’s the first article I have written in quite a while and It’s the first time we will announce two years’ worth of Player of the Year winners in a single article, and as you read through it you will discover more firsts as we go along. First a word about our award history. We first dished this out – to Bobby Mann – in 2000/01 and it has consistently been one of only two external supporters’ awards recognized by the club since then, with the other being the Supporters Club PotY. It was also, until his tragic passing, included in Ian Broadfoot’s comprehensive and official club stats. We take great pride in that and continue to seek to ensure the voting process is handled with fairness and integrity. Without further ado, let’s get going and start talking numbers. Season 2019/2020: The season all started normally enough. COVID & Coronavirus were not yet in the vernacular, social distancing was drinking in a different pub than the opposition fans, and our idea of low crowds was reserved for a wet and windy Tuesday night in the league cup where figures dropped below 1000. The 2019/20 PotY calculation was ‘normal’ from the season start in July, right up to March and then of course with the season being cut short there were no awards for the final three months of the season... OK OK, enough from Scotty, once he starts he won't stop... Before we get too far into this season, we better tell you who has won the CTO Player of the Year trophy. With the previous couple of seasons being disrupted by covid 19, these results were put into cold storage and almost forgotten about. Step forward IBM and ictEWD. These guys have been working tirelessly in the background updating stats, adding current stats/results and new information to this site and keeping the voting polls going. Along with that Eric has produced a wonderful spreadsheet and Iain has collated all the votes over the last two seasons to come up with the Player of the Year for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. It doesn't make it any easier to sort out but the same player has won both titles despite missing a fair chunk of last season through injury, all this despite his hairband! He is our 20th and 21st winner and the first to win it twice. He is very deserving of this award and scored his first goal for the club last season in his 47th appearance, a beauty against Dunfermline after cutting in from the right wing and rifling the ball across the keeper. He won the supporters Player of the Year last season as well. He also picked up the Championship Player of the Month back in March and he has been playing an unfamiliar role at right back since coming back from injury. His hairband is the topic of much discussion. Signing on for another three seasons has ensured him of cult status at the Caledonian Stadium and we look forward to cheering him on for the foreseeable future. 2019-2020 was a close run affair with David Carson (225 votes) edging out another fans favourite Shaun Rooney (206) with Mr consistency Mark Ridgers in third place (196) Carson came from behind with a late run to pip Rooney and Ridgers by winning the polls for February and March. Ridgers had a busy winter topping the votes in November and December with Rooney the main man for some swashbuckling performances in August and January. The top three had pulled well clear of the rest of the field. Scotty clarifies the voting system thus... In the 9 months where there were awards, 3 players each got Player of the Month twice and three more got that accolade once. There were a total of 1842 votes cast over the course of the shortened season, which although down from previous years was still healthy given the circumstances. These were spread amongst a total of 23 players. Over the course of the season the player with the highest number of votes cast for them (regardless of the value of the votes 5/3/1) was David Carson with 225 votes. Second spot for 2019/2020 goes to Shaun Rooney with 206 votes with Mark Ridgers claiming third spot with 196 votes. 2020-2021 turned out to be another success story for David Carson despite missing the start of the season through injury. Such was his impact on return he collected the trophy for an unprecedented second season. It was even tighter in this shortened season with only three votes separating the top two. David Carson - 134 🏆 Scott Allardice - 131 🥈 Nikolay Todorov - 112 🥉 So, belated congratulations to David. Monthly winners starting in October Dan Mackay in April - No doubt for his stunning goal and performance in the Scottish Cup against Ross County. He has won a few accolades since signing for Inverness, but none so prestigious as the CTO Player of the Year. Above he can be seen in the supporters Player of the Year photo <pic from ICTFC> below he is brandishing the Scottish Championship Player of the Month for March. Here's David with the Championship Player of the Month in March 2021 Here's our Bio of your CTO PotY for the last two seasons: David Carson spent his early career with Ashington. In 2014, Carson signed for Blackburn Rovers but he returned to non-league, playing with South Shields, Whitby Town and Morpeth Town from whence he came to ICT from on a free transfer on 15 May 2019. His last season in Evo-Stik East League saw the 23-year-old named league player of the season, as well as making the league team of the year, as Morpeth Town secured a league and Cup double. When Carson signed for Scottish Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, John Robertson tipped him for success. He had made 37 appearances for Inverness but he had yet to score although he likes a yellow card gaining 8 bookings prior the the 20/21 season. David missed the start of season 20/21 through injury. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 win over Dunfermline in his 47th appearance following MotM performances in his previous three games at right back. David has extended his stay by adding three years to his contract announced on 15th April 2021 which keeps him at Inverness until end of season 2024 and was the supporters player of the year choice.

Deal or no Deal After a season that promised so much, went tit's up then almost recovered in time to make the play-offs, we head into season 2021-2022 without some familiar faces but also some new ones as we continue our drive to get back to the Premiership. Are the cards on the table or have some already played their hand. So far Tom Walsh is the first 'new player' to sign on, let's hope there's plenty more to come. *This page will be updated as new contracts are announced* ICTFC SQUAD UPDATE 15th June Billy Mckay 16th June Manny Duku 16th June Reece McAlear loan deal 17th June Welcome Michael Gardyne 17th June Kirk Broadfoot incoming 11th July The Boss: Neil McCann filled in for John Robertson with help from Billy Dodds when Robbo went on compassionate leave. They almost guided us back on track but we came up just short of a play-off place. Neil & Billy have been showered with plaudits from the Caley Jags support for their help but the time is right for the Boss to return. John Robertson will be back, but not as manager. He is moving upstairs as Sporting Director. So, apply within. Neil McCann did his best to sell the club to prospective signings as he left the Caledonian Stadium. Thanks Neil, good job well done. Deal: First and foremost, Billy Dodds is the new Head Coach signing a two year deal. He replaces John Robertson and interim Manager Neil McCann and after a CV sift he has emerged as the new man at the wheel. Good luck Billy. At the end of last season, we quickly extended the contracts of four of our promising young team. Defenders Harry Nicolson and Ryan Fyffe along with midfielder Lewis Hyde. Injured wide player Anthony McDonald was given another year to show his worth after his second spell with us was a total write-off when he was injured in training. A subsequent operation will hopefully have him ready for the new season. Already dealt: Mark Ridgers: One of the best keepers in the Championship (2022) Wallace Duffy: Young defender who missed latter part of season through injury (2022) Danny Devine: Proved his worth in a solid back four (2022) Robbie Deas: Great first season for Robbie, filled in at left back as well and now capped at u21. (2023) Cameron Harper: Made left back his own until injury, great young player and also capped at u21. (2022) Roddy MacGregor: Talented midfielder, getting stronger, superb prospect and another u21 cap. (2022) Sean Welsh: Influential captain, penalty taker and midfield creator (2022) Scott Allardice: Explosive first season, joint players PotY, midfield powerhouse (2023) David Carson: PotY & CTO PotY, what an engine whether at full back or midfield (2024) New Deal - Coming back for more: Shane Sutherland: More to offer and signed a one year extension (2022) Welcome (Back) to the Caledonian Stadium: Tom Walsh: Returns for a second spell at the Caley Jags after an injury curtailed season at Ayr United and the exciting wide player has penned a two year deal until the end of May 2023. He scores when he wants: Billy Mckay returns to the Caledonian Stadium after serving time on the dark side. (2 year deal) Incoming from Raith Rovers: 28 year old Striker Manny Duku signs a one year deal. !0 goals for Raith last season. Michael Gardyne: Is taking the plunge and stepping up to the top team in the Highlands from the village pub team in Dingwall. (1 year deal) Loan Deal: Its a 1 year loan deal for midfielder Reece McAlear who comes in from Norwich City. Late signing: Inverness have struck a deal to sign Kirk Broadfoot. The former Scotland international has agreed an initial one year deal with an option. Caley Thistle boss Billy Dodds has convinced the ex-Rangers star to move to the Highlands. The deal will also see Broadfoot start his coaching career with the academy at Inverness. No Deal - Who is in the departure lounge: Daniel Mackay: What a season Dan had. Young PotY and goal of the season against County in the Cup. Hibs snapped up Dan with a year left on his contract for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be six figures. Massive potential, Dan has left the building having scored 12 goals in 57 appearances for the Caley Jags, 9 in his final season. Lewis Toshney: left before the end of the season after injury curtailed his appearances. James Keatings: injury prone season saw him leaving for Raith Rovers on a PCA. Scott Allan: Loan expired and returned to Hibs. What a talent, will be missed. Arran Lyall: Loan expired, promising wide player, returned to Rangers. Brad Mckay: Much maligned defender, played his part in miserly back four but he is off to Falkirk on a 3 year deal after five seasons at Inverness with 164 appearances scoring 8 goals. Nikolay Todorov: Turned down improved contract and will not be coming back after finishing the season strongly scoring 11 goals. James Vincent: is leaving after making 106 appearances and scoring 7 goals. One in particular will never be forgotten as we lifted the Scottish Cup in 2015. ⚽🏆 Kevin McHattie: His injury hit career at Inverness is over after just 39 appearances. Always a good professional. Miles Storey: Promises so much, seldom delivers... had been speaking with Billy Dodds but has allegedly rejected a new deal and will leave. Martin Mackinnon: Third choice keeper moving on. Shane Harkness: Not getting game time and moving on. Waiting to play their cards: Cammy Mackay: Reserve keeper while Ridgers is here, would need to go elsewhere for a regular start but has turned up for training. Aaron Doran: Seems like the fragile wide player has been here forever and is down to turn up for training for the start of the new season. Mackay and Doran look as though they will be here this season although no confirmation anywhere??? Kevin McHattie: Injury hit season, his time is up at Inverness. James Vincent: Bit part player, allegedly the dream is over for Cup hero??? Nikolay Todorov: Almost got us there, scored some great goals (11) last season... Martin Mackinnon, Shane Harkness, Kane Davies??? New Hands: Stepping up from the Academy, Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC are delighted to announce that Academy Graduates Ethan Cairns, Robbie Thompson, Lewis Nicolson, Alisdair Riddle and Harry Hennem have signed their first professional contracts with the club. Read More. Other home grown talent in the squad include Cameron Harper, Roddy MacGregor, Ryan Fyffe, Lewis Hyde, Harry Nicolson and keeper Cammy Mackay. Let's shuffle the pack? Kane Davies - Waiting for information? 2021: C Mackay, Doran, waiting for info? 2022: M Ridgers, Duffy, Devine, Harper, MacGregor, Welsh. 2023: Allardice, Deas, Carson - 2024

Inverness, Scottish Cup Winners How good does that feel! What a day that was, one that started for me at five in the morning when the alarm went off in North Kessock and ended in Edinburgh around midnight with a grin etched on the face. Inverness Caledonian Thistle are the 2015 Scottish Cup winners. Many made massive sacrifices for the cause, coming from around the globe. It was well worth it in the end, although in true tradition, we don't do anything the easy way and that was credit to Falkirk who can count themselves a tad unlucky after a courageous second half performance where Inverness weathered the storm to eventually lift the cup after having to play out the final twenty minutes with ten men. We went in at the break a goal to the good after getting to grips with the game halfway through the first period, Marley Watkins finishing with aplomb after a seven man move. Carl Tremarco was sent packing after 75 minutes after he mis-controlled a ball and then scythed down Blair Alston as he sped goalwards. Schoolboy error from Carl that was punished five minutes later when Peter Grant headed powerfully home from the vacant left back position. However, an unlikely hero came forward and James Vincent applied the finishing touch after Jamie MacDonald spilled a Watkins shot. The rest is history. The fans were in good spirits in the build up to the game and plenty of shouting juice had passed the lips. Inside the stadium there was a marvellous card display from the Inverness end and it was a pleasure to be part of it. Massive congratulations to all who set that one up, it looked fantastic. Inverness fans were dealt a blow before kick off as semi hero David Raven was out which left us with an unfamiliar back four. Esson in goal but in front of him, only Josh Meekings was in his normal position. Devine replaced the suspended Gary Warren and Carl Tremarco was at left back with departing captain Graeme Shinnie filling in at right back with Raven missing. Danny Williams was on the bench and Aaron Doran started. Falkirk were minus the cup-tied Mark Kerr and John Baird, but Rory Loy started, despite Houston claiming he might not make it. A bright afternoon saw Falkirk get off to the better start, but it was a typical cup final, all a bit cagey in the opening exchanges, nobody wanting to make the first mistake. Whilst always keeping the fans attention, there was little goalmouth action with defences on top as Inverness began to edge their way forward with around twenty minutes gone. Ryan Esson was eventually called into action and comfortably saved a low shot from Will Vaulks from outside the box. Vaulks fired a vicious shot from thirty yards eight minutes later and that one had the Falkirk fans off their seats as the ball ruffled the top corner of the net. Alas for the Bairns, it was the wrong side of the net. Closest call yet though, phew! We were not at our best but at least we were not behind. That close shave seemed to alert Inverness to the dangers and Aaron Doran brought a save from Macdonald as we started to pass the ball better, although the defence were needing more help from the front men who were not holding onto the ball. Shinnie then had our best attempt so far as he fired a shot come cross wide with Watkins lurking, and it was evident the tide was turning. Watkins then had a shot saved as it went straight at the keeper and a corner followed soon after. We were now controlling the pace of the game and the 38th minute saw Inverness go ahead with a wonderful team goal. Falkirk lost possession deep in the Inverness half. We transferred the ball smartly up the right side in a seven man move. The final touches saw Aaron Doran slip a tidy ball through to Marley Watkins and his pace and power saw him drift goalwards to slide the ball past MacDonald for the opening goal. Scenes of Red and Blue in the Inverness end as jubilation broke out in the stands. The dream was now in full swing as the half ended with Inverness on top. Half Time 1-0 I don't know what Houston said at half time, but it transformed the Bairns. They were up for this and we would have to weather the storm as they surged forward looking for a leveller. Vaulks was the main threat and he went close again five minutes after the restart. On the hour mark and Blair Alston lifted a shot just over inside a packed box as Falkirk upped the pace. Inverness were by now finding the Bairns to be more of a handful than they should have been as they won successive corners and Vaulks again shot over. Substitute Botti Bia Bi went very close soon after and manager of the year John Hughes decided to make a change. Little did he know how important that change would be as he introduced James Vincent for young player of the year Ryan Christie. With 75 minutes on the clock, Carl Tremarco was invited to leave the field by Willie Collum after he lost the ball then brought down Alston. No complaints this time though as Collum had little option. Tremarco was distraught and Inverness would have to play out the game with ten men. Vaulks again tested Esson from close range as the Bairns smelled blood and went for the jugular. Inverness were reduced to frantic defending and the fans were watching through their fingers as the final twenty minutes would take a lifetime to pass. Within five minutes of Tremarco leaving, Falkirk were level. A free kick on the left flank saw Alston pick out Peter Grant who wanted it most and he flashed a powerful header high into the net for a not undeserved equaliser. Game on. James Vincent went to right back with Shinnie moving over to the left as Inverness re-jigged after the sending off. There was nothing else for it but to get up the park and have a go or face the prospect of extra time and penalties. That threat disappeared when Watkins pace saw him break forward to surge clear of the defence with Falkirk caught up the other end. He slowed down outside the box and tried to curl a low shot to the left of the keeper. Now then, I've seen better shots but MacDonald fluffed his lines as he dived low to his left. He only succeeded in pushing the ball to the left side of the box and James Vincent who had made a lung bursting run to catch up with Watkins got to the loose ball first and knocked it into the empty net. Absolute pandemonium in the Inverness end once more and there were only five more minutes of normal time to hold on to our advantage. Luke Leahy went close in the ninetieth minute as Falkirk tried to scramble the game towards extra time and five minutes of time added on saw a huge sigh from the Highlanders. Nick Ross replaced Man of the Match Marley Watkins with three minutes remaining but Falkirk could not find that elusive second goal and the end result was just fantastic for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and their fans who were singing and dancing in the Hampden Stands. Full Time 2-1 It was tough and hard to bear for the Falkirk fans who had witnessed their team give their all, but it's all about scoring the most goals and we did just that. More scenes of Red and Blue followed as the Inverness contingent stayed to cheer the victors and witness the Cup presentation. Graeme Shinnie leaves for Aberdeen now, but he might never experience this again, as he kissed the cup and waved it above his head, duly followed by the rest of the squad. What a moment to be a Caley Thistle fan. 21 years in the making but a combined 239 years of magnificent history. Celebratory beers were the order of the day and I met up with some Falkirk fans in the Horseshoe Bar where Gordon Mason presented me with a trophy off his back. He gave me a Falkirk shirt and wished us all well. Great fans and a credit to their club. MotM will be going to Marley Watkins who scored the first and made the second with a little help from Jamie Macdonald. In truth, and here is the unsavoury bit, there were not too many contenders for the title, most players having an off day. Danny Devine was better than most and Graeme Shinnie, as always, gave everything. We struggled up front and Eddie Ofere has had better days. In fairness to him, we rarely got the ball forward so it's hardly his fault. Carl Tremarco will be disappointed but he performed well up to that point. It is unfair to pick out anyone though, good or bad so I'll leave it there and say congratulations to everybody from the ball boys to the the fans, what an achievement for our club. Steve Hislop and Bobby Mann were not far off in their predictions and I met Barry Wilson after the game as well, all in all, a great day out and there would be another one on Sunday as the Cup was paraded through Inverness. Match Highlights... Celebrations continue in Inverness... Date: 30/05/15 Venue: Hampden Park Attendance: 37149 Referee: Willie Collum Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Esson, Shinnie, Meekings, Devine, Tremarco, Christie (Vincent 72), Draper, Tansey, Doran (Williams 78), Watkins (Ross 93), Ofere Subs (not used): Mackay, Horner, Polworth, Kink Scorers: Watkins (38), Vincent (86) Booked: None Sent Off: Tremarco (75) Falkirk: 1 Lineup: MacDonald, Duffie, McCracken, Grant, Leahy, Alston, Vaulks, Taiwo, Sibbald, Smith (Bia Bi 63), Loy (Morgan 95) Subs (not used): Muirhead, Bowman, Dick, Cooper, Blair Scorers: Grant (80) Booked: Taiwo (76) Sent Off: None

Inverness extend their stay at the top Inverness failed to set the heather on fire but did enough to earn their chips at Auchterarder as they beat SPFL strugglers Kilmarnock by the odd goal in three. Richie Foran, the SPFL player of the month, and N Ireland international striker Billy McKay scored for the visitors with Barry Nicholson getting the last touch in a bizarre goal for Killie. This was an error strewn match but manager of the month Terry Butcher's side always had the edge over a disappointing Kilmarnock who looked more like a pub side than a team playing in the top division in Scotland. Immortal Howden Ender took a break from ghost duties to write this report for us..................... Well I suppose that the old cliche says that it takes a good team to take three points away from home when they are not performing at their best. That was a rather uninspiring performance but we were still streets ahead in regard to quality and endeavour - and if we had scored a second early doors we could have cruised home in comfort. As it was we were happy to hear the final whistle although we never looked like or deserved to be losing two points. Lets liken it to the Bazooka Joe experience - or probably Hubba Bubba to the yoof - I can recall blowing this massive bubble until it popped and stuck to ma face. It would then take ages to peel the debris off and ages to get the energy to blow another fecker up. But I still have this big bubble in front of me and it ain't going to burst easily. And I suspect that if it does I will comfortably peel the debris off, unwrap a new chewy and start blowing it up again. This ICT side really do have the togetherness factor and are simply not going to implode. They may stutter but they could explode again. We decided not to stir up the spirits in the Hunting Lodge but drank some spirits in the Portmann Hotel - which is recommended for future Killie trips. There was a rather subdued support today and averaged in the 40+ years and that is why we didn't bounce to the Ultra ditty until just on full time !! As fer the game - not one to write home for - but Foran netted again after 5 minutes. If he had been found the first time he would have been offside but by the time the second attack came round he was in the perfect position. If we had got a second soon after - and we clearly went fer it - we could have feckin hammered them. We were by far the better team in the first 45 and perhaps Doran could have netted one of his two chances. But we went more and more on the back foot and allowed Killie to pass the ball although they never did anything in the last third. Their equaliser evidently came as a shock and Nicholson benefited from a lucky ricochet off a Shinnie clearance which left Brill with no chance. It did kick us back into life and McKay lobbed home a beauty to take the lead again. But instead of capitalising we seemed to sit back and look to score on the break. To me that was tactically wrong and let Killie more in to the game and us resorting more and more to the hoof. I would have to say that I was actually disgusted by the tactics employed when we got a corner with 4 minutes to go. We put ONE feckin player in the box and went to time waste. Sure, that may have gained us two very valuable points but it was negative and disappointing in the extreme. But as the final whistle blew we were / are still TOP of the league and deservedly so. The brethren again paid homage to the footballing gods as TB emerged from his pulpit and led the faithful in the celebratory homage. To me - Foran has been a revelation this season and was my MotM by a country mile. Just behind him was a more difficult choice but I would plump fer Meekings and Draper. It is probably homage to the defensive unit that Brill is still relatively untested. He had no chance with the dodgy goal and had only one real save which may have been going wide anyway. His distribution however waned in the second half. Raven was solid enuff although TB must have been pished off that he managed to play half an hour in a brilliant white and un blooded head bandage. Warren was solid if not as effective as usual. Boyd is still a handful if not well past his SPL sell by date. Shinnie is as good an attacking wingback as there is - especially in comparison to Lee Wallace. Ross and Doran looked good at times but were employed more in a defensive role. Poor Vincent worked his socks off but can anybody tell me what his feckin role was today. McKay again ploughed a lone furrow but his chip was worthy of winning any game. I really hope that today was horses for courses and we are more attacking at the Hill of Dung. But I and you can probably put up with another week of adrenaline and serotonin surge. Date: 14.09.2013 Venue: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock Attendance: 3063 Referee: Steven Mclean Kilmarnock: 1 Lineup: Samson, Clohessy, Irvine, Tesselaar, McKeown, Nicholson, Fowler (Pascali 70), Jacobs (Stewart 76), Gros (Ibrahim 46), Gardyne, Boyd Subs (not used): Reguero, O'Hara, Ashcroft, Pooler Scorers: Nicholson (51) Booked: Pascali (76) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Draper, Foran, Ross, Vincent (Williams 81), Doran, McKay (Agdestein 85). Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Greenhalgh, Tremarco, Polworth Scorers: Foran (6), McKay (56) Booked: Shinnie (86) Sent Off: none

CTO Player of the Year 2018/19 - COLL DONALDSON Players of the Month Month Player August R.Calder / Tom Walsh September Mark Ridgers October Coll Donaldson November C.Donaldson / M.Ridgers December Tom Walsh January Tom Walsh February Coll Donaldson March Aaron Doran April Jamie McCart May Charlie Trafford The CaleyThistleOnline.com player of the year awards started back in season 2000-2001, and is one of only two external supporter awards recognised by the club and also recorded in Ian Broadfoot's official club stats. We take great pride in that and continue to seek to ensure the voting process is handled with fairness and integrity. The results over the last 18 years have usually been a pretty good indicator of the season that had just passed and this season's votes seem no different than previous years in that respect. From reading the forums and the supporter assessments of the players on a weekly basis, I would hazard a guess that most fans would easily be able to rhyme off the top 5 or 6 names quite easily. This year however was the first time we had the little wrinkle that is the playoffs to add some spice to the run-in. With a 7 point lead going into the last official league game of the season, last year's runner-up Coll Donaldson was in pole position to take the plaudits. Could he maintain that or could someone catch him? There were a total of 2981 votes cast this season which was an 22% increase on last year. These votes were cast for a total of 23 different players over the course of the season. The season covered 10 months and two players each won 'Player of the Month' three times (Donaldson & Walsh), one player (Ridgers) earned it twice, and 4 other players took it for a single month (Calder, Doran, McCart and Trafford). If you are thinking that that adds up to 12 you are right !!! In August, the Player of the Month plaudits were shared between Walsh and Calder and in November it was shared between Donaldson and Ridgers ! The graphic below shows the number of votes cast each month regardless of 5/3/1 point value. We use this total number of votes cast to determine the player of the month standings. Over the course of the season the player with the highest number of votes cast for them (regardless of the value of the votes 5/3/1) was Coll Donaldson with 390 votes. Last year he finished in second spot with 338 votes so a very consistent young man in his Caley Thistle career so far. Second spot this year goes to Tom Walsh with 282 votes with the next three spots being taken up by Doran, Polworth and Ridgers who are all over the 250 vote mark. We noted last year that Iain Vigurs had been very dominant in pickling up POY points every month and that this wasnt a regular occurence .... Well, as if to prove us wrong, it happened again this year ! Of course it is easy to guess who did it, yup, Coll Donaldson picked up POY points every month and has equalled the Vigurs achievement of last year. A special mention has to go to Jamie McCart though .... Having amassed a grand total of 11 POY points through the first 8 months of the season he earned 26 in the months of April and May to shoot up the rankings and finish fifth. If the season had lasted a month longer he might have even caught up with the leaders. The final total for the year has Coll Donaldson retaining the lead he has held all season and finishing with 62 points. In second place is Aaron Doran with 52 and the next three are Liam Polworth and Tom Walsh in 3rd equal spot and Jamie McCart as mentioned pushing Mark Ridgers out of 5th spot to claim it for himself. Well done Coll, and to all the boys for a season where we almost got there on two fronts ... onwards and upwards and hopefully one step further next year.

Rendalls Rambles #1 Enjoy a walk down memory lane with Caley Jags and world football fan James Rendall. He's a well travelled football connoisseur who has been following the Caley Jags from the start. He has put together a fascinating nostalgic review of Inverness Caledonian Thistle's first 25 years as witnessed through his own eyes. Thanks James, a remarkable commitment to the beautiful game. Take a walk in James' shoes and relive the early days, with added input from CTO fans.............. The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Years #25 No.1 1994/95 (Games 1 to 20) There wasn't an exact moment I pinned my tail on Caledonian Thistle as they were known then. On the very same night as the club trotted out at Firs Park, Falkirk to face the Shire in its first ever competitive game, I chose to see my first ever Faroese team in HB (Havnar Bóltfelag) who oddly were visiting Fir Park! A bit like buses, the Faroese National side came by Hampden a couple of months later, going down 5-1. The legacy of post Meadowbank blues was still with me, and while I was drawn to both North clubs, the very fact the Inverness club was a cleansheet, a new club was the factor that swung it. My first ever Caley Thistle game was a 3-1 win at Telford Street versus Forfar in September, a rare moment of first season joy against the side who would romp away with the title. Indeed, by mid April I was at Victoria Park, Dingwall the day The Loons clinched promotion, and the final brilliant hoorah of an average campaign for Caley Thistle was thumping Ross County at Telford Street 3-0, a result that prevented them from going up ahead of us The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Years #25 No2 1995/96 (Games 21 to 61) The club were bedding in better, red had been rightly added to the club colours and we were putting teams away with greater ease. The first programme here was the first of two back to back 0-5 away wins, but ultimately we'd come up short of promotion perhaps distracted by a wonderful Cup run, that included a last minute equaliser at old Bayview with East Fife and a subsequent penalty victory on the coldest Monday night ever! After another higher league side in Stenhousemuir were beaten 1-0 away in the next round, we drew Rangers at home for the only time thus far in our history in the Quarter Final. The game was eventually moved to Tannadice but with Gascoigne, McCoist and Brian Laudrup all playing for the opposition, we gave a battling performance, if beaten 0-3. It gave us a taste of the Scottish Cup as a new club, but the two component parts had long loved Cup ties. A lockout at Perth by virtue of the extraordinary number who ventured south, a classic tie at old Brockville in a blizzard v Stirling Albion were two memories of Caledonian, while Thistle had beaten Kilmarnock 3-0 as well as gaining notoriety for the longest cancelled Cup game with Falkirk in history! The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Years, #25 No.3 1996/97 (games 62 to 96) In our third season in the league the new club was beginning to find its feet, and new heroes were developing. Having struggled with the loss of Meadowbank and even more so, my father, this was the season where I finally moved on too and really felt part of the new ICT nation. No one could know what would unfold in the coming years but this was to be quite a dramatic campaign and the start of a journey! Inverness was added to the name, the best thing they decided to do, as well as giving us notoriety for the longest name in European club football! The club also moved away from Telford Street, the home of Caledonian, allowing the ghost of both club to be finally left behind, although the new ground still carries the Caledonian name, a mistake in my opinion, especially if you are looking to heal wounds. It is odd how football regularly offers a sense of symmetry, with Arbroath acting as the first ever league opponent in August 1994, and the last at Telford Street with Ian Stewart and Brian Thomson scoring the goals in a 2-0 win. The wee star, Ian Stewart was at it again a month later scoring the club's first goal at the new Caledonian Stadium with low key opening day visitors in Albion Rovers, who nicked an equaliser in front of a full house. The stadium has evolved a lot since then, and the road behind the stand is a main stay of the Inverness road system, but considering what it cost, and when you look at Falkirk's main stand etc, the need for that road reduced the availability of funds to build a proper mainstand! By March, messers Stewart and Thomson were at it again in a 3-0 win over the wee team, Ross County, a result that kept ICT top of the league and the wee Dingwall mob in its place! By the time symmetry came round again in the shape of Albion Rovers a month later, Caley Thistle were relishing the wider expanse of the new stadium, and another Ian Stewart brace, as well as a Barry Wilson goal and a rare Marco de Barros strike gave us a 4-1 win and clinched the Third Division title. Who would join us going up was still in the balance going to into the penultimate fixture. Forfar who had gone up in our first season must have come straight back down, and in our last home game of the season the party was not spoiled by a 0-4 first league loss at the new ground. The win kept Forfar second on goal difference from Ross County, and the following week I went to Station Park to see the Loons finish the job beating Queen's Park to step up with us. It would be years before County would find the promotion formula Next two installments coming up weekly............. You can read all about James' worldwide footballing travels in his own excellent blog FOOTBALL ADVENTURES WITH JAMES RENDALL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our own Mantis can go back further than most, and he was there on day one....... I was at the Shire game where Wilsie scored the first ever goal - the date is easy to remember as it’s my brother’s birthday. Followed up on the Saturday with the 5-2 v Arbroath and the following midweek at Dundee where the away strip got its first airing. Red and white stripes and blue shorts. In those days, midweek games kicked off at 7.30. I then missed a 4-0 hammering at home to Queens Park (boo!) and the Wilsie-inspired cuffing of County at Dingwall (big regrets), before we won at Albion Rovers with a second half strike from ‘spineless Norman’ (Monty Python reference for the young team). I fished out my season ticket for the 3-1 defeat of Forfar, which took us to the top of the league, with Dick Campbell moaning that we were a long ball team, despite having Charlie Christie, John Scott and Mike Noble in the team. I think the season ticket was about £45, maybe £50, which sounds very cheap as I think it was £4 at the gate. My final game, coincidentally, was a 1-0 defeat at Firs Park in April, featuring out of retirement Billy Urquhart, who had been at the first game as a supporter. My tally for the season was only 11 matches though, as like the team, I fell away badly after exiting the Scottish Cup, and I was still not the biggest fan of the merger. That second season, 95-96, was a low in my attendance at games. The whole ICT thing hadn't really caught fire for me after the merger, and I ended up seeing only 9 matches. Steve Paterson had taken over from Sergei, thankfully, and it wasn't all that long before the difference began to show, in the playing style and the results. The team finished the season in 3rd place behind Livi and Brechin (but ahead of County naturally) but was to sweep all before them the following year. If I'm honest, I showed up at a few games just to notch some new grounds, but I got my Caley Thistle news from the small band of regulars who travelled away with Caley Thistle, notably John Stewart, ex-Caley committee and his sons, one of whom is of course David, the MSP, and the other, Alan, who is a regular on here. I also became a regular traveller with big Dougie Lynn, and through him, met Ken MacDonald from Point in Lewis who, of course, is the father of big Lewis. The season started for me at Cliftonhill where 2 goals from Herchie looked to have won it before Rovers equalised in the last minute. Then a goalless draw at Brechin which we really should have won. A place which became a happy hunting ground for ICT in later years. Apparently Charlie scored a late equaliser at Telford Street to salvage a point against Alloa but, unusually, I can't recall anything of the game. A week before Xmas we had a dour 0-0 draw at Cowdenbeath in front of 230, although at the time I thought there were more people in the main street to see Santa and his sleigh before the game ? In the New Year, a highlight was beating Livi 2-0 at Almondvale with late goals from Christie and Teasdale. But of course the icing on the cake, as it so often was with Caley Thistle, was the Cup. I missed the legendary Herch-inspired comeback v Livi and jumped in at the East Fife stage. As Steve Archibald substituted himself late on in the replay, thinking the game was won, a wee bit of the future ICT spirit was revealed with a late Herchie equaliser and a cool 3-1 win on spot kicks. This led to the famous win at Ochilview as the team, backed by a healthy following, progressed due to a Luggy screamer with 15 minutes to go. From my acquaintances in the game, I can exclusively reveal that Terry Christie was so depressed by this result that the Stenhousemuir board and some of his friends had to talk him out of resigning. Then there was the Rangers game at Tannadice. A taste of things to come for ICT. Although we were well beaten in the end, most of us would have been happy with a goal, and we almost got one, courtesy of John Scott's drive which flashed narrowly over (I'm sure he went on to be a star somewhere ? ). For me, the ICT passion would be ignited next season. Here is TheMantis' own pre-merger site at Caley Nostalgia................ Thanks Mantis.

Honest Men come North It's heading towards Tam O' Shanter time as the Honest Men head North to tackle the Chapman Billies at the Caledonian Stadium in Inverness. Ayr have been a revelation this term and a breath of fresh Ayr has certainly breathed some life into the Championship with Lawrance Shankland being one of the reasons they sit at the business end of the table. They sit second in the League only three points behind County. Ayr thrashed Dundee United 5-0 at Tannadice at the end of November, but since then they have drawn three and lost last week against Falkirk. Top scorer Lawrance Shankland missed that one and looks like missing out again. Our last two games have ended in defeat. We went down 2-1 in the Highland derby and threw away a lead against Queen of the South last week as two goals in a minute turned the game on it's head. It was a similar tale in the derby where we had the better of the game but ended up losing all three points, sums up the season so far. Due to a postponement at Somerset Park, we have only played Ayr once. That game ended goalless despite Ayr being reduced to ten men when Daniel Harvie was sent off in the first half. Ayr have a plethora of possible call offs which could include Lawrance Shankland, Mark Kerr, and Liam Smith . Andrew Geggan is back after suspension but midfielder Andrew Murdoch has reached the yellow card threshold and misses this game. Jamie Adams and Alan Forrest will definitely be out. For Inverness, Shaun Rooney serves the second of his two match ban and Brad Mckay has to serve a one match ban for accumulated bookings. Rumours also abound that possibly as many as three unnamed players might be down with the flu. Kevin McHattie could be involved given that at least two of our first choice defenders are out. George Oakley is still sidelined. Back up keeper Daniel Hoban has been loaned out to Forfar Athletic for the remainder of the season. Keeper Cammy Mackay has returned from Rothes and will cover for Mark Ridgers when required. Here's Kevin McHattie talking ahead of tomorrow's game. The Official Digital Online Programme is available HERE I asked the Bard for a prediction, he came up with this:- “The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley. An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy! In other words, it might not go to plan, which might annoy the fans................ Thanks Robbie. Another draw it is then! He also had some advice for Robbo:- “O, wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us! It wad frae monie a blunder free us, An' foolish notion.” Aye, well said Robbie, I'm sure our own Robbo will take that on board bard. Enjoy yer haggis & neeps peeps. If you like a wee flutter, our new partnership with FansBet can offer you something. Just click on FansBet to get started. "Remember to select CaleyThistleOnline when you register and you’ll be helping us support ICT fan causes." FansBet are partners with Supporters Direct Scotland and already have many impressive stories of giving back to and empowering fans, ranging from funding away travel, share purchases, backing safe standing projects and many more. You can read some of FansBet’s Giving Back stories on their blog at https://blog.fansbet.com/fansbet-giving-back/partners/fan/ Always remember to adopt safe gambling and responsible policies.

Tannadice test Inverness head to Tannadice this weekend and Caley Stan is yer man with a Preview to set up this clash for you. Dundee United are now spending a third consecutive season in the second tier of Scottish football. It feels weird to write that. Even though I don’t remember much about the eighties (youth not drugs), their incredible achievements throughout that decade (League Champions, UEFA Cup finalists, European Cup semi-finalists, perennial conquerors of FC Barcelona) formed a veneer of great stature around the club that barely seemed to diminish through the many years of mediocrity that followed. But relegation, boardroom wrangling, falling crowds and home defeats to the likes of Dumbarton and Ross County have taken their toll. Csaba Laszlo was sacked with the club on its knees, staring down the barrel of a fourth year out of the top flight, their grand history looking more and more like a curiosity, the answer to an obscure quiz question. Dundee were once European Cup semi-finalists too, you know. Isn’t that funny. History of the Fixture Won 16 Drawn 17 Lost 18 We first played Dundee United in the Scottish Cup Fourth Round of 1998 when a Paul Sheerin goal saw us lead at for the best part of an hour at Tannadice before a late Kjell Oloffson strike forced a replay. The replay was unforgettable – Gary McSwegan appeared to have finished the tie when he put United 2-0 up in the 85th minute. Then, in a turn of events that was typical of the Pele era, a quickfire Brian Thomson goal was followed, in the dying seconds, by the best goal of all time from Mark McCulloch. Lars Zetterlund won it for United in extra time, but the crowd of almost 6000 (yes, 6000 for a midweek replay) left elated – we had just gone toe-to-toe with an established top tier side for the first time in our history. The two sides didn’t meet again until 2004, and we failed to get the better of them in our first six attempts following promotion, though goals from Liam Fox and Barry Wilson saw us come out on top in a 2005 League Cup tie in Inverness. Our maiden league victory over United took place at Tannadice in February of the following year, and in some style. Craig Brewster had left Caley to take over there just a month before, threatening to take some of our best players (and David Proctor) with him. But Charlie Christie had us purring at the time, and while United led twice through two stunning free-kicks from Charlie Mulgrew, Darren Dodds headed home in between to keep us in the game before Wyness and Dargo ran riot - each getting on the scoresheet before Alan Morgan sealed the 4-2 victory. There have been some cracking encounters since, like this 4-0 stroll in the Caley Park, the time we went 3-0 down after 8 minutes but still felt gutted to leave with a point, and another time we did them 4-0 at Tannadice that I can’t find on youtube. League Form Dundee United Last 6: DDWLLW ICT Last 6: DWWDDD The two sides are tied on 14 points, though we have a game in hand and a superior goal difference. Our 19-game unbeaten run started 7 months ago with a 1-1 draw at Tannadice, but it’s starting to look tired. United won at Firhill last week in Robbie Nielson’s first game in charge after consecutive defeats put Laszlo out of his misery. With over a thousand Arabs making the trip to Maryhill, and a big crowd expected to welcome the new manager, it feels like circumstances might matter more than form on this occasion. Basically, it’s a crap time for us to be going there. Teams and Tactics Robbos’s faith in the White-headed 4-2-3-1 that was so effective at Dunfermline seemed to finally waver in the second half last week, with the half-time introduction of Daniel MacKay and subsequent sightings of Calder and Austin. However, I still fully expect to see the same starting eleven and shape – it’s at its best away from home against proactive opponents and is therefore ideal for this game. George Oakley is back in training but won’t feature tomorrow, while the existence of Angus Beith remains unconfirmed . Neilson played a 4-4-1-1 last week with Fraser Aird and Billy King in the wide positions and Paul McMullan playing off Slovakian internationalist, Pavlov Safranko. On paper, they look a cut above the rest of the league, with Fraser Fyvie anchoring the midfield and an enormous centre-half pairing of francophones Rachid Bouhenna and Frederic Frans, combined height – 12 feet and 7 inches. The Shed We’ll be back in ‘The Shed’ tomorrow, a wonderful throwback to a different era of stadia, with a sixty year-old corrugated iron roof that acts as effective amplifier and visible reminders of the terracing that once stood beneath it. Prediction Ach, it’s only a game. Win, lose or draw you’ll get home to your bed just the same.

Groundhog Day Yes folks, it's our annual League Cup semi-final pilgrimage against Hearts at Easter Road coming up this weekend at erm, well, Easter Road. The prize for the victors is a final appearance against Aberdeen who thumped St Johnstone 4-0, with Jonny Hayes and Adam Rooney prominent and amongst the goals. Similarities to last season are scary. Inverness riding high inside the top six, Hearts struggling at the wrong end of the table, trying to cook the books to enable new recruits to be conjured up out of thin air, Mr Ngoo springs to mind, and the possibilities of us falling out of both cups within a week. Hearts are once more massaging the SFA in their attempts to bend the rules in their favour, conveniently getting Ryan Stevenson's suspension out of the way prior to the semi-final and looking to bring in fresh faces, despite a signing embargo imposed upon them because of their administration woes. They are of course in a positive mode, well their points tally is anyway having trounced our near neighbours in last weeks SPFL fixture at Dinwgall and coming from a goal down inside a minute to beat St Mirren in that re-arranged midweek fixture to leave them with a total of +5 points, We have beaten the Jambos twice already this season, both wins were comfortable and both by two goals to nil, home and away, where we could and should have won by even greater margins. However, the gloss seems to have disappeared from our game. Our blistering start to the season has been eroded away and we seem to have been swallowed up by the pack. Our goals for has dried up, only three goals in our last six games. Billy McKay was prolific at the start of the season and even he has endured lean times recently. Mind you, were it not for Billy's eye for goal, we would be lingering in the also rans stables and surely it's time for Inverness to get some help for the wee man who has been ploughing a lone furrow recently. Much has been said about Hearts having a youthful side. That itself is true, but what they lack in experience, they more than make up for with a total lack of fear and plenty of tenacity. They have taken a couple of batterings this season and that was to be expected as they were badly exposed against Celtic. However, put them into a battle with arch rivals Hibernian in a fierce Edinburgh derby and they fought to the bitter end and in fact ended Hibs run in the last round of the League Cup, although they just lost out in the league game a couple of weeks ago, but not for the want of trying. Inverness have not been firing on all cylinders since well before Xmas, and the departure of Terry Butcher has not helped. John Hughes has a thankless task trying to maintain Butcher's excellent start to the campaign, and it will be impossible to better it, given that we reached the heady heights of second in the League giving some of our supporters the notion that we were going to challenge Celtic for top spot...........steady on chaps and chapesses. The confidence of the fans looks as though it has matched the teams belief at the moment and even the most ardent of loyal supporters are, to put it mildly, shiting themselves over the thought of facing a resurgent Hearts in front of yet another hostile crowd in Edinburgh, and rightly so. We struggled to get out of second gear at Kilmarnock while Hearts were ripping into County at the weekend. Last year we were maybe over confident and paid the price as Hearts rolled up their young sleeves and got stuck in. This time I see no difference to that format and we need to match Hearts exuberance or the outcome may well be similar. It took extra-time and penalties to separate the sides last year although Billy McKay should have scored the winner but he inexplicably forgot he was a predatory striker for a couple of seconds and missed a glorious chance to strike in extra-time. The rest is history and the Phillip Roberts penalty miss is the one lasting memory of that fateful day that lingers longest. That and the miserable treatment we received in Paul Kane's pub pre-match where nobody ordered pies for the ravenous Inverness support, despite the thousands of pounds being emptied into the tills at the Four in Hand. Rank rotten treatment from the former Hibee and one to avoid this time methinks, although the promise of grub is once more on the table. Inverness skipper Richie Foran is playing it close to his chest about his chances of playing on the Sabbath. He is well under way with his training and he could be influential, even from the bench. Yogi has a full squad otherwise and team selection is vital for this game with Draper, Tansey and Vincent all vying for a start in midfield, an area where this tie may well be won or lost. Hearts have brought in this seasons Mr Ngoo with a replica loan signing in the shape of big Paul McCallum from West Ham. Ryan Stevenson's ban was completed in that midweek win over the Buddies and he will be an important player for Hearts who have lost Adam King to Swansea and have Jason Holt and Jamie Walker out injured. tm4tj Prediction:- Well, we have beaten Hearts twice already this season but this is a different kettle of fish. The Jambos are on a high after consecutive wins have put them into positive points. But it's not only their points tally that is positive, they have been playing with real desire of late and with little else to play for this season, then all their eggs will be in the same basket and they will be fully committed to this one. They won on penalties last year and it might take extra time to settle this one, but Inverness have the quality to win this outright provided the attitude and application matches that of the capital side. I'll settle for a 1-0 win for Inverness to make their first major final. These guys can be heroes, just for one day............................

Butchergate, The Extended Version It's been an eventful week in the Highland Capital with all the talking points happening off the park, and sooner than the official chinwag methinks. The departure of Pat Fenlon from Easter Road sparked the managerial merry go round into action and interest swiftly focussed on Inverness manager Terry Butcher. That was just the start, it would drag on all week. Here's Pat telling us why he felt the time was right to leave, but it's a hell of a way to try and get three points off Inverness. If you had believed BBC Scotland's ill advised journalism, then Butcher was all but Hibernian boss by half three on Monday afternoon. Strange considering Butcher had allegedly not spoken to anyone at Easter Road regarding the job, despite claims by a wifie reporter who told the nation that Terry had agreed terms with Hibs. This misinformation caused Caley Thistle Online to spike as football fans scoured the internet for confirmation, or in the case of Inverness fans, denial. By Tuesday tea-time Butcher was granted permission to discuss the managerial position with Hibs after an official approach by the Edinburgh side, with Kenny Cameron vowing to fight to keep Butcher here. Jimmy Nicholl was tasked with leading Hibs into battle this weekend, a move which would pave the way for ongoing discussions between the two clubs and Terry Butcher. Wednesday was chilling out day, just as well as I went down with serious manflu. Butcher had been discussing his future with Hibernian who claimed the talks were positive. Thursday and Butcher was back in Inverness, and Malpas was preparing the team for Saturdays game with news that Nadir Ciftci's red card has turned yellow. The folk in charge of our game need to take a look at themselves. Friday morning and the rumour mill is rife with Butcher's imminent departure, cut and dried it would appear if twitter accounts are to be believed, and all that is required now is the official announcement. Fritz the dog was on hand to keep the gathering throng of reporters guessing. I know the answer. It's a miniature Schnauzer! And a Geordie to boot! Terry and Fritz looked more like extras for One Man and His Dog than a man with a life changing decision to make, bedecked in cloth cap and green wellies, like something straight out of the Black Isle Show. The departure of a manager is something Inverness should be used to by now. It's not something new and he won't be the last manager or player to be taken from us. However, it's the timing of this one that irks many fans. Inverness riding high in the SPFL, a League Cup semi-final to look forward to, a squad really starting to show their potential and all of a sudden, a struggling club with loads of latent capabilities come knocking on the door with a wad of cash and BOOM! Our wee world falls apart. Hibs have not won the Scottish Cup in over a century. That's a long time in anyone's language and the last of four Scottish Championship titles was in 1952, thanks mainly to the Famous Five. They have three League Cup successes to look back on more recently, 2007 being their latest brush with silverware. So, surely it is only right that the clubs, players and fans are let in on the secret so preparation for Saturdays game can go as smoothly as possible. No? Mr Butcher has nothing to pay back to Inverness. He has taken the club to a new level and has endeared himself to the fans with his orchestrations at the end of games. Who can forget the sermon at Somerset Park having just won the First Division at the first time of asking. I'm not sure these actions will be replicated at Easter Road. However, it's Terry's life and we are all grateful for his efforts over the last few years in raising the profile and status of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Let's be honest with ourselves. A manager never stays at a club forever in the real world. Success brings it's own downsides, and this was always going to happen, sooner or later, it's how it works I'm afraid. But it's still Murder Mystery Suspense. It's murder for the fans, mystery as to who will be in charge, and Butcher is keeping everybody in suspense. But Terry, beware of the curse of the Caley Jags. Very few have succeeded after leaving Inverness for greener grass. Take your pick. Big fish in small pond or small fish in big pond. Unbelievable.............. Would you believe it, the team Inverness are playing at the end of this traumatic week is................yes, you've guessed it Hibernian. Unbelievable! You could not script this any better. It has been a week of total disruption on the park with player training taking a back seat to Butchergate. Not only at Inverness, but the same at Easter Road, although their emotions will be the reverse of ours. Mo Malpas has denied any knowledge of Butcher's intent and I find that odd in the respect that he must be aware that if Terry goes, then he and Steve Marsella would be prime targets to join Butcher at Easter Road...........unless he knows otherwise and is staying put. Anyway, Jimmy Nicholl is tuning up the Hibs squad and Maurice Malpas is preparing the Inverness players for what will be an emotional day, although Duncan Shearer was taking the training by Friday morning at Inverness and Alan Maybury drafted in at Leith. Meanwhile, back to the nitty gritty. Inverness are unbeaten in their last three games at Easter Road with two draws and a win. Hibs have not won in their last three games at home, their best result was a 1-1 draw with Celtic, losing to Aberdeen and in the League cup derby against Hearts. Inverness have scored twice as many League goals as Hibs who have only notched a meagre nine goals in twelve games. To counterbalance that poor record, they have only lost five goals at home in the league and twelve in total, that's only one more than Inverness. Inverness are seven points better off than Hibs. (why would anyone want to go there?) Inverness will have David Raven back in the squad after a three game absence, although Carl Tremarco has done himself no harm with no nonsense defending and Graeme Shinnie scored the crucial second from Ravens right back position last week, something Raven has yet to do for Inverness. Dean Brill has extended his loan at Inverness. The big keeper has been sensational between the sticks, a couple of bloopers apart and is a very welcome addition to the cause for another few months. James Vincent is out long term and Danny Williams is reported to have a leg knock. Hibs will be without Liam Craig who failed to overturn a red card decision. He will miss this game and Hibs next League Cup game. James McPake makes his return after suspension Also out are Sam Stanton, Tim Clancy, Michael Nelson and Alex Harris. tm4tj Prediction :- Interesting day ahead and all things being equal, Inverness should thump Hibs. However, this has been an unusual week. Billy McKay (2) and Richie Foran were the scorers in Inverness earlier in the season and in all honesty it could have been double figures. I would have expected more of the same this weekend had it not been for Butchergate. With the main focus being on the managerial malarky, this game has now become nothing more than a sideshow and literally anything could happen. I'll go for a couldn't care less no scoring draw.

Third division newbies looking for cup shock It's League Cup action on Wednesday night as Inverness face the team formerly known as Rangers in the quarter finals of the trophy at Ibrox. Having already taken out first division Falkirk and SPL side Motherwell, The Rangers will be looking for another scalp in the shape of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, whose progress to the quarters has been rather low key with away victories over Arbroath and a penalty shoot-out against Stenhousemuir. The Rangers have done pretty well since gaining admission to the bottom tier in Scotland's leagues and have now moved to the top of division three after only nine games, finding themselves above the mighty Elgin City and Queens Park, although they were beaten recently by bottom club Stirling Albion. However, they failed to claim the scalp of second division Queen of the South in the Ramsdens Cup, losing out on penalties, but they did win last weeks Glasgow derby aganst Clyde when goals from Dean Shiels and Lee McCulloch sealed the points for the Ibrox club. Inverness, on the other hand, have tottered along in the SPL becoming one of the highest scoring sides in Scotland, despite also having one of the leakiest defences, although they have tightened up at the back in recent weeks. Unbeaten in their last seven games and with only two defeats this season, Inverness can feel pretty smug with their business so far. It's been an encouraging start to the season and the team seem to be settling down after some early slackness and the goals have flowed in every game so far. What can we expect from this game? It would be foolish for Inverness fans to believe that we will roll over The Rangers with ease, given the disparity in the leagues. Make no mistake, the Ibrox side are still using players that would fit into most SPL sides and the removal of Motherwell from this competition in the last round shows that they will be a force on the park, if not quite so efficient in the boardroom and the bank managers office. So I imagine that The Rangers will be out to show the rest of Scottish Football that they are still a big club ............... maybe not as big as Gregory Tade's Perth, but nonetheless big enough to handle the Highlanders, and that is why they will still be favourites in most peoples eyes to progress into the semi-finals and a possible match with another Glasgow side. I see that Celtic thrashed St Johnstone in Tuesday nights game 5-0, and Aberdeen went into extra-time with St Mirren, Magennis equalising in the ninety second minute to make it 2-2, but the Buddies went on to win the penalty shoot out by 4-2 ***Latest Team News*** Inverness have no fresh injury worries, but captain Richie Foran remains sidelined. Chris Hogg, Simon King and Nick Ross are all long term injury victims. Butcher has a choice to make for the keepers jersey with Esson back to fitness, but Reguero will be difficult to shift. Shane Sutherland and Gavin Morrison will be pushing for a start and Phillip Roberts could be rested with Conor Pepper waiting for his chance. Andy Shinnie is still searching for the two balls he fired high over the bar in the last game, let's hope he sets his sghts a bit lower on Wednesday night. Rangers defender Sebastien Faure will miss the League Cup quarter final against Inverness. Winger David Templeton is back in training after an ankle injury but is not back to full fitness yet. Spaniard Francisco Sandaza and Kane Hemmings remain out. tm4tj Prediction:- I would like to think that we could get into the next round of this competition, but Ibrox is not the easiest of grounds to attempt that. Our scoring record and tightening defence will be an asset, and I think we can do it, possibly needing extra-time and penalties, but we do have goal scorers around the park and let's hope we can keep that record going.

We will add brief reports on here as and when we complete our pre-season fixtures. We started with a testimonial at Nairn and followed that with a friendly at Grant Street against Clach. 23.06.2026/19:30, 3-1 Nairn County (A): Testimonial ⚽ Hamzad Kargbo (T20), Paul Allan, Luis Longstaff Nairn goal: Former Caley Jag Calum Mackay 27.06.2026/13:00, 3-1 Clachnacuddin (A): Friendly ⚽ Paul Allan, Dan Mackay (T14), Shae Keogh Clach Goal: Mikey Mackenzie Next game is also at Clach's ground, Grant Street, against Ross County next Saturday due to more preparatory work being done at the Caledonian Stadium ahead of the new season. 04.07.2026/13:00, - Ross County(@ Grant Street): 0-4 ⚽ County: Chin, Lindsay, Emslie & Phillips 07.07.2026/19:00, - Cove Rangers(A): Last pre-season game at Cove Rangers ended in a 1-4 win for the Caley Jags Goals from Trialist (no 14 Dan Mackay), Ryan Duncan, Morgan Bates and Hamzad Kargbo give us the win in our final pre-season match. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TESTIMONIAL FOR DYLAN MACLEAN, CALLUM MACLEAN & KENNY McKENZIE T14 - Daniel Mackay. T15 - Joseph Edward Walters T20 - Hamzad Sayeed Kargbo 18' | 0-1 GOAL! T20 opens the scoring Clearance blocked and he scored with a near-post shot. 21' | 0-2 GOAL! Paul Allan scores after ball played through out wide which was cut back and slotted away. 34 | 0-2 Good move from Nairn County as Calum MacKay's effort comes off the post. 41’ | 1-2 Goal Nairn! Ball is won in the middle of the park by Kenny McKenzie and plays through Calum Mackay who puts it past the keeper. 45+| 1-2 Shae Keogh sees his effort held right on the stroke of half time HALF TIME: 1-2 ICTFC Subs at the break: Ross Munro, Luis Longstaff and Liam Sole on Logan Ross, Shae Keogh and T14 off 47' | 1-2 Good ball from Adam Mackinnon finds T20 in the box but his effort is just over. 53' | 1-2 ICTFC Sub: Morgan Bates on, T20 off 63' | 1-3 GOAL! Luis Longstaff's free-kick finds the bottom corner from the edge of the box. FULL TIME: 1-3 Looks like everybody got some game time. NAIRN: Dylan Maclean, Jamie Carnihan, Leo Walker, Callum Maclean, Fraser Dingwall, Millar Gamble, Calum Mackay, Tyler Eadie, Paul Brindle, Jonathan Bain, Kenny McKenzie SUBS: Kyle Jeffrey (GK), Kenny MacInnes, Angus Dey, Jake Thomson, Ben Barron, Ben Kelly, Adrian Voigt, Trialist SUBS MADE: Ben Barron --> Paul Brindle (46), Adrian Voigt --> Jonathan Bain (46), Jake Thomson --> Callum Maclean (60), Angus Dey --> Calum Mackay (74), Ben Kelly --> Jamie Carnihan (74), Trialist --> Tyler Eadie (74), Kyle Jeffrey --> Dylan Maclean (81) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friendlies (3): 27.06.2026/13:00, 3-1 Clachnacuddin (A): After the pyrotechnic display on Friars Bridge earlier in the day, this pre-season game got underway at Grant Street with Championship Caley Jags fielding a strong starting XI. Here's the highlights lifted from X 6' | 0-0 First real chance of the match as Graeme Shinnie sees his effort from range bounce just wide. At the other end, Craig Lawrie sees his effort from range go just wide. 12' | 0-1 GOAL! We take the lead! Paul Allan's free-kick is swung in and looks to have gone straight in! 26' | 0-1 Noa Boutin sees his effort held by Mark Ridgers. 30' | 0-1 Boutin picks out Adam Mackinnon in the box but his effort is over and behind. 36' | 0-1 Ross Munro called into action as he saves Jordan MacRae's initial effort and follow-up header. 40' | 0-1 Luis Longstaff sees his effort from just outside the box held by Mark Ridgers HALF TIME: 0-1 45' | 0-1 HT Subs for ICTFC: Logan Ross and Trialist (No 15) on, Ross Munro and Danny Devine off 51' | 1-1 Goal. Mikey Mackenzie equalises for Clach 61' | 1-1 ICTFC Subs: Trialist (No 14), Trialist (No 20), Alfie Bavidge on Morgan Bates, Liam Sole and Luis Longstaff off 73' | 1-1 Sam Thompson and Shae Keogh on, Adam Mackinnon and Paul Allan off 75' | 1-1 Noa Boutin picks out Shae Keogh but his effort is turned just wide. 82'| 1-2 GOAL! Trialist (No 14) gives us the lead! They can't kid us. It's our very own Dan Mackay. 85' | 1-3 GOAL! Shae Keogh makes it 3-1! And that's how it finished... FULL TIME: 1-3 ICTFC Substitutions: 46: Logan Ross and Trialist (No 15) on, Ross Munro and Danny Devine off 61: Trialist (No 14), Trialist (No 20), Alfie Bavidge on Morgan Bates, Liam Sole and Luis Longstaff off 73: Sam Thomson & Shae Keogh on, Adam MacKinnon & Paul Allan off Clach Starting XI Mark Ridgers Michael Finnis Harry Nicolson Ally Gillies Kuba Leszczynski Allan MacPhee Mikey Mackenzie Jordan Macrae Craig Lawrie Jacob Kerr ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 04.07.2026/13:00, - Ross County (@ Grant Street): Not good reading, but here it is... This pre-season game was played at the neutral venue of Grant Street, Inverness as the Caledonian Stadium surface was still being treated ahead of new season. A minutes applause was held prior to Kick-Off as a mark of respect for former Caley Jags director David Cameron who passed away earlier this week. New signings Hamzad Kargbo & Ryan Duncan started in a reasonably strong line-up for the Caley Jags who still had T14 & T15 down as trialists but better known as Dan Mackay & T15 Noteworthy timeline events... 8' | Lindsay’s strike flies over the bar after nice work from Chin on the right wing. 10' | Chance for ICT from a free-kick but Akil Wright clears the danger. 29' | Emslie slices a strike wide as Graham collects the follow up, but Ross Munro collects his shot. 35' | Brian Graham has an effort cleared off the line after a great cross from Randall. 35' | GOALLLLLL COUNTY!! Richard Chin slams it home!! 40' | Chance for ICT but it is turned wide of the post after a good cut back. HALF TIME 0-1 Time to go home now... 47’ | 0-1 Good move from ICT as Adam Mackinnon sees his effort go over the bar and behind. 51' | GOAAAAAALLL COUNTY! Jamie Lindsay fires home on the volley! What a hit! 53' | GOOOOOAALLLLL COUNTY! Adam Emslie slips it home after some brilliant work down the right from, Richard Chin! An avalanche of substitutions around the hour mark slowed County down from scoring for a bit... 70’ | 0-3 Good ball from Luis Longstaff is headed over by Morgan Bates 76’ | 0-3 Luis Longstaff’s corner finds Shae Keogh in the box but his header is over the bar. 82’ | 0-3 Ross Munro produces a good save to keep out Kieran Phillips 86' | GOOOOOALLLL COUNTY! Keiran Phillips sprints through the defence and slots home! FULL TIME: 0-4 We were Gudgied, time to go and hide for a day or two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 07.07.2026/19:00, - Cove Rangers (A): 2 x Alfies starting Spoony & Chalmers turn up Last pre-season game at Cove Rangers ended in a 1-4 win for the Caley Jags Goals from Trialist (no 14 Dan Mackay), Ryan Duncan, Morgan Bates and Hamzad Kargbo give us the win in our final pre-season match. Highlights picked off X 10' | 0-1 GOAL! Trialist No 14 Dan Mackay gives us the lead! 20' | 0-1 Good save from Logan Ross as he tips Trialist (No 14) for Cove's effort 22' | 1-1 GOAL! Destiny Oladipo uses his power & strength to equalise! After a delightful touch on the halfway line, Destiny holds off numerous challengers as he burst towards the Inverness goal before chopping inside and striking low past Ross with the aid of a deflection. A brilliant solo goal from the big man! 27' | 1-1 Spoony's corner finds Devine in the box but his header is over. 30' | 1-1 Good pass from Alfie Stewart finds Alfie Bavidge but his effort is saved by Robbie Mutch. HALF TIME: 1-1 48' | 1-2 GOAL!! Great play from Ryan Duncan down the right as he drives into the box and fires it past Robbie Mutch. 55' | 1-2 Another great run from Oladipo shrugging off 3 players but his effort is saved by Logan Ross. 59' | 1-2 Joe Chalmers sees his effort from range saved by Robbie Mutch 64' | 1-3 GOAL! Morgan Bates heads in from close range! 72' | 1-3 Good ball in from Graeme Shinnie is headed over by Hamzad Kargbo 73’ | Chance for Cove to reduce the deficit. A slack pass from Ross falls kindly to Fraser, who drills a shot straight into the goalkeeper’s chest. The rebound drops to Stephen, who looks to place his effort into the corner, but Ross recovers brilliantly from his earlier mistake, producing an excellent save with his foot. 86' | 1-4 GOAL! Hamzad Kargbo heads in from close range as he finishes Liam Sole's cross! That ended the scoring with everyone getting a run out. FULL TIME: 1-4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A late addition to our pre-season saw us take to the field at Grantown-on-Spey in our much maligned away strip. Main talking points lifted off X. 10' | 0-1 GOAL! Shae Keogh opens the scoring after finishing a great cross from Luis Longstaff. 21' | 0-2 GOAL! Adam Mackinnon finishes on the edge of the box from an Archie Kerr cross. 31' | 0-3 GOAL! Trialist 14's cross is headed in by Hamzad Kargbo from close range. 35' | 0-4 GOAL! Morgan Bates scores from the penalty spot to make it 4-0! HALF TIME: 0-4 59' | 0-5 GOAL! T14's corner finds Morgan Bates in the box! 65' | 0-5 Ellis Leighton and Sam Thompson ➡️ James Clark and Morgan Bates off. 75' | 0-6 GOAL! Sam Thompson makes it 6-0 with a great strike from just outside the box. 76' | 0-6 ICTFC Sub: Kenzie Harkness ➡️ Luis Longstaff off . FULL TIME: 0-6

CTO Player of the YearOscar MacIntyre Oscar has had a great season with us since signing from Hibs and has been a favourite with the fans. He has scored 1 goal for the club in our 3-3 draw with Partick Thistle in the KDM Trophy (which we won on penalties) and picked up 5 yellow cards, in 37 appearances for the club. Starting the season well he was then rotated with Mitchell Robertson, but was picking up votes in most games he played throughout the season. Although he did not start on Saturday he came on as a sub for Danny Devine, no votes came his way but he had enough to win.CONGRATULATIONS OSCAR Player of the Year 2025-2026 Oscar MacIntyre 62 points Alfie Stewart 57 points Calum MacLeod 55 points Remi savage 43 points Paul Allan 32 Points David Wotherspoon 28 points Monthly Winners. July - Calum MacLeod August - Oscar MacIntyre September - Paul Allan October - Adam MacKinnon November - Adam MacKinnon December - Remi Savage January - Alfie Stewart February - Alfie Stewart March - Jordan Alonge - Alfie Stewart April - Remi Savage May - Billy Mckay Congratulations to Oscar as the CTO Player of the Year voted by you. I along with many other fans hope he will sign on with the club for next season, including young Finlay MacLellan who picked up his autograph earlier in the season. Thanks again for all your votes throughout the season and hope to keep it going in the next one. CTO also thank IBM for all his hard work in keeping the PotY polls running throughout every season. It's an interactive poll on CTO as fans post their own opinions on player performances (5-3-1 points) which gets totted up to determine who gets this accolade, and this year Oscar is your Man!

Champagne on Ice A sold out away crowd were on hand to see if the Caley Jags could secure promotion to the Championship at Bayview Stadium in the penultimate League fixture of the season. Hopes were high after last weeks results where Stenhousemuir lost at Cove Rangers and Inverness nervously scraped home against Kelty Hearts to open up a four point gap with just two games remaining. A few different permutations remain but it's going to the wire after a 1-1 draw at Bayview and Stenhousemuir beating Alloa 1-0. It was a massive let down for the big away support who witnessed a disjointed scrappy performance by the Caley Jags against a team that were prepared to fight for the jerseys and deserved their point today whilst we fired high balls onto the head of Brian Easton as if he was a ball magnet. Michael MacKenna scored a simple knock in after our defence were easily opened up on the right side. We were second to every ball for 80 minutes, The introduction of some subs injected a bit more urgency but it took a superb strike from Billy Mckay to salvage an unlikely point in the final minute of the ninety after he chested the ball, spun round and shot early from the edge of the box to leave the keeper stranded as the ball rifled into the bottom corner. That was the solitary bit of quality on a day when we looked overawed and ordinary and the fans left the stadium shaking their heads. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It started reasonably brightly for us in the opening minutes as Longstaff had an opportunity to cut into the box before Robbie Hemfrey saved from a tight angle. It was a bright afternoon with a hint of a stiff breeze on the park that often held long balls up long enough for defenders to get the easy pickings, and so it went on. Mamadou Bah headed over from a corner and the ever dangerous Michael McKenna saw Ross Munro save his header to the bottom corner. Chanka Zimba went down injured and to be honest might just as well have stayed on the ground for the rest of the half such was the impact he was having on procedings. Maybe the hosts saw this as an excuse to leave their players on the surface a la Fawlty Towers 'well you started it'. McKenna had another header saved by Munro ten minutes before the break and the 'injuries' continued to the interval in what had been a very poor half with chances at a premium. HALF TIME: 0-1 The tempo upped at the start of the second half but it was the hosts that were looking livelier around the box with Munro the busier keeper, saving from Nathan Austin in the bottom corner. Oscar MacIntyre was blocked just as he offloaded a shot as he raced onto a ball on the edge of the box and minutes later East Fife went ahead. Good work or not so good defending, but the hosts did well to retain the ball on their left wing following a throw-in and Slattery's ball into the middle was knocked in by McKenna from ten yards to dent our ambitions. We could all see this coming thus far in the game and for the next twenty minutes it could have got worse. McKenna was denied by Munro as the Fifers broke forward, the keeper able to save comfortably in the end. The play was still being disrupted and more substitutes added to this but ultimately would throw us a get out of jail card right at the end. From this point onwards, we showed much more urgency with Wotherspoon and Billy Mckay now on the park although the bigger mystery was why was Zimba still on it (or was he? Maybe it was his destiny). Ross Munro pulled off a tremendous save to stop McKenna adding a second as he acrobatically tipped his effort over the bar. That was a crucial save by the keeper that kept us in the game. Hemfrey pulled off a TV save when substitute Adam MacKinnon's volley was bounced off the surface towards the top corner but the keeper had time to take the cigar out before diving and catching the ball with both hands, Thankfully for us, Zimba surfaced just in time to nod Paul Allan's lob towards the box onwards where the genius of Billy Mckay left the keeper rooted to the spot as his volley found the bottom corner from around twenty yards. Billy collected Chanka's backward head flick on his chest and his strikers instinct saw him swivel and volley as smooth as you like and for that we will be eternally grateful for Paul, Chanka and the predatory Billy Mckay. That goal alone might just be enough to save our season as a draw next week is another option to going straight up. FULL TIME: 1-1 Make no bones about it, this was a dismal showing in a game that could have yielded the League1 title and with it promotion to the Championship. Instead of that we were dragged into a dogged battle against a team fighting for survival accompanied by some questionable tactical decisions to stay down injured at the drop of a hat. Nonetheless it worked as a disruptive influence on the game which killed any chance of a repeat of the flowing action we saw at Peterhead recently. Mind you, a lot of that was down to our own lack of tactical nous in launching numerous aimless balls forward to Brian Easton's head, a tactic that rightly saw him named man of the match. East Fife are now set for a final day relegation play-off battle after Accies beat Peterhead but that point today for the Fifers gives them some hope going into the final games next week just one point ahead of Accies with Kelty Hearts now officially relegated. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 ICTFC 35 35 66 2 Stenny 35 21 64 3 Alloa 35 15 53 4 QotS 35 8 51 5 P'Head 35 -14 43 6 Monty 35 -17 42 7 Cove 35 -3 37 8 E Fife 35 -27 35 9 Accies 35 13 34 Kelty 35 -31 26 How important could this goal be. A strike that rooted the keeper to the spot. Date: 25/04/2026 Venue: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 1348 Referee: Alastair Grieve East Fife: 1 Manager: Dick Campbell Lineup: Hemfrey; Wilson, Bah, Munro, Easton, Peggie, Slattery (Scally 61), McManus, Millar, McKenna, Austin (Oladipo 61), Culbert Subs (not used): Rollo; Gaffney, Halliday, Halsey, Healy, Latona, Rowe, Scorers: McKenna (56) Booked: Bah (87) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; Millen (Wotherspoon 73), Devine, Savage, McIntyre (Robertson 64), Longstaff (MacKinnon 58), MacLeod (Alonge 58), Allan, Stewart (B Mckay, 73), Bavidge, Zimba Subs (not used): Ross; Brannan, Chalmers, Willox Scorers: B Mckay (89) Booked: Longstaff (57) Sent Off: none

Crucial Kelty Crunch Game After a convincing 2-0 win at Peterhead in midweek, the Caley Jags head into the final three games of the season with a one point advantage over a relentless Stenhousemuir. A stunning Alfie Stewart free kick and an equally impressive team goal put into the net by Chanka Zimba saw us leap frog the Warriors with no room for error over the final 270 minutes. Kelty come North on the back of a great result against Montrose which has seen them narrow the gap to safety and they now sit five points adrift of Cove Rangers and two behind Hamilton Accies. With Kelty in as much need of points as us but for different reasons, then this could be a tough game all round but one we are well capable of dealing with after showing more conviction in the second half at Balmoor. Don't forget to put your retro shirts on. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Bus/Bar/Info Bring a Friend for a Fiver ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All 8 Competitive Meetings 0 - 0 (A) 2 - 2 (H) 3 - 0 (A) 0 - 2 (H) 1 - 0 (A) 1 - 1 (H) 0 - 0 (A) 1 - 0 (A) We were in the Pink at Balmoor on Tuesday night and warmed to the task with an assured performance to put promotion back in our own grasp, but there's no wiggle room with Stenny breathing down our necks. Keep it under your hat, but Alfie Stewart is turning out to be a great asset. He doesn't do tap-ins. Every one of his goals this season have been belters. Last Six League1: D W D D D W Not turning draws into wins has been a major stumbling block this season in our drive for promotion. We took the bull by the horns against Peterhead and took the game to them, especially in the second half where nobody would have complained had we scored half a dozen. Here's a sobering thought. We have never beaten Kelty at home in the three games we have played in the Highlands with one defeat and two draws. The diamond shaped midfield worked well at Peterhead, especially in the second half where we went for the jugular. Chanka Zimba notched his 19th goal of the season at Peterhead and Alfie's stunner was his eighth. Getting to the game Bar 94 and Matchday Bus times for Saturday's game against Kelty Hearts. Bar 94 will open at 1200, with last orders at 1430 (the bar must be fully vacated by 1445). The bar reopens at full time, when expect to be joined by some of the players. Operated by Stagecoach, buses will leave the Bus Station for the Stadium at 1245 and 1415. Buses return from the Stadium to the Bus Station 10 minutes after the full time whistle and at 1800. The bus fare is £2 single (contactless payments or cash accepted), and Over 60 / Disabled and Under 22 Concession passes are valid, giving free travel on the service to passholders. Why not come down early, make a day of it, and wait to see the players after full time? Saturday is Retro Shirt Day in Bar 94, so a chance to wear your all time favourite strip, whilst we also have excellent, high quality framed prints of the Stadium, produced and donated by member Stewart Coghill, available for purchase at £50 each. Some great shirts over the years. Dig out your grandads olde shirt and wear it with pride, preferably without your grandad still inside it. The Kelty recovery continued last Saturday with a tremendous 3-1 win at home to Montrose. An Arnott penalty and a brace from Cooper won the points at New Central Park. That followed on from an excellent 2-1 win away to Accies and an equally impressive home draw with Queen of the South who ended that game with ten men. Last Six League1: L D L W D W It's not been the best of seasons for the Maroons since we beat them 3-0 in the season opener back on the 2nd of August. Seems like a lifetime away now. However with the return of Cunningham, Kelty have a glimmer of hope in avoiding automatic relegation and that looked a forlorn hope a month ago. January window signings: In: Arran Pettifer, midfielder (Arbroath); Dylan Corr, defender (Morton, loan to permanent); Ross Cunningham, forward (Stirling Albion) Loan in: Cammy Cooper, forward (Airdrie); Sam Fisher, defender (Dunfermline); Alasdair Davidson, defender (Dunfermline) Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 ICTFC 33 34 62 2 Stenny 33 22 61 3 Alloa 33 14 50 4 QuotS 33 8 49 5 P'Head 33 -12 42 6 Monty 33 -15 41 7 E Fife 33 -25 34 8 Cove 33 -7 31 9 Accies 33 9 28 10 Kelty 33 -28 26 Scott Kellacher giving nothing away Going to the wire! How's your nails>>> Inverness CT 62pts THE RUN IN Stenhousemuir 61pts P'Head 0-2 ICTFC ✔️ 14th April STENNY - No ⛔ Game ICTFC v Kelty Hearts 18th April @15:00 Cove v STENNY East Fife v ICTFC 25th April @15:00 STENNY v Alloa ICTFC v Accies 2nd May @15:00 Montrose v STENNY

One down three to go After the disappointment of Saturday's game at Ochilview, we had another opportunity to top the table going into the final three games in League1. After tonight, it's a three game sprint for the title. Could the Caley Jags keep their destiny within their own grasp? Chanka Zimba was available after suspension and he led the line with Calum MacLeod retaining his starting place from the weekend and Billy Mckay missing out again. League1 Player of the Month for March, 17 goal Kieran Shanks will lead the line for Peterhead and Flynn Duffy was back in the starting XI. Inverness were the more prominent around the opposition box with Newman making one tremendous save from an Alonge free kick but he had no chance when Alfie Stewart stepped up thirty yards from goal to whip his free kick right into the top corner to open the scoring. The next best effort was an Alfie Bavidge run into the right side of the box but Newman stood tall to block the ball away. In a great attacking display in the second half we hit the woodwork twice through Robertson and Alonge before Chanka Zimba swept home a Bavidge cross to secure the points. Magnificent result considering what was at stake. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The hosts got the game underway and Inverness went onto the front foot. In the third minute a twenty-five yard free kick from Jordan Alonge was spectacularly pushed out for a corner by Jack Newman. Nothing from the corner but moments later Alfie Bavidge headed goalwards but it lacked power and was easily gathered by Newman. Inverness were dictating the early pace of the game and after ten minutes Calum MacLeod looped a header over when Newman was caught in no mans land. Peterhead's first effort was a shot from Seb Ross that was dragged wide a minute later after some neat footwork around the box. Midway through the half the play had evened out and Munro saved comfortably on the angle from Kieran Shanks. Play was turning a bit scrappy on the fiery surface with the ball bouncing high making control awkward. Newman smothered a dangerous cross into the box in the twenty-fifth minute as it remained goalless and a stabbed passback to Newman went unpunished before Zimba clumsily tried to get a couple of shots away. Munro flopped on a snapshot from Jason Brown as the game moved back to the other end. Munro needlessly gave away a throw in. Why??? Lots of petty fouls littering the game now, but with half an hour gone Bavidge raced clear on a great ball forward by Stewart after he broke down an attack, but Bav went a step or two wide allowing Newman to block his effort from fifteen yards on the right side of the box. We were swarming all round the home box but nobody had the required skill to unlock the defence. Until now. Wow!!! A stunning thirty yard left footer curling free kick from Alfie Stewart opened the scoring five minutes before the break. Pawlett had been pulled back after a late lunging tackle missed his intended target. Wee Alfie only scores screamers, he couldn't have placed it in the net any better had he taken some step ladders and dropped the ball into the net from on the goalline. The visitors were now being flagged offside a few times as the interval approached and it remained the narrowest of advantages at the break thanks to Alfie Stewart's stunning free kick. HALF TIME: 0-1 The Caley Jags should have gone two up in the first minute when Newman palmed the ball to Zimba and on the rebound Bavidge saw his shot blocked in the six yard box before being cleared. Moments later Calum MacLeod saw his shot grabbed by Newman after MacLeod's shot deflected over the keeper but was headed off the line by a defender. We had the ball in the net again but it was flagged by the linesman to deny a second. Fast start to this half from the Highlanders looking to increase their advantage. Jordan Alonge burrowed his way into the box past a number of players but his shot cracked back of the post to deny him a brilliant solo. Great pressure from the visitors and only eight minutes into the half. Bavidge could have scored after latching onto a ball into the box but his low shot rifled across the face of the goal from eight yards on the right. Mitchell Robertson curled a beauty onto the crossbar from twenty-five yards with Newman rooted to the spot and he followed up on his own rebound but his shot swerved a yard wide of the target. How we have not scored at least four goals this half is a mystery. Fear not, it paid off on sixty-seven minutes when Bavidge used his pace wide right to drill a low ball into the box for Zimba to sweep the ball into the net from inside the six yard box. It was another tremendous ball by MotM Alfie Stewart that had set Bavidge on his way. Five subs stemmed the flow of the game and we saw out the last fifteen comfortably in control to go back on top of the table with three games left. FULL TIME: 0-2 Alfie Stewart was TV MotM and no complaints from me after that stunning free kick. He was also part of the assist for the second goal as we played out from the back. Great all round performance that offered little for Peterhead to work with and a result that could have ended up at five or six to the visitors. Top of the league with only three games left for everyone. HAPPY DAYS Goals from BBC ALBA Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 ICTFC 33 34 62 2 Stenny 33 22 61 3 Alloa 33 14 50 4 QotS 33 8 49 Inverness CT 62pts THE RUN IN Stenhousemuir 61pts P'Head 0-2 ICTFC 14th April @19:45 STENNY - No ⛔ Game ICTFC v Kelty Hearts 18th April @15:00 Cove v STENNY East Fife v ICTFC 25th April @15:00 STENNY v Alloa ICTFC v Accies 2nd May @15:00 Montrose v STENNY Date: 14/04/2026 Venue: Balmoor Stadium Attendance: 0780 Referee: Joel Kennedy Peterhead: 0 Manager: Jordon Brown & Ryan Strachan Lineup: Newman, Steele, Jason Brown, Kerr (Jack Brown 65), Carnwath (D Strachan 60), Pawlett (M Ross 75), Forrest, Duffy, McGuffie (McGinn 75), Kerr, S Ross, Shanks Subs (not used): McKelvie; Jordan Brown, R Strachan, Jones, James Scorers: none Booked: Steele (36), Jason Brown (70) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro: Millen, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Allan, MacLeod (Chalmers 83), Alonge (Sole 76), Stewart (MacKinnon 83), Bavidge (Longstaff 76), Zimba (McIntyre 87) Subs (not used): Ross; Brannan, Wotherspoon, Willox Scorers: Stewart (39), Zimba (67) Booked: Stewart (28), MacLeod (77), Zimba (80) Sent Off: none

Just like the olde days The Caley Jags headed to Somerset Park as massive underdogs in the KDM Trophy semi-final despite a Head 2 Head advantage of played 53, won 24, drawn 17 and lost just 12. Aye, those were the days when beating Ayr United was a regular occurrence. The boot is on the other foot now with Ayr sitting fourth in the Championship whilst we sit top of league1 with aspirations to reach the Championship for the start of next season. Both clubs have done well to reach the semi-final of the Challenge Cup. Ayr put Championship leaders St Johnstone out at the quarter final stage whilst Inverness put Stenhousemuir out at the same stage. Our big scalp was Partick Thistle in the previous round. George Oakley scored twice against St Johnstone and we know all about him. Oakley and McKenzie start up front for Ayr who have Ben Summers cup-tied and Dowds, Dempsey, Rus, Murphy, Ure and Watret all out injured. Inverness appear to have made six changes to the team that started against Stenhousemuir at the weekend with top scorers Alfie Bavidge and Chanka Zimba on the bench alongside Captain Danny Devine, Calum MacLeod, Liam Sole and Alfie Stewart. Inverness stunned their hosts by marching into the KDM final after beating Ayr United 2-1 thanks to an excellent double from Jordan Alonge who scored one in each half. Everton loanee George Finney levelled before the interval but it was a relatively assured performance from the League1 side that saw them move into the final where they will face either Airdrie or Raith Rovers who face off tomorrow night. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Inverness got the game underway but it was Jude Bonnar that dragged the first effort wide. A good ball forward from Ben Brannan offered a chance for Alonge but he mis-controlled and the chance disappeared. First corner to the visitors after a Paul Allan free kick was headed behind by the Ayr defence. Second and third corner came and went without troubling the keeper. Some neat touches by both sides in the early exchanges. A good turn by Oakley off a lofted ball into the box saw the striker get his shot away on the left side of the box but Ross Munro was well positioned to save comfortably at his near post. Munro was forced into pushing a shot round the post after a poor clearance from the keeper himself, Bonnar with the shot. The first save of note. Shortly after, Inverness opened the scoring when two great balls forward from Paul Allan then Longstaff played Alonge into the box and his powerful low shot beat the keeper from the right side to find the back of the net. It would have been two a few minutes later when Billy Mckay shot for the bottom corner only for keeper Max Thompson to dive full length to fingertip the ball just the wrong side of the post. Ayr levelled all too easily when they went forward on the left for McKenzie to clip the ball into the box for Finney to net. Longstaff zipped a low shot just wide as Inverness came forward again. Close, but no cigar. Munro was creating our own problems after a few rushed clearances, but we got away with them. Been a good first half from the Highlanders who ended the first 45 on the front foot. HALF TIME: 1-1 Ayr replaced a Bonnar with a Dick at the break as they looked to change it for the second half but it was Billy Mckay that got a shot away on the turn but it lacked the power to trouble the keeper. A bit of a scramble in the Ayr box as we had two or three efforts blocked by a frantic defence five minutes into the second period. Luis Longstaff looked a constant menace to the hosts with his quick feet as we controlled the pace of the game. A rare venture forward saw Ethan Walker try his luck from distance but the low shot was easily gathered by Munro. A great burst forward through the middle saw Alonge feed Paul Allan who played a deft back heel flick across the box that almost put Mckay in on goal but for Max Thompson who dived headlong at his feet to grab the ball brilliantly. Clear chances were hard to come by with an hour played but anything positive was now coming from the visitors. Alonge was enjoying himself now and some ball wizardry saw him burst forward towards the Ayr box before being crowded out. Another superb ball forward by Brannan saw Mckay scampering forward down the left wing but once again Max Thompson did really well to get to the ball first and block. Very little coming from Ayr in an attacking sense as we entered the final twenty minutes with Bavidge and Sole now on the park. A good interception, run and cross by MacIntyre almost picked out a player in blue on the edge of the Ayr box as we looked dangerous again. Jordan Alonge sealed the win with a superb downward header off a pinpoint cross from MacIntyre with ten minutes remaining after he climbed highest in between two defenders. Late in the game Liam Sole looked to be a lucky man as he forced his head onto an Ayr player but the referee fortunately chose to ignore it and play continued. As it was, we played out the game comfortably and can now look forward to a Cup Final. FULL TIME: 1-2 Caley Jags deservedly ease into the final at Somerset Park thanks to a brace from Man of the Match Jordan Alonge!!! Date: 24/02/2026 Venue: Somerset Park, Ayr Attendance: 1768 Referee: Peter Stuart Ayr United: 1 Manager: Scott Brown Lineup: Thompson; McAllister, King, Holt, Finney (Simpson 85), McKenzie, Bonnar (Dick 46), Bannigan (Hislop 74), McMann, Walker, Oakley (Want 80) Subs (not used): Russell; Devenny Scorers: Finney(34) Booked: McMann (57), Bannigan (65) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; Brannan, Robertson, Savage, MacIntyre, Longstaff (Bavidge 72), Allan, Alonge, MacKinnon (Zimba 90), Wotherspoon (Stewart 79), B Mckay (Sole 72) Subs (not used): Ross; Devine, MacLeod, Chalmers, Willox Scorers: Alonge (27, 82) Booked: Macintyre (59), Stewart (90+4) Sent Off: none

Off to the Links It's an away day for the Caley Jags on Saturday as they head to Links Park in Montrose. Both clubs have one point from the first three fixtures although Inverness are in a group of five teams that have won twice. Bad day at the home office for us last weekend as Stenhousemuir dug their heels in to sneak away down the A9 with all three points on a frustrating afternoon in the North. Montrose, on the other hand, saw mixed emotions as they came away from Cove with a red card and a point which could easily have been three but for a 94th minute equaliser. Scott Kellacher will be looking for a reaction this weekend and he has options after our squad players reeled Strathspey Thistle for six in the NoS Cup. Montrose must be like a retirement home for knackered footballers. Michae Gardyne and Craig Wighton have both retired. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ❤️Condolences to former player Dougie Imrie, Lauren and family given the heartbreaking news of their daughter Remi❤️ Dougie had posted below message on social media. 👼 Sleep tight precious angel 😢 30.07.25-19.08.25 Our girl got tired in the early hours of Tuesday morning & decided it was time to rest ‘If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever’ 💔 20 days of loving you Remi, I hope you know how much you were loved and we will cherish the short time we got to spend with you, a true wee fighter from the minute you were born. We love you baby girl 💔 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Supporters Bus/Info Ben Gardiner Loan to Brora Ticket Info v Aberdeen 'B' KDM Ladies Day next week with Michael Lewis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ticket InfoTickets available from montrosefc.co.uk/tickets/ Adults: £18, Concession (U18s / Over 65s): £10, Under 12s: £5 ICT Supporters Travel ClubTravel Club Bus leaves Sarens PSG Stadium at 10am. Picking up Aviemore and Pitlochry. £20 a seat. Book through the Travel Club’s Facebook or on 07462218717 ✨ Ladies Day at ICTFC ⚽🍾 📅 Saturday 30th August ⚽ ICTFC v Alloa Athletic 🎟️ £70 per person 🎤 The fantastic Michael Lewis will be performing throughout the day 👉 Book your spot now! 💻 https://www.eticketing.co.uk/ictfc/EDP/Event/Index/76 📧 [email protected] 📞 01463 222880✨ Inverness were mugged last weekend when Stenhousemuir came North to park their bus before catching us on the hop with a late strike from Ross Taylor ten minutes from the end. It had been a game ruined by the incompetent Gavin Duncan who stopped the game, rightly or wrongly everytime a player landed on the turf. He dished out a penalty to both sides before the late strike secured all three points for the visitors. Paul Allan scored our spot kick while Matty Aitken levelled for the Warriors. Our opening fixtures saw victories over Kelty Hearts (3-0 Mckay, Longstaff, Wotherspoon) and a 2-0 home win over Peterhead (Wotherspoon, Sole). An Inverness CT XI played a North of Scotland tie against Strathspey Thistle and ran away with a 6-0 win as they sent Strathspey reeling. A good workout for most of the squad fringe players and those returning from injury. Two goals each for Robbie Thompson and Liam Sole and singles for Jordan Alonge and Mitchell Robertson, all in the first half, killed the tie as we cruised into a semi-final appointment at Forres Mechanics. Great to see Adam MacKinnon back on the park as part of his journey back to fitness. Alfie Bavidge and Chanka Zimba sat this one out, presumably keeping them fresh for this weekend. Robbie Thompson must be knocking on the door as well with another good performance captaining the side. Scott Kellacher: Has not suffered two defeats in a row yet since becoming manager and he will be looking to get back on track after the setback last weekend. Doc Proc has a few niggles to contend with ahead of this one but we now have a decent depth to the squad. Maybe a start for Bavidge and Adam MacKinnon might be ready to step up a notch after his rehab. Ben Gardiner has gone out on loan to Brora Rangers for six months. Montrose gained their first point last Saturday despite playing with ten men for the majority of the game. It still took a 94th minute headed goal from David Eguaibor to salvage a point for Cove Rangers in a see-saw game. Ewan Louden scored a brace whilst Callum Sandilands put Montrose 3-2 ahead with around half an hour of play left. Keir Bertie will miss this game after his red card with Ali Shrive likely to replace him. They started the season going down 2-0 at Hamilton on opening day and followed that with a 2-1 defeat at home to Kelty Hearts, Kieran Freeman with the Gable Endies goal. Sean Dillan & Ryan could be fit with Graham Webster ready soon. Latest from the Links: Defender Evan Towler has signed on a one-year deal, following the 20-year-old’s recent departure from Aberdeen. Montrose announce the premature departure of Craig Wighton from Links Park, following the strikers sudden and unexpected decision to retire from the game at 28. GABLE ENDER - ON SALE SATURDAY! The next edition of the year of our award winning Matchday Programme will be on sale on Saturday for our game against ICTFC, jam packed with features, facts and photos. £3 for a Gable Ender; oooooft! From BBC Sport In: Ross Clark, midfielder (Dundee); Kieran Freeman, defender (Raith Rovers); Michael Tidser, midfielder; Ewan Louden (Brechin). Loan in: Callum Sandilands, midfielder (Hearts). Out: Michael Gardyne, forward (retired ☠️); Lancelot Pollard, midfielder; Paul Watson, midfielder; Ben Maciver-Redwood, forward; Aulay Martin, defender. Craig Wighton, forward (retired); Loan ended: Owen Stirton, forward (Dundee United). Loan out: Ross Matthews, goalkeeper (Dundee North End).

Off to a Flyerat New Central Park Scott Kellacher was busy in the transfer market yesterday scooping up Alfie Bavidge, Chanka Zimba and Mitchell Robertson to bolster his squad for the new season in League1. However none of them started with Bavidge and Robertson on the bench. Calum MacLeod filled in at right back with Oscar McIntyre moving to his favoured left back slot. Paul Allan, Ross Millen and Adam MacKinnon missed out again. The Caley Jags gave everyone else a five point head start just to make it fair. Pretty decent of them to be honest....... or was it because of last seasons administration At the end of the day it was a comfortable away win for the Caley Jags with goals from Mckay, Longstaff and Wotherspoon. We got season 25/26 off and running on the artificial surface at New Central Park, Kelty. It only took four minutes for the opening goal in League1 and it was our own Billy Mckay that scored it from the edge of the box after Joe Chalmers won the ball to assist Billy with his fine finish, curling the ball round the defender and into the bottom corner. Mind you, Ross Munro was the first keeper in action to deny Innes Murray a minute earlier. An Alfie Stewart corner found Danny Devine in the box but he headed over from close range. Midway through the half Liam Sole was denied by Corey Armour in goal and a couple of minutes later he saved from Mckay's close range header. Up the other end and Scott Mercer fired over following a corner and after half an hour there's not much between the sides. Stewart headed just wide of the top corner as the visitors looked to double their lead. We did double our advantage five minutes before the break when the creative genius of David Wotherspoon saw Armour save before he crossed in moments later to give Luis Longstaff the opportunity to head home. Joe Chalmers went close and Stewart brought out another save before the last action saw Murray's shot saved by Ross Munro HALF TIME: 0-2 No changes at the break and five minutes in Chalmers shot over and Murray missed the target at the other end. Alfie Stewart struck a post but we would not be denied a third and Wotherspoon delivered it on the hour fighting for the ball before juggling and clipping it over the keeper. Only Spoony would do it in style like this, a sort of Spoonyerism. Longstaff shot over just after the goal. Dangerman Murray was unlucky as he fired over direct from a free kick, clipping the corner of the bar on its way as the visitors looked to get back into the game. Second half substitutions disrupted the flow and Alfie Bavidge replaced Mckay twenty minutes from the end. The visitors saw out the remainder of the game cutting our tally to minus two. FULL TIME: 0-3 Robert on CTO: Dominant performance until we eased up after the third. Kelty were poor and their defence contributed to each goal, but we had to score. Mckay’s opener was the pick, curling the ball in. Longstaff scored the second with a header, whilst Wotherspoon juggled the ball before calmly netting the third. Chalmers ran the midfield and McIntyre looked good at left back. An enjoyable afternoon in the sun but we will have tougher tests ahead. Great start to the season for the Caley Jags with Peterhead the early front runners after beating East Fife 4-1. Alloa raised a few eyebrows with their League Cup exploits and came from behind to overcome Stenhousemuir 1-2. Queen of the South and Hamilton Accies both recorded 2-0 wins. Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Peterhead 1 3 3 2 Accies 1 2 3 3 Queens 1 2 3 4 Alloa Ath 1 1 3 5 Stenny 1 -1 0 6 Montrose 1 -2 0 7 Cove 1 -2 0 8 East Fife 1 -3 0 9 Kelty 1 -3 0 10 ICTFC 1 3 -2 Date: 02/07/2025 Venue: New Central Park Attendance: 0613 Referee: George Calder Kelty Hearts: 0Manager: Thomas O'Ware Lineup: Armour; Mercer (82), Wylie, Brydon, Paterson, Murray (Carrol 82), Masson (Graham 66), Arnott, Johnston, Cole (Teasdale 75), McCarvel Subs (not used): Adamson; Bexfield, Leitch Scorers: none Booked: Teasdale (83) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 3Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, MacIntyre, Sole (R Thompson 82), Wotherspoon (Alonge 70), Chalmers (Robertson 89), Longstaff (Strachan 89), Stewart, B Mckay (Bavidge 70) Subs (not used): Ross; Walker, Nixon Scorers: B Mckay (4), Longstaff (38) Booked: Devine (65), Longstaff (79) Sent Off: none

And that's a wrap The final game of the season was at Links Park, Montrose, with both sides already assured of their League1 status for next season. Scott Kellacher went with the strongest starting XI available with Dibaga, MacKinnon and Strachan missing out and Marcus Gill helping out between the sticks with MacLeod and Nolan outfield. Stewart Petrie had maybe rested a couple of starters with Cammy Gill, Lyons, Dillon and Wighton on the bench but the Gudgie started as did Matheus Machado. Inverness ended the season on a high after dominating Montrose at Links Park. Paul Allan on the break and Billy Mckay after an hour did the damage in a game dominated by the Caley Jags. What an ending to a turbulent season. And that's a wrap ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Action in the Montrose goalmouth in the first minute as Paul Allan brought out a save from Ross Mathews in goal as he kept out Allan's goalbound effort. Billy Mckay missed the target five minutes later after connecting with a cross and Graham Webster was denied by Marcus Gill as the hosts hit back and Aidan Quinn had an early effort blocked. Fifteen minutes in and Allan was one on one with Mathews, alas it was the keeper that prevailed. Keith Bray saw a shot blocked as the visitors kept the pressure on the home defence and a couple of minutes later he was denied by Mathews and had another go blocked as well. Sir Lancelot tried his luck from a tight angle but Gill stood firm. Allan was once more thwarted by Mathews and as the game went to the other end, an Owen Stirton shot was blocked. However, it was the visitors who were looking most likely to open the scoring. News coming in near half time was that Kelty were cruising two up on Alloa, thus ring fencing sixth leaving Montrose and Inverness to battle it out for seventh and eighth. Defences were on top at Links Park though and Pollard and Mckay were next to get shots away at either end of the park without troubling the keepers. Just on the interval Gill saved high from Quinn and Machado fired over, but moments later Paul Allan opened the scoring from close range in time added on. Goal stemmed from Billy Mckay’s ball that found Allan in the box and he knocked it into the net! That ended a frantic first half that the visitors had dominated without threatening to run away with the game. HALF TIME: 0-1 Alloa had pulled a goal back just before half time, so sixth place was back on should they draw level with Kelty. With that in mind the Caley Jags laid siege to the home goal with Alfie Stewart and Keith Bray going close as the corner count mounted. Ben Brannan was next to have a go with Mathews up to the task once more. Montrose subbed the Gudgie off but the shooting practice continued with MacLeod and Bray having a go. Would this profligacy come back to bite us on the rrrs? Not now as Billy Mckay scored his third in three when he shot home from outside the box. Great end to the season for Billy. The procession didn't stop there though as Paul Allan and Callum MacLeod fired goalwards. Everyone and their dog were now having a go with Danny Devine and Robbie Thompson next in line. Marcus Gill saved well from Webster as Montrose tried to grab a consolation. As it was, we ended on a high. Well done Kells and the boys. What a season, for many different reasons. FULL TIME: 0-2 Fabulous end to the season for Inverness and Billy Mckay We fell just short of sixth as Alloa failed to take a point off Kelty. More match reaction to follow. Date: 03/05/2025 Venue: Links Park, Montrose Attendance: 1018 Referee: Colin Whyte Montrose: 0 Manager: Stewart Petrie Lineup: Mathews; Williamson (Brown 75), Quinn (Dillon 57), Watson (Masson 70), Freeman, Bertie, Gardyne (Sandilands 57), Machado, Webster, Pollard (Wighton 75), Stirton, Subs (not used): Gill; Redwood, Martin, Lyons Scorers: none Booked: Machado (41) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Gill; Brannan, Devine (J Walker 81), Savage, Nolan, Bray (Longstaff 64), Gilmour, Allan (Keogh 81), MacLeod, Stewart (R Thompson 74), B Mckay (Cairns 64) Subs (not used): Rebilas; Ewan, Gardiner Scorers: Allan (45+2), B Mckay (61) Booked: none Sent Off: none a

What's it all about Alfie Inverness bolstered their squad with a couple of Alfie's on loan from Aberdeen, Bavidge and Stewart. Jack Walker also returned from Nairn County ahead of the visit of fellow Administration side Dumbarton, in what has been described as a six-pointer and it's only the 4th of January. The covers were removed in double quick time thanks to around fifty volunteers who turned up to help get the pitch ready for today's game after a week of frost on a brisk Saturday morning with the sun splitting the sky. It turned into a bitterly cold afternoon but new signing Alfie Bavidge warmed the home fans palms when he opened the scoring after fifteen minutes. The Sons had to replace keeper Brett Long before the break after he caught a ball but landed awkwardly and had to get helped from the pitch. Replacement keeper Paddy O'Neil pulled off a tremendous save just on the interval but he had no chance with a powerful drive from Charlie Gilmour who doubled the lead twenty minutes from the end. The Sons battled hard and Finlay Gray struck the post but Inverness took the points to narrow the gap on Annan Athletic to seven points with a game in hand. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With Alfie Bavidge running the channels up front alongside Billy Mckay and often Adam MacKinnon backing them up it was no surprise that Inverness were on the front foot in the early exchanges. It was no surprise that the hosts opened the scoring after fifteen minutes when a superb ball down the right wing from Luis Longstaff curled invitingly into the feet of Adam MacKinnon who had made the run forward. He went to the byeline before swinging in a dangerous first time ball into the Sons six yard box which they failed to deal with effectively. Alfie won't score an easier goal this season as the ball broke to him inside the box and he swept it into the net for a debut goal. Lovely moment for the young striker. His next attempt minutes later was not so profitable as a wild swing saw him slice the ball out for a throw in fifty yards wide. We'll ignore that one. There followed a bit of a lull with Inverness dominating play and Dumbarton looking to keep the damage to a minimum. They almost conceded a second when Billy Mckay was threaded through on the left side, however after skipping wide of Brett Long, the keeper recovered sufficiently to get a touch on Mckay's effort from the tightest of angles, the ball running across the face of the goal and out for a corner. The Sons then had to replace keeper Long ten minutes before the break after he caught a ball but landed awkwardly and had to get helped from the pitch. MacKinnon tested the sub keeper with a low shot from the edge of the box and the replacement keeper Paddy O'Neil pulled off a stunning save just on the interval diving high to his left to deny a thunderous Luis Longstaff volley from the edge of the box as he tipped the ball out for a corner which never happened. HALF TIME: 1-0 Dumbarton looked a bit more aggressive after the break and Ethan Brown's blocked shot brought about appeals for a penalty, but to no avail. Mckay had an effort saved as the hosts continued to dominate and with twenty-minutes remaining Charlie Gilmour side footed in a second goal after a short corner routine saw MacKinnon cut the ball back to Gilmour fifteen yards out and he first timed a side footer high into the net with power. That goal stung Dumbarton into action and they eventually managed to create a couple of opportunities of their own. Dibaga blocked well from Gray as he sprinted clear on the left side of the box. From the corner, Clark's header grazed the top of the bar although there may have been an infringement in the build up. Either way, a goal kick or free kick was given. Gray was then unlucky with twenty minutes remaining when he was put through on the left side again, this time he beat Dibaga at his near post but the ball rebounded to safety off the base of the post. Devine headed wide late on and a couple of promising moves broke down on the edge of the visitors box as Inverness then saw out the game in control. The only downside was an injury to Longstaff who was replaced by Alfie Stewart for his debut. FULL TIME: 2-0 A thoroughly deserved win after last weeks disappointing result against Cove Rangers. New signing Alfie Bavidge was rightly awarded the MotM, not just for his debut goal, but he was a constant threat, tirelessly running the channels like his olde man did back in the day and with plenty of pace and a good first touch. He also seemed to give Billy Mckay an extra spring in his step and he was unlucky not to score. He will certainly be an asset for the Caley Jags in 2025 and Alfie Stewart got a few minutes under his belt as well. Good start to the year for us and hopefully the springboard to go on a wee run and get back into the pack. Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Arbroath 20 8 34 2 Stenny 20 9 31 3 Kelty Hearts 20 9 30 4 Cove 20 5 28 5 Alloa Ath 20 4 28 6 Queen of St 19 -4 25 7 Montrose 20 -2 24 8 Annan Ath 20 -16 20 9 Inverness CT 19 -1 13 10 Dumbarton 20 -12 07 Date: 04/01/2025 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1894 Referee: Dan McFarlane Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Dibaga; Bray, Devine, Savage, Nolan, Longstaff (Stewart 75), Gilmour, Allan, MacKinnon (Cairns 85), B Mckay, Bavidge (C Mackay 94) Subs (not used): Rebilas; Strachan, J Walker, MacLeod, R Thompson Scorers: Bavidge (15), Gilmour (77) Booked: none Sent Off: none Dumbarton: 0 Manager: Stephen Farrell Lineup: Long (O'Neil 37); Pignatiello, Lynas (Durnan 68), Brown, Clark, Wilson (Hilton 68), Niang, Gray (Mumbongo 85), Blair, Shiels (McGuffie 85), Orsi Subs (not used): Young, Wallace, Doyle, Nicol. Scorers: none Booked: Shiels (60), McGuffie (88) Sent Off: none a

Howden Enders Farewell With the sad passing of the Immortal Howden Ender, the outcome of this game was immaterial. Johndo had travelled all over Britain to watch his beloved club and also into Europe when we went to Astra Giurgiu of Romania. Sadly, this morning he passed away suddenly and everyone at CTO passes on our our deepest condolences to his family friends and extended family at this saddest of times. He did witness Inverness lift the Scottish Cup and was looking forward to the club getting back on track after the financial woes. Sadly, he will never know, but his legacy will live longer than those at the helm just now. Johndo was Captain of the HMS Sneck a vessel he guided through stormy waters and the doldrums. It just won't be the same without you and your Smileymometer 🙂 after the games, or your pre-season five-a-side tournaments 😂 RIP Legend! Arbroath won the bonus point after winning the penalty shoot-out following a goalless 90 minutes, but that was of secondary importance tonight. This was Johndo casually lying on the goal line after we won promotion by beating St Johnston 3-1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A couple of early corners came to nothing for the visitors in the first two minutes, and in an even start to the game, both keepers were called into action over opening twenty minutes, Newman saving from Innes Murray and McAdams denying Calum Mackay. Ryan Dow passed up a good opportunity after half an hour but he shot narrowly wide of the home goal frame. Jack Walker was stretchered off with a nasty head injury after a lengthy stoppage before the interval and he was replaced by Charlie Gilmour. On the resumption of play, Shae Keogh had an effort saved by McAdams in the visitors goal but it remained goalless at the interval. HALF TIME: 0-0 Billy Mckay, Luis Longstaff and Ben Corner came on after the break but it was Arbroath who started the second half with intent. Newman saved from Mark Stowe and Tam O'Brien headed close to the post following a corner. David Gold was crocked with twenty minutes left and he was unable to continue ten minutes later leaving the visitors down to ten men for the final fifteen. Jake Davidson tried his luck but shot wide with the clock ticking down and Billy Mckay shot over with two minutes of normal time left. FULL TIME: 0-0 Penalty Shoot-Out for the bonus point goes to the visitors 3-5 with a full house. Arbroath: Murray✅ Callachan✅ Stowe✅ Wilkie✅ Bisland✅ 5 Inverness CT: B Mckay✅ Longstaff❌ Savage✅ Gilmour✅ 3 Date: 23/07/2020 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 0794 Referee: Stewart Luke Inverness CT: 0 (3 pens) Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Newman; Bray, Davidson, Walker (Gilmour 42), Savage, Strachan, C Mackay (Longstaff 46), MacLeod, Keogh (B Mckay 46), Thompson (Ferguson 71), Brooks (Corner 46) Subs (not used): Rebilas; Nixon Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none Arbroath: 0 (5 pens) Manager: Jim McIntyre Lineup: McAdams; Steele, Wilkie, O'Brien (Walker 60), Bisland, Slater, Gold, Callachan, Dow (Stowe 45+6), Murray, Spalding Subs (not used): Hemfrey (gk) Scorers: none Booked: Stowe (90+1) Sent Off: none a

102 and Counting With his 102nd goal of his Caley Thistle career scored against Airdrie, William Robert Mckay became our top scorer ever surpassing the 101 goals of 'Sir' Dennis Wyness. What an achievement that is from Billy who is in his third spell at the Caledonian Stadium. Billy joined Inverness from Northampton Town in 2011 but there was little hint of what was to come when he made his debut in August 2011, replacing Aaron Doran in a 2-1 home win over Killie. He was sparingly used and often played out of position and suffered injury issues as well. He got off the mark scoring with a header in a 3-2 home defeat to Dundee United. His appearances were sporadic and he made only 24 appearances scoring only 3 goals by the end of the season. A two year deal was signed and things kicked on for Billy as he scored regularly and picked up the SPL Player of the Month award for November. It got even better the week after when he scored his first career hat-trick against Dundee United in an incredible 4-4 draw at Tannadice. The Legend status was building fast as his reputation spread. That brought about transfer speculation which Terry Butcher quoshed by offering Mckay a new contract which was secured in March of 2013. More speculation followed in 2013 with a move to Bulgaria rejected and the scoring continued. 9 goals from 9 matches and Septembers SPFL Player of the Month award in the bag. A great season ended with 22 goals from 46 games including a runners up medal in the League Cup loss on penalties to Aberdeen. A slow start to season 2014/2015 eventually took off but with his contract running out Billy was sold to Wigan Athletic for a cut price around £150K. What happened at Wigan stays at Wigan Billy was loaned back to Inverness at the end of January 2017 and he executed a brilliant overhead kick goal to beat Rangers at the end of February which ended a 15 game winless streak. He was then lured to the dark side which we won't go into on here. They released him at the end of the 20/21 season and Billy signed on again for his third spell for two years. He was in the PFA Championship Team of the Year at the end of season 21/22. The rest, as they say, is history. He scored his 99th and 100th goals at Hampden as we beat Falkirk 3-0 and he played in the 2023 Cup Final defeat to Celtic. His record breaking goal was a penalty kick, won by and scored by himself. He was the CTO Player of the Year 2023, an accolade he richly deserved. He won the ICTFC Players Player of the Year, the Fans Player of the Year and also the goal of the year. What a season that was for Billy! Billy made his 250th appearance against Dundee on Sunday and was given the Captains armband. Legend! He does what it says on the tin: 'He scores when he wants' Billy Mckay: Legend. Here is all of his 102 goals for Inverness Caledonian Thistle from ICTFC YouTube Channel

Cup of woe for Livi Inverness had a surprise inclusion on the bench in the shape of Robbie Deas, who has been out since breaking a bone in his leg last October in a 1-1 draw with Raith Rovers. Other than that, no major changes. Both keepers were tested early with Livingston's Stephen Kelly first to test Mark Ridgers as he shot from outside the box in the third minute. Nathan Shaw responded for the visitors a minute later with Shamal George denying him after his shot deflected off Billy Mckay. Ridgers did well to save a Stephen Bradley free kick at the expense of a corner. From that, Obileye met the ball at the back post but slammed it wide. Bruce Anderson was replaced early by Cristian Montana after an injury to the striker in the 13th minute. Substitute Montana shot high and wide from the edge of the box after twenty minutes. He would shoot over again after half an hour as Livi began to boss the game with Inverness looking for the bell to get them to the interval level. Five minutes before the break Inverness survived a double spike when Obileye's header from Kelly's free-kick blocked on the line before he sent the rebound wide of the post. Close shave for the visitors and Obileye headed wide just before the whistle to keep it all square. Home 63%------Possession-------Away 37% Half Time: 0-0 Livi made a change at the interval with Kurtis Guthrie replacing Bradley and were back on the front foot immediately with the visitors defence blocking a couple of early efforts from Penrice and Devlin, Sean Welsh with a great block. Kurtis Guthrie then saw his shot saved before Billy Mckay opened the scoring with a sensational strike after we broke forward in the 51st minute, shooting high into the net with an assist from Jay Henderson's ball over the top. Guthrie then headed wide as the Lions responded but it was the Caley Jags that increased their lead through captain Sean Welsh who headed home via the post from a Nathan Shaw cross. Kurtis headed over again as Livi looked for a way back into the tie and Bahamboula saw his shot blocked. Ridgers saved from Joel Nouble as the pressure increased on the Inverness end. However, once more it was Inverness that were sharp in front of goal as Billy Mckay scored a third into the top corner, his 95th goal for Inverness. Ridgers saved low down to deny a bullet header from Obileye with six minutes remaining. That's how it finished and Inverness go into the draw for the Quarter Finals. Full Time 0-3 What a result! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match Reaction Livingston boss David Martindale: "Everything that could go wrong went wrong in the second-half. I've got to give credit to Inverness, they came here with a game plan and executed it very well. "It didn't look like a Livingston team. We started well but they scored and we chased the game. Our shape was all over the place for the first two goals and I need to reflect on that." Inverness manager Billy Dodds: "It's the best performance since I've been here. We've had some big results but performance-wise, looking dangerous and solid in shape, helping one another out, being ruthless in front of goal. It was all there today. "It's the first time I've been able to sit there and not bite my fingernails. It was nice, we were decent and deserved to go through. I asked them to take the final step at half time. Take one goal, you'll spook them, and Billy has come up with two belters." Top Quotes so far on CTO Snorbens_Caleyman: One for the historians - has anyone ever won the cup after being knocked out of it? 😂 CaleyCanary: Well my gast is well and truly flabbered! Don't know where that came from, don’t really care where it came from, was not expecting anything like this result. A huge well done to everyone, definitely one to add to our classics. Championship Player of the Month for January Billy Mckay scored two superb goals against Livingston in the Scottish Cup today and was MotM. Billy is now on 95 goals for Inverness and is closing in on Dennis Wyness' all time record of 102 goals. Sean Welsh chipped in with a header to complete the scoring as Inverness go into the Quarter final draw along with Hearts, Ayr United, Kilmarnock, Raith Rovers and Celtic, with two ties still remaining. Rangers v Partick Thistle and Darvel v Falkirk. Pick these out... Here's a happy man Date: 11/02/2023 Venue: Tony Macaroni, Almondvale Attendance: 1284 Referee: Don Robertson Livingston: 0 Manager: David Martindale Lineup: George; Devlin, Fitzwater, Obileye, Penrice (Bahamboula 58), Holt, Pittman (Shinnie 58), Kelly, Bradley (Guthrie 45), Nouble, Anderson (Montano 13) Subs (not used): Hamilton; de Lucas, Longridge, Omeonga, Kelly Scorers: none Booked: Devlin (57), Shinnie (78) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 3 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: Ridgers; Carson, Duffy, Devine, Harper, Henderson (Delaney 82), Welsh, Allardice, Shaw (Hyde 85), D Mackay (Doran 88) B Mckay (Boyd 88) Subs (not used): C Mackay, Deas, Strachan Scorers: B Mckay (51, 80), Welsh (62) Booked: Welsh (57), B Mckay (60), Carson (72) Sent Off: none a

Ayr Pressure not enough Ayr started the day three points ahead of Inverness. They would end the day level. Plenty of pressure from the hosts in a dominant first half but the nearest they came to a goal was a Mark Mckenzie header that came off the bar and the same player missed from six yards after being set up by Dipo Akinyemi. Inverness would be relieved to get to the interval on level terms. Cammy Harper glanced in a header just after the break to open the scoring. That's how it ended after a difficult ninety minutes but it's three wins on the bounce on the road. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ayr were one of the early leaders ahead of the visit from the Caley Jags. They strengthened their push for promotion by adding the man with the sweet left foot to their squad ahead of this encounter, Logan Chalmers, and he started on the bench today. Inverness were still without a handful of players although Max Ram played for an hour last week against Brechin City and he and Roddy MacGregor were on the bench after a few weeks out with injury. Ayr got the game underway and forced two early corners before Andy Murdoch shot wide in the third minute. Inverness responded with Steven Boyd winning a corner from a deflected shot and Ayr cleared the ball effectively. In the twelfth minute, a Mark McKenzie header hit the bar and out for a goal kick after Josh Mullin had crossed into the box. Big let off for the visitors. Quarter of an hour gone and the two Mackay's combined before Daniel brings out an excellent save from Albinson at his near post and Murdoch's looped header cleared Mark Ridgers' crossbar as Ayr went forward again. Billy Mckay sliced wide after Dan Mackay's shot from the left side was blocked and fell for Billy on the volley. More Ayr pressure saw a Mullin effort blocked and Musonda headed over the subsequent corner midway through the half. Ayr were racking up the corners in the first half with half an hour played, one every three minutes and counting with Sean McGinty next to head wide. Ten minutes before the break a rare foray forward saw George Oakley and Billy Mckay interact but the latters cut back was cleared by the defence and five minutes before the interval McKenzie should have done better but he shot wide from six yards after good work by Akinyemi. We went in level at the interval but Ayr were knocking on the door with some intent. HALF TIME: 0-0 Having been on the back foot for most of the first forty-five, Inverness stunned Ayr by opening the scoring through Cammy Harper with a glancing header into the bottom corner two minutes after the break from a Boyd cross. Photo from caleyjags.com shows Harper wheeling away after scoring the only goal of the game. What a start to the second half from the visitors and Oakley had a header saved by Albinson ten minutes later when he met David Carson's cross at the back post. Could easily have been two up. Substitute Jayden Mitchell-Lawson went close two minutes after coming on, shooting just wide from eighteen yards and Brad Young forced Ridgers into making a save from his header. Dodds replaced Dan Mackay with Aaron Doran with some twenty minutes left but it was Ayr substitute Logan Chalmers that shot over soon after with Jordan Houston following suit. A Dempsey corner looked to be cleared away from the line as Ayr pushed for an equaliser with three minutes remaining and the same player shot over in the dying ember, but that was it as Inverness held out for their third win on the bounce away from home. Another tremendous result on the road for Dodds' men, now level on 14 points with Ayr and third equal in the table. FULL TIME: 0-1 Ayr will feel aggrieved that they never took anything from that game having created a raft of chances but Harper took his chance well and Oakley could have added a second. Great clearance off the line near the end and a muted penalty appeal from Ayr and I doubt Billy Dodds will be complaining about the result. Good to see Roddy MacGregor getting a few minutes on the park. Onwards and upwards we go. Date: 01/10/2022 Venue: Somerset Park, Ayr Attendance: 1866 Referee: Colin Steven Ayr United: 0 Manager: Lee Bullen Lineup: Albinson; Houston, Musonda, McGinty, Reading, Ashford (Chalmers 61), Murdoch, Dempsey, Mullin (Lawson 61), Akinyemi, McKenzie (Young 61) Subs (not used): McAdams; O'Connor, Smith, McAllister, Kirk, Bangala Scorers: none Booked: Akinyemi (58) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: Ridgers; Devine, Carson, Deas, Delaney, D Mackay (Doran 69), Allardice, Harper, Boyd (MacGregor 85), Oakley (Shaw ), B Mckay Subs (not used): C Mackay; Duffy, Ram, Hyde Scorers: Harper (47) Booked: Carson (65) Sent Off: none a

Defensive blunders assist Ayr. Ayr United took advantage of a midfield error and conceded corner from whence Sean McGinty headed the opening goal in a poor first half. McAdams saved Ayr before the interval with a great double save within ten seconds of each other as Inverness searched for an opening. Adeloye doubled the lead just after the hour seconds after coming on with Inverness in disarray. Lewis Nicolson struck with a first time cross that ended up in the top corner to throw Inverness a lifeline, but we remained winless in two months. Any hopes of promotion up in the Ayr. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Inverness were still missing Scott Allardice, Danny Devine, Roddy MacGregor and Tom Walsh. Add to that surprise omissions of Mark Ridgers and captain Sean Welsh then you can see that our squad is down to the bare bones. Ryan Esson found himself on the bench with Aaron Doran. Michael Hewitt missed out for Ayr in their much altered squad since the January sales, but they were unchanged from the side that beat Kilmarnock. The visitors got the game underway kicking towards the North Stand with the sun making an appearance after the storms earlier in the week. Logan Chalmers had the first opportunity of the game after doing well down the left, but he opted to shoot and his angled effort was put behind for a corner which he took himself and made an arse of it. Ashford responded for Ayr on the break as he burst forward, but his shot from the left side of the box was easily stopped by Cammy Mackay deputising for the unwell Mark Ridgers. Broadfoot will need to use his experience against Ashford who easily outpaced the veteran defender. The only thing of note in the first twenty minutes was a needless booking for David Carson for a rash tackle in midfield, and that would determine his day later in the game. Ayr opened the scoring out of nothing. Harper fresh from a booking lost the ball in midfield and Ayr broke forward to win a corner. When it came in Sean McGinty scored a simple header to open the scoring, the consequence of an error on the halfway line. Basic play gone wrong. McAdams made a tremendous double save firstly from Logan Chalmers then seconds later from Shane Sutherland to keep Ayr ahead five minutes before the interval. We tried to respond before the interval but Carson didn't have the legs to get away from the defender as he approached the box, and at the break it was Ayr that held the lead. HALF TIME: 0-1 No changes at the interval and Inverness with it all to do as they play towards the North Stand, however the final ball would need to improve if the hosts were to get anything from this game. Sam Pearson made a darting run down the right and cut along the bye-line, but McAdams put his shot come cross behind for a fruitless corner. Harper almost cost a second goal with a replica error of the first, but this time there were no takers for the dangerous low cross that fizzed across the box. Kirk Broadfoot was next to make the error and Cammy Mackay got him out of jail with a superb block. Reece McAlear fired a sharp thirty yard left foot effort wide of McAdams left hand post, but it was a tad ambitious to say the least. Ayr substitute Tomi Adeloye scored with his first touch seconds after coming on, whether he knew much about it or not, but the ball ended up in the net after a great cross from McKenzie. No surprise that the red card waiting to happen arrived when Carson made another ridiculous challenge and the promotion push looked to have ended right there. Sub Lewis Nicolson fired a deep cross into the box and it ended up in the far corner of the net with five minutes left to throw the hosts a lifeline. But it was simply too little too late once more. How often have we said that this year. FULL TIME: 1-2 We were simply clutching at straws as Ayr recorded their first win at the Caledonian Stadium in over nineteen years. Yes, gone are the days when we could give Ayr a three goal start and go on to thrash them. We better get used to this as the future looks bleak given our current circumstances and apparent demise. Well, what can you say! The best ever chance of promotion and those at the helm seem hell bent on keeping jobs for boys rather than trying to get promoted. A complete lack of ambition has led to a complete lack of confidence. One has to question what the hell is going on at the club. Why have we no defenders. Are we preparing for obscurity. A once proud club that was always prepared to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in seem incapable of doing the basics at the moment. What was our marque signing. A striker that can't score, a disruptive winger that unsettled the whole squad, an ageing defender that is two yards off the pace, a proven penalty box striker that is starved of service, any amount of sub standard forwards and to top it all no defensive cover and a manager that can't manage. Like the team, I've pretty much thrown the towel in for this season. If it weren't for the distant hope that we cling on for dear life and remain in a play-off place at the end of the season then, I'm done. Is it possible come the end of the season that we get a full squad back and triumph in the knock outs at the death? I for one won't be holding my breath, and there's plenty more like me who are just going through the motions, and that includes the players. Management beware: The Long Knives are out and the fans are revolting! Many claim there's better in the commentary box.🎧 Apparently they call them highlights... <<Spin Doctor Alert>> Date: 19/02/2022 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1850 Referee: Kevin Clancy Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: C Mackay; Duffy (Hardy 71) Broadfoot, Deas, Harper (Nicolson 86), Pearson (Doran 78), Carson, McAlear, Sutherland (Samuels 69),Chalmers (Hyde 78), B Mckay Subs (not used): Esson; Scorers: L Nicolson (86) Booked: Carson (19, 68), Harper (33), Sent Off: Carson (68) Ayr United: 2 Manager: Lee Bullen Lineup: McAdams; Houston (Rowe 62), Muirhead, McGinty, Reading, Murdoch, Mcinroy, Maxwell (O'Connor 89), Dempsey (Smith 89), Ashford (Adeloye 62), McKenzie (Gondoh 89) Subs (not used): Albinson; Fjortoft, Baird, Bryden Scorers: McGinty (35), Adeloye (64) Booked: Mackenzie (31) Sent Off: none a

It's a cinch After a goalless first half Shane Sutherland broke through the middle to drink the ball neatly over Gaston for the opening goal with just over twenty minutes left. A late rally from the hosts should have drawn them level but Inverness hung on grimly to take all three points. In the opening forty-five, Sutherland had an effort cleared off the line and Nouble proved to be an awkward customer as he bulldozed his way around the park spurning the Lichties best chance of the first half. It was a welcome three points but a difficult watch throughout. Billy Mckay and Anthony McDdonald were both on the bench for the opening fixture. David Carson was fit enough to start but Sean Welsh missed out through injury. Bright sunshine and football fans welcomed the teams onto the park for the opening fixture of the cinch championship. Inverness started on the front foot with Tom Walsh prominent down the left flank and Manny Duku a willing chaser. Despite Walsh seeing plenty of the ball, most of his efforts to cut inside and cross the ball ended on the head or feet of an Arbroath defender. The closest call in the opening exchanges came at the other end when the bustling Joel Nouble broke forward on the inside right channel but dragged his effort just wide across the keeper. At the other end Allardice arrived on the edge of the box just in time to meet a lay off between Walsh and Duku but he lashed his shot just over the bar. Minutes later Duku did well to find Sutherland in the box but his shot was blocked inside the six-yard box en route to the net. That would be the best opportunity for either side in a tousy first half. Half Time: 0-0 The second period saw Nicky Low fire a yard wide from a free kick and a super headed 'goal' from Duku was adjudged offside as both teams looked for the opener. Ridgers saved well after McKenna headed goalwards as Arbroath began to open out. However the deadlock was broken when Shane Sutherland pounced on an error on the halfway line as Donnelly intercepted a Duku lay-off and tried to head the ball back to safety. Sutherland anticipated brilliantly, and as he raced forward he dinked the ball over the keeper from 19 yards to put the visitors ahead. A classy finish out of context with the rest of the game. That goal seemed to agitate Arbroath and they started to put the visitors on the back foot thereafter. For all their possession, they were unable to create many clear cut opportunities although the visitors back line led a charmed life at times. Devine and Broadfoot were able to mop up most attacks as Arbroath looked to feed the mountainous Nouble to no avail. By the ninetieth minute they seemed to have blown over and we saw out the four minutes of injury time with Arbroath eventually resigning themselves to defeat. Best for Inverness in a difficult watch were mostly in midfield where Allardice and McAlear shone through the dross with Sutherland applying that classy finish to raise the profile of a somewhat tedious game. Good to see Billy Mckay getting a few minutes on the park. Oh, and the referee; He's the real deal. Date: 31/07/2021 Venue: Gayfield Park, Arbroath Attendance: 1008 Referee: David Dickinson Arbroath: 0 Manager: Dick Campbell Lineup: Gaston; Stewart (Swankie 83), Little, O'Brien, Colin Hamilton, Linn (Hilson 62), Low, McKenna, Clark (Craven 78), Donnelly, Nouble Subs (not used): Antell; Chris Hamilton, Paterson Scorers: none Booked: Hamilton (33), Swankie (94) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: Ridgers; Carson, Devine, Broadfoot, Deas, Walsh (Harper 74), MacGregor (Mckay 79), Allardice, McAlear, Sutherland, Duku (Hyde 90) Subs (not used): C Mackay; Duffy, Jamieson, McDonald, Scorers: Sutherland (66) Booked: Broadfoot (52), Mckay (81) Sent Off: none a

Winning start for Dodds The season kicked off in earnest tonight for the Caley Jags with a group 'A' League Cup encounter against Peterhead. It was a winning start for Billy Dodds in his first competitive game in charge of Inverness. It was a second defeat for Peterhead who been beaten in their opener by Hearts at the weekend. After a cautious start Inverness began to control the pace of the game but chances were at a premium. The best chance came when Aaron Doran spectacularly flicked a cross goalwards but Brett Long dived to his right to prevent a goal. Tom Walsh blazed a strike over on the run after a dummy from Duku put him through. Manny Duku was causing problems on the ground and in the air. Sean Welsh missed a tremendous opportunity as he headed just over when it looked easier to score, but it remained goalless at the interval. Early in the second half Duku broke the deadlock with a drilled effort from just inside the box and Aaron Doran doubled the advantage with a stunning thirty yard shot into the top corner four minutes later. The hosts saw out the remainder of the game well in control with Peterhead rarely threatening. New signings Kirk Broadfoot, Manny Duku, Reece McAlear and Tom Walsh all started with Michael Gardyne coming on from the bench. Kirk Broadfoot and Manny Duku both impressed on their debut's with Tom Walsh and Aaron Doran playing with a spring in their step. Match Reaction CTO Robert said: "Enjoyed that. Very dominant and two early goals in the second half secured the win. A couple of thoughts driving home. Broadfoot and Fyffe swapped centre half roles at half time. The whole defence clearly had confidence in Fyffe which was good to see. We looked stronger down the right with Carson and Walsh than down the left with Harper and Doran, but then Doran turned up with his goal! A word for Sutherland. He put a real shift in and didn’t give Peterhead a minute. MOM for me was actually Welsh. He was pulling the strings in midfield. A very encouraging start and we still have Deas, McDonald and Mckay who have not featured so far." CTO Jaggernaut said: "I thought the first hour was very encouraging. We were closing them down well when they had possession and our passing was brisk and on point. We lost a bit of our rhythm with all the subs, but there were a lot of good performances out there tonight." Date: 13/07/2021 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 300ish Referee: Peter Stuart Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: Ridgers; Carson, Fyffe, Broadfoot (Devine 65), Harper, Doran (Gardyne 57) Welsh, McAlear (MacGregor 57), Walsh (Hyde 78), Sutherland, Duku (Allardice 66) Subs (not used): C Mackay; Nicolson, Duffy Scorers: Duku (50), Doran (54) Booked: none Sent Off: none Peterhead: 0 Manager: Jim McInally Lineup: Long; Mulligan, Conroy, Jason Brown, McDonald, Ritchie (Strachan 86), S Brown, Cook (Ferry 55), Kesson (Cameron 46), Jordon Brown (Payne 55), Lyle (McLean 55) Subs (not used): Wilson; Mushanu Scorers: none Booked: Jason Brown (86), McLean (89), Conroy (90) Sent Off: none a

Zero No goals at the Caledonian Stadium as Inverness and United cancelled each other out on a brisk February night. Andy Shinnie had the best opportunity to break the deadlock in the second half but he headed straight at the keeper when either side of him would have seen a goal, but it was not to be as Inverness dropped to third with Motherwell beating Celtic to jump into second spot. It's oh so tight as the league reaches the tickly spot. Couldn't manage another four goals tonight and the commentators curse struck as we had to settle for a no scoring draw in the end. Richie Foran recovered sufficiently to make the bench and Josh Meekings replaced the suspended Gary Warren, partnering Daniel Devine at the rear. Ryan Esson continued in goal with Reguero as standby. United set out their stall with an attack minded side, probably just as well for them as their defending has been suspect at times. Michael Gardyne getting a start with Stuart Armstrong on the bench. Inverness started brightest and pegged United back in the early stages looking for the breakthrough. For all his height, Owain Tudur-Jones should be an ideal target at set pieces, alas, heading is not his strong point and he wasted a good opportunity meekly heading a Doran corner wide of the keepers left hand post. United responded and Jon Daly did likewise at the other end as headers seemed to be the preferred method of attack, Billy McKay nodding one direct at Cierzniak from a great position as the play opened out. Neither side were able to get a foothold in the match as the play went from end to end and defences were mainly on top, but contract boy Andy Shinnie came closest, forcing Cierzniak into a diving save just before half time as he wheeled on the edge of the box and fired a shot low towards the goal, but the keeper was equal to it. Half Time 1-1 The second period continued in the same theme and I've seen worse nil nil games. Aaron Doran was teasing and probing at one end and Gary Mackay-Stevens was doing the same at the other end, but poor final balls and good defending thwarted most moves. Around the hour mark, the cumbersome Jon Daly passed up the Arabs best chance so far, heading over from six yards. He should have made the keeper work.. United were becoming more prominent and they seemed to gain the upper hand possession wise, but clear chances were at a premium as the play went from end to end. Esson saved a shot from substitute Armstrong to keep the score blank and the United goalie did likewise from the classy Andy Shinnie, who was at full stretch to turn a ball goalwards. Armstrong blazed a loose ball high over the bar at the other end when he should have done better with the defence struggling to cover him. It was Shinnie that should have broken the deadlock after some neat play when he strode onto an outswinging cross from Doran, but his diving header was straight down the keepers throat and the chance was wasted. With twelve minutes remaining, Ryan Esson earned his corn when he grappled with a deflected Rankin shot from close range and eventually pounced on the ball before it squirmed over the line. Close call! The long awaited return of Richie Foran was a welcome sight with ten minutes left on the clock and he looked eager to get involved, and he livened the last few minutes up, but it was United who pressed at the death for the goal which would steal the points, but it never came. Full Time 0-0 A draw was just about right although Inverness did create the better openings, but some woeful shooting and heading kept the score blank. The only winners from this game were Motherwell who jumped above Inverness into second place after beating Celtic 2-1. So, it's onward to Dingwall for what has now become a very meaningful game given County's recent surge of form and Inverness' apparent reluctance to kill off games. Interesting weekend ahead. tm4tj MotM:- goes to the quality player that is Andy Shinnie. Not able to get on the scoresheet last night, but his close control was a joy to behold. Danny Devine was solid at the back as was Josh Meekings and Nick Ross had one of his best games as well, so onwards to Dingwall and it's all to play for. 27th Feb 2013 Scottish Premier League Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Inverness C.T. 0 - TEAM: Esson, Raven, G Shinnie, Devine, Meekings, Doran, Draper, Tudur-Jones, Ross (Sutherland 80), A Shinnie, McKay (Foran 80) SUBS: Reguero, Laing, Polworth, Pepper, Taylor Booked: Meekings (16) Sent Off: none Dundee Utd 0 - TEAM: Cierzniak, Watson, Douglas, Dillon, McLean, Gardyne, Flood, Rankin, Mackay-Steven, Daly, Russell (Armstrong 38) SUBS: Banks, Ryan, Millar, Dow, Thomson, Souttar Booked: Flood (68) Sent Off: none Referee Brian Colvin Attendance 3413

Late drama at Shadows gig Inverness forced a dramatic last gasp equaliser which abruptly wiped the grin off a disgruntled Derek Adams' dial, and it had appeared only a minute earlier. This was the finish to end all finishes as Richie Foran drove home the ball with the last kick of the game to bring Adams to the verge of tears. It was a bright sunny day for the early kick off and the low sun would play a part in the action as the game reached a crescendo. The early action was a bit hectic with Inverness controlling the flow of the game without being too creative and County were chasing shadows for most of the first half. Billy McKay broke the deadlock with a superb volley after Foran nodded a ball back across goal. Rocco Quinn returned the compliment with an equally impressive strike then some bizarre goals swung the game in favour of the Dingwall side. Richie Foran appeared to glance a McKay shot with his face, wrong footing Mark Brown to put the visitors ahead once more. A huge deflection off David Raven saw an Ian Vigurs shot loop high over a stranded Reguero and the crazy sequence continued as a Richard Brittain free kick found it's way into the net after everyone missed it in the box, including Reguero. Game over you would have thought, Derek Adams certainly did, but after a thunderous forty yard strike by Owain Tudur-Jones was pushed away, the resulting corner saw Foran snatch a deserved leveller as he turned a Meekings header into the net to send the Caley Jags fans into hysterics. It was a frenetic opening half hour with neither side creating much although Inverness had the upper hand. That would change after half an hour whem Billy McKay scored a superb opener. Doran's free kick was headed back across goal by captain marvel Richie Foran and McKay swivelled some fifteen yards out to volley a beauty behind Mark Brown high into the net off his right hand post. It looked at this point that Inverness would sweep County aside but they almost equalised near half time when a Brittain free kick rattled Reguero's post with the keeper ensuring the ball stayed out. The loose ball found Vigurs slamming a shot goalward but it was brilliantly blocked on the line and Inverness broke swiftly to the other end. McKay had rounded Brown but his shot from a tight angle was also blocked on the line. Foran headed the corner just wide as the half ended with a flourish. It would be a taster of what was to come in the second period. Half Time 0-1 Less than five minutes into the second half and County drew level with a stunning goal of their own. Kovasevic was afforded too much space on the right and as he rolled the ball across the edge of the box, Quinn matched McKay's effort to curl the ball across Reguero into the roof of the net from twenty yards. County then looked the more likely to go on and win the game as the Inverness midfield disappeared and the Staggies new found belief saw them pressure the visiting defence, but they held firm with some frantic defending. A rare foray forward saw Andy Shinnie turn sharply in the box but Brown saved well low to his left as Inverness started to come to grips with the game again and when McKay tried a shot from distance, part of Richie Foran diverted the ball beyond a stranded Brown, from a suspiciously offside position, although Ross Tokely pulling Richie back could have seen a penalty given. Inverness were back on top now and looked likely to stretch their lead but it was the home side who threw a spanner in the works when Vigurs strolled forward some thirty yards out. He tried a long distance shot which Raven tried to block but all he succeeded in doing was to loop the ball high over the outstretched Reguero and into the net. If you thought that one was hard to take, the next one was even tougher. Vigurs was handed a free kick after a soft Raven challenge and Brittain drove a low curling ball into the six yard box. It's one of those ones where everybody is frightened to touch the ball and as nobody appeared to, it ended up in the back of the net. That cheered up Mr Adams, but his grin was swiftly removed a minute or so later. Inverness surged forward one last time and a vicious Jones thunderbolt from nigh on forty yards saw Brown struggle to keep the swerving ball out, and from the corner that followed, Meekings header landed near Foran and he scooped the ball goalwards. Nobody is sure who scored it, Roberts might be brave enough to try and claim it, and the elation drained rapidly from Derek's face as the game was over. Full Time 3-3 Not the most technically brilliant game, but it was accepted cup tie fare and two sensational goals a bit of controversy, a one man pitch invasion, flares and a greetin faced git just made my day. You couldn't write this........oh well someone has to and the dramatic end to the game just rounded off a hectic cup tie with it all to do again in the replay at Inverness. A draw was a fair reflection on the game and if the replay is half as enthralling then it will be worth watching. tm4tj MotM is going to Richie Foran who cropped up in the right places at the right time and boy, did he enjoy those goals. 1st Dec 2012, Scottish Cup, Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall Ross County: 3 - Quinn (49), Vigurs (85), Brittain (90+3) TEAM: Brown, Kovacevic, Tokely, Boyd, Fitzpatrick, Brittain, Kettlewell (Fotheringham 81), Vigurs, Quinn, Morrow (Ross 78), Glen SUBS: Fraser, Munro, Cooper Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness C.T.: 3 - McKay (30), Foran (74, 90+5) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, Warren, Meekings, G.Shinnie, A.Shinnie, Draper, Tudur-Jones, Doran, McKay, Foran SUBS: Esson, Sutherland, Pepper, Roberts, Cooper Booked: Draper (80), A.Shinnie (90) Sent Off: none Referee: Craig Thomson Attendance: 5077

#TogetherNess - The Caley Jags say Thank You to the NHS and Key Workers The Caledonian Stadium lights up to say thank you to the NHS and Key Workers The Caledonian Stadium was an incredible sight to behold in the early hours of this morning as the Main Stand was lit up in stunning blue light to say thank you to the NHS. The club came together with Inverness based KBE Event Services to run a number of stunning smoke and light programmes which entertained the unsuspecting traffic on the A9 and Kessock Bridge. The climax being the NHS tribute in blue. ICT CEO Scot Gardiner commented: "The KBE Event Services team began work at 7pm and on my arrival back at the stadium for the final touches at 11pm, it was still too light due the fantastic clear skies. It was all wrapped up just after 2am as we had to wait for real darkness but it was definitely worth the wait and the results are amazing." "It was just a shame that we couldn't shake hands as we all had to social distance the entire evening. We will have to do that in the future once we get through all of this and get to work with Kai and his team once again in the future. It was worth it to say our small thanks to the NHS and the key workers doing so much for the Highlands and beyond."

Ayr we go Ayr we go Ayr we go..... Saturday 5th October sees Inverness Caledonian Thistle make the trip south to Somerset Park to face Ayr United in the league. At 205 miles it marks the second longest journey ICT and their home based fans face on league business, only seconded by trips to Dumfries. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Supporters bus to Ayr Bus to Ayr leaves Caley Club 8.45 ...Stadium 9.00 ....Sat5th Oct . Book on Facebook or 07462 218717 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBBO55 years young ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mr Caley Jag is our scribe this week with this Preview for you....... On that travel basis alone their fans will undoubtedly be hoping for a better showing than the last display their team put on against Patrick Thistle when they were roundly defeated 3-1 at the Caledonian Stadium, some professing that the team didn’t turn up at all. That defeat brought the team and fans firmly back down to earth with a bang and the reality of another hard slog in the Championship hit home. Form Up until that point the Caley Jags were unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions recording 5 wins and 1 draw while Partick had only recorded wins in the league cup and 2 draws in the league, so form was firmly turned on its head. Our current points total of 13 from a possible 21 sees us sitting in third spot in the league 4 points clear of Dundee but 5 points behind Ayr Utd. In stark contrast Ayr United sit second on goal difference behind Dundee Utd having gone on a 5 game winning run in the league and recording only one defeat at the hands of Dundee back on the 10th August. Somerset Park has become a daunting venue for teams to visit this season and none to date have come up with any answers and walk away with any points. Ayr lost manager Ian McCall to Championship rivals Partick Thistle a couple of weeks ago and it was he who guided Partick to that win over the Caley Jags last weekend. Sandy Stewart is the caretaker boss of the Honest Men and McCall reckons he is the man who should get the permanent position at Somerset Park. He also reckons that Ayr are the best team in the Championship, but their size of squad will curtail their ambitions. Anyway, not his problem now that he has fecked off to the big money at Firhill, bloody wee Jobby. All competitions since start of the League cup on 13th July over 90mins. Ayr: WLWDWLWWDWW ICT: DWWLLWDWWWWL It’s certainly not a game to pick for your coupon that’s for sure unless you’re chasing the odds with the bookies only slightly favouring Ayr United arguably on their recent league form and the fact they are at home. Teams Inverness welcomed Brad McKay and Mitch Curry back to training last week following bouts out with injury and it remains to be seen if they’ll be fit enough to feature in any capacity. If not, they may get a run out against Brora Rangers on Sunday in the NoS Cup final. James Keatings remains out with ankle ligament damage while we await news on whether Tom Walsh will back in the team line up after he missed out against Partick. There’s no new injury concerns since the defeat to Partick unless the weekly mystery injury strikes. Ayr Utd – Life after Lawrence Shankland seems to be doing just fine at Somerset Park. With 5 wins on the bounce, Ayr would appear to have little worries ahead of this encounter. We do seem to be a bit of an Achilles Heel for the Honest Men, but that can't go on forever. Stevie Bell will be another couple of weeks before he is ready and the experienced Mark Kerr is a major doubt. Jamie Adams, Frank Ross, and Andy Murdoch are out with injuries. Other than that I expect United to be on similar lines to the last few weeks, and why not, it's working well. Here's Robbo ahead of the trip to Ayr. Championship fixtures this weekend Alloa Athletic 1-0 Dundee United Ayr united v Inverness CT Dundee v Arbroath Morton v Dunfermline Partick Thistle v Queen of the South ICT News Chief Executive Scot Gardiner sheds some light on the clubs financial situation ahead of the EGM on the 3rd October on BBC Sport Former director Graeme Bennett on what he hopes to hear/see from the forthcoming EGM can be seen in the Press & Journal ICT EGM – 3rd Oct Here's the Inverness Courier story after last nights meeting. On the back of the EGM, there will be a SUPPORTERS OPEN MEETING to be held on Tuesday 8th October, with arrival from 7pm for a 7:30pm start. Trip down memory lane 24th April 2010 Ayr United 0 - 7 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Team: Esson, Proctor, Munro, McBain (Bulvitis 26), Tokely, Hayes, Morrison, Duncan, Foran (Sanchez 64), Odhiambo (Eagle 71), Rooney Scorers: Hayes, Rooney, Foran, Odhiambo, Sanchez, Eagle, Morrison For me, this is arguably one of the best away games I have attended as a football fan and one of the best Caleyjag and I have been to together. Second last day of the season saw us guarantee the title and a return to the top flight at the first attempt under the tutelage of Terry Butcher. Chants of 'shoes up for the Caley Jags' while holding our shoes over our heads was a particular laughing point for me along with being on the pitch after the game calling out for TB to appear and address us. Aye, the sermon from the stand was brilliant! Sad news breaking with the passing of Hugh Crout, the former Caledonian FC President. “His partnership with his close friend, the late Alex Main, as team manager, was a winning combination at Telford Street. He was a real gentleman and made many friends in football, continuing his love for football by supporting ICT right up till the end. The highlight was seeing the club lift the Scottish Cup in 2015. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.” Some more sad news coming from Greg Tansey is that he will have to retire from football due to ongoing injury problems. You can read more on this in the Press & Journal. Greg played a major part in the making of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the Scottish Cup Winners, and he was one of the sweetest striker of a ball in the game. We wish Greg all the best for his future, wherever that will take him. Thanks for the memories Greg. Here's how Greg announced it on twitter....... Every footballer knows when they sign their first professional contract that it will eventually come to an end. Today is that day for me, an injury that I have been fighting for 2 years now has ended my career. On Sunday, The Pat Munro North of Scotland Cup Final against Brora Rangers FC ?3pm kick-off ?️Mosset Park, Forres ?️Adults: £10, Concessions: £5, Stand Entry: £2 Tickets available from the turnstiles on the day of the match (Cash Only) Info ? https://ictfc.com/match-info-north-of-scotland-cup-final-20… If you like a wee flutter, our partnership with FansBet can offer you something. Just click on FansBet to get started. "Remember to select CaleyThistleOnline when you register and you’ll be helping us support ICT fan causes." FansBet are partners with Supporters Direct Scotland and already have many impressive stories of giving back to and empowering fans, ranging from funding away travel, share purchases, backing safe standing projects and many more. You can read some of FansBet’s Giving Back stories on their blog at https://blog.fansbet.com/fansbet-giving-back/partners/fan/ Always remember to adopt safe gambling and responsible policies.

ICT Edge Out Cove A minutes silence was held ahead of kick-off for John Beaton, who has sadly passed away. John had devoted his life to football in this area for some 50 years and will be sadly missed. More about John on OFFICIAL SITE. John Robertson made only one change from the side that started against Raith Rovers with fit again Brad Mckay returning to right back with David Carson moving to midfield. Charlie Trafford dropped to the bench to accommodate this. Inverness came from behind to squeeze past Cove after an entertaining encounter in the tropical heat at the Caledonian Stadium. Jordan White, James Keatings and substitute Nicolay Todorov were on target for the Caley Jags with Mitch Megginson netting twice for Cove. He was a busy lad and was also red carded before the end of an eventful night. All the best to Connor Scully who had to leave the field after damaging his ankle. He was taken to Raigmore for an X-Ray to determine the extent of his injury. Results last night leave the table looking like this with Raith Rovers beating Peterhead 3-1 and Dundee idle. Inverness face Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday in a game which will decide the Group D winners. Mitch Megginson returned after injury to lead Cove onto the pitch on a roaster of a night in the Highland capital. James Keatings was first to show as he dragged a shot wide in the third minute. Jordan White also missed the target as he volleyed over after Coll Donaldson and Aaron Doran contrived to create the opening for him. Twenty minutes gone and first real threat from Cove as Jamie Masson's effort is blocked for a corner. Daniel Higgins header is flicked wide. Mark Ridgers was called into action to deny Megginson and at the other end on the half hour White headed onto the post from Doran's cross, the closest of the game so far. He would not be denied soon, although he maybe knew little about it. Jordan White opened the scoring when a Mckay header cannoned off him and into the net. White, Jamie McCart and Tom Walsh all had decent efforts but the game was level ten minutes later when Megginson scored just on the interval. Half Time 1-1 Worse was to follow for the hosts just after the break when Megginson scored again, but Keatings squared the game ten minutes later from close range. It was nip and tuck now with both sides going close. Megginson almost nabbed a hat-trick as he tried to chip Ridgers but the keeper stood tall to deny him. Walsh brought out a superb save by keeper McKenzie as he drove into the right side of the box as Inverness probed for the winner. It came from substitute Nikolay Todorov as he headed in another great cross from Walsh to put the Championship side ahead. A Red card was shown to Megginson for a late challenge on James Vincent with a little over quarter of an hour to go. Kicking the ball away in the first half doesn't seem like such a good idea now Mitch. Doh! Donaldson headed another Walsh cross wide as the game edged towards a close and a late surge by Cove saw the ball in the net although it was ruled out for hand ball just before the final whistle ended the contest. Phew! As expected, Cove were not coming along to make up the numbers and Inverness were forced to up their game to get through this tie. Tom Walsh was once again a constant threat and Nicolay Todorov scored again coming off the bench. Caley100 had this to say after the game: 'Best thing about tonight is the result, And..... the subs! We looked like we were playing in 2nd gear! Really! Cove looked sharper for most of the first half and probably should have been leading. Our goal was a wayward header from Mackay that i'm pretty sure came off White's ass'. Uncharacteristically, he did see some positives though: 'Subs, including Macgregor who was so direct and almost scored a beaut, Walsh was dangerous, the rest were pretty ordinary.............. More match reaction. Robbo Quote "Space doesn't score goals" Date: 23/07/2019 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1000 Referee: David Lowe Inverness CT: 3 Lineup: Ridgers; B Mckay, Donaldson, McCart, Tremarco (C), Doran (Curry 64), Carson, Vincent, Walsh, Keatings (MacGregor 69), White (Todorov 63). Subs (not used): C Mackay; Harper, Brown, Trafford. Scorers: White (38), Keatings (55), Todorov (71) Booked: MacGregor (90) Sent Off: none Cove Rangers: 2 Lineup: McKenzie; Yule, Milne, Redford, Higgins, Scully (Brown 81), Park (Burnett 80), Glass, Megginson (C), Scott, Masson. Subs (not used): McCafferty, Wood. Scorers: Megginson (45, 46) Booked: Megginson (52), Redford (84) Sent Off: Megginson (73 ) a

Scottish Cup time Inverness add a new name and venue to their list of opponents as they take on Edinburgh City in the third round of the Scottish Cup at Ainslie Park, Edinburgh, the game kicking off at 3:00pm on Sunday 25th November. A heads up from Graeme the City man who mentioned he was looking forward to welcoming us all to Ainslie Park on Sunday. "I'd suggest getting there early, there's not many (4) turnstyles, so a fair old queue tends to form for larger crowds". Cheers, However, it's just us that's coming so maybe we don't qualify as a big crowd.............. Ainslie Park is actually the home of Spartans FC, but with Meadowbank undergoing some major refurbishment, City will be ground sharing until Meadowbank has been modified. Incidentally, Hibernian Ladies also play out of Ainslie Park. "The nearest place to the ground to get a pint, (exluding a carry out from Morrisons) is Here " Other than that there's not a lot about, a couple in the other direction towards Granton. Although the grounds not far from Leith/Stockbridge/west end- all probably about 10 minutes in a taxi. Graeme concluded, "Going to enjoy the day whatever happens, splashed out on hospitality. it's a pity the games been moved to the Sunday. Have the utmost respect for fans travelling out with the central belt".... Thanks Graeme, have a great day whatever. Caley Stan is yer man for the millennium man Preview, (yuppies for you Scarlet) and he has not disappointed with this one................... Who the feck are Edinburgh City? It’s a legitimate question without a straightforward answer. An amateur team called Edinburgh City existed between 1928 and 1955, including a period in the Scottish League and a 3-2 victory away to Hibs in the 1937/38 Scottish Cup First Round. The Edinburgh City Social Club continued to trade thereafter, and in 1986 gave permission for Postal United (an East of Scotland League side formed in 1966) to revive the name. The new club hopped around various Edinburgh locations before settling at Meadowbank Stadium in 1996 following the demise of Meadowbank Thistle (formerly Ferranti Thistle, without whom Inverness Caledonian Thistle would not exist!). Postal United/Edinburgh City had an undistinguished existence in the EOL, winning it only once, in 2006, but the team kicked into gear at the perfect moment with the formation of the Lowland League and its accompanying pyramid play-off in 2014. City had harboured a longing for Scottish League membership since the turn of the century, failing with bids for vacant spots in 2002 and 2008, and seized upon the opportunity to win that place on the park. They won the title in its second season by a 19-point margin but lost the pyramid semi on penalties to Brora Rangers, a certain Stuart Kettlewell with the decisive strike. The following season they horsed the league again - a 15-point margin this time and followed it up by defeating Cove Rangers and East Stirlingshire to claim a place in the SPFL. They finished 7th and 9th in their first two seasons in League Two, largely retaining the squad that had taken them up. They sound like a bunch of non-league haddies, we’ll pump them stupid, right? A year ago, maybe. But something has happened since then. Edinburgh City are on an outrageous run of form, winning 10 out of their 12 league games this season (with no draws!) and sitting top of League Two. Last week, they progressed to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup with a penalties win over Alloa. What changed? They brought in a fair few players with full-time experience. At the back, Craig Thomson has played over 100 games at that level between Hearts and exile in Lithuania, and Conrad Balatoni played around 200 before joining City in the summer - both are just 27. Midfielders Marc Laird and Josh Walker have spent most of their careers in the English League Two, while up front, Danny Handling and Scott Shephard have significant top-level experience with Hibs and Falkirk respectively. But its Blair Henderson who’s been the star of the show this season - the 24 year-old striker was scoring a goal in every other game for Annan and Berwick but has upped that this season scoring 18 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions. Manager James McDonaugh has not been shy about taking credit for Henderson’s run, and indeed, the progress that City have made since he took over a year ago – see this interview at about 41mins on the Totally Scottish Football Show. McDonaugh, without any playing career of note, came through the ranks of the Hibs youth coaching system which means he must be a protégé of our own Donald Park. Jim Jeffries is also working for City as Technical Director. There must be money involved here but I haven’t found it. OK, but we have a glorious history in this competition, we pretty much are this competition, why the hell are we playing these no-marks in November? I thought the Scottish Cup started in January anyway. Our star has fallen, my friend. And they keep messing about with the early rounds of the Cup. This game, falling on November the 25th, will be the earliest we have ever started a Scottish Cup season and it’s the first time we’ve entered before the rest of the elite since 1999. The bookie that sponsors the competition was tweeting earlier in the week that we haven’t lost a 3rd round tie since 1999, and while that is technically true, we have fallen at the first hurdle on two occasions since then, albeit in what is now called the 4th Round (Hibs in 06/07 and Dundee last season). Someone will write a book about our exploits in the Scottish Cup someday (hopefully not that guy who wrote ‘Against All Odds’, that was pish), but the message here is clear: We don’t lose these games. Don’t say that, I’m getting worried now. What will Robbo do? Every time I write a preview I drop a heavy hint that I think Robbo will start with a 4-4-2 and he never does but this time I’m happy to predict that Robbo WILL start with a 4-4-2. It’s how he chose to start the season, all our strikers are fit now, and it’s how we mounted our wonderful comeback last week. I’ll be genuinely shocked if two out of Oakley/White/Austin don’t start. He’s stated that we will play our strongest available team, and with Shaun Rooney back in the squad, there will be decisions to make at the back. I’m going to need a drink before this, good thing Meadowbank has loads of good pubs nearby. Hard lines. Meadowbank is closed for refurbishment and City are groundsharing with Spartans at Ainslie Park for the next three seasons. This is fitting in a way given that City/Postal, Ferranti and the old Edinburgh City spent much of their time at the nearby but now defunct ‘City Ground’, often sharing with Spartans. Ainslie Park is a bit weird for lower league travellers - it’s a thoroughly modern facility with two 3G pitches and a five-a-side cage. With no pubs within staggering distance, and a limited number of turnstiles, some of the more boisterous elements among our away support may struggle to make the first half. Edinburgh City are stressing the importance of arriving early, the game is well-priced at £12/6 with under 12’s Free, and I hear the macaroni pies are delicious. As Noddy Holder used to say, My friend Stan got a funny old man............... ?