Shadowlands

Its off to Shadowland this weekend for the 12:15 Scottish Cup Highland derby, the first encounter in the cup between these two clubs.

Inverness hope to knock County out in the shadow boxing this Saturday. Forever in our shadows has been trending since the first SPL derby when Inverness upstaged SPL virgins Ross County to take the points and leave The Staggies in our shadows once more.

Inverness are not newcomers to playing Scottish Cup football in Dingwall. The Caledonian Stadium upgrade work was well underway in January 2005 and the tie against St Johnstone was switched to Victoria Park Dingwall in what was the then manager Craig Brewster's first playing appearance for his new club. The game was almost called off after torrential rain and sleet fell throughout, but it just escaped the weather and Inverness edged out St Johnstone with Golabek heading the winner after 75 minutes, the ground resembling a Xmas card scene long before the end.

2021 people were at that game, I imagine there will be a somewhat much bigger crowd for this one with both clubs now plying their trade in the SPL.

There has been three cup games played between the clubs. Two Challenge Cup ties both being played in Inverness and both finishing 1-0 to the Caley Jags. The third cup game was a League Cup fixture at Victoria Park in August 2004. A Barry Wilson corner was met by the head of who else, but Ross Tokely and that was enough for Inverness to advance to the next round. 3315 were at that game where County had players like John Rankin and Don Cowie in their side. Inverness were blessed with Mark Brown, Ross Tokely, Grant Munro, Russell Duncan and Michael Fraser ................ Where are they now?

The most recent derby was the first ever SPL game between the two sides where Inverness eventually ran out 3-1 winners in a storming encounter. Early goals from Ross Draper and Richie Foran put Inverness in the driving seat before Ian Vigurs reduced the leeway with a well struck free kick. A tremendous volley from Aaron Doran settled the match near the end and the TV companies were pretty pleased with the offering from both clubs.

This draw has already whetted the appetite of both sets of supporters with County fans hoping for revenge for the SPL encounter and Inverness fans looking to keep County in their shadows.

League form would tell you that Inverness would be firm favourites to progress in this competition. However, there are a few stumbling blocks to that notion. It is a derby, the fiercest rivalry in the game. It is a chance for County to gain revenge on Inverness for that first SPL derby. It is also a great opportunity for ex-Inverness players to prove a point. It is being played in Dingwall, a narrow pitch where midfield congestion is the order of the day and free space is at a premium. The Staggies will have a fair advantage in the stands, the twelfth man. We don't do favourites, and lastly, they must be sick of the taunting that has gone on since the 5th of October, almost two months of shadow baiting.

Our form away from Inverness has been startlingly good. We have won our last four away games including visits to Parkhead and Pittodrie. We have scored a goal in every game this season, our defence is getting to know each other and Billy McKay is turning into a top poacher.

County have been in indifferent form, only one win in their last six games, at home to Aberdeen, but there are three draws in that sequence. Eight goals in eight games for County in Dingwall and you can see why they are 10th in the table, but that is countered by the fact that they have only lost eight goals as well.

Inverness legend Ross Tokely has expressed his displeasure at the booing he received from a small section of the Inverness support. Let's hope there's not a repeat of this, but he can't expect Inverness fans to be cheering him on with vigour as he now plays for our local rivals.........unless he gets his header under the bar this time. Still, once a legend, always a legend and I'm sure many fans will wish him and the other defectors well, just not this weekend.

***Latest Team News***

Ross Draper came through his return game at Aberdeen without any adverse reaction. Antonio Reguero will surely retain the keepers jersey with Ryan Esson closing in on full fitness. Hogg, King and Ross are all out long term at the moment.

Ross County look to be going into this game with Mark Brown as their number 1 after Michael Fraser was relieved of his duties recently. Grant Munro is a doubt for County, as is Sam Morrow, both players being replaced at half time against St Mirren. Russell Duncan and Mark Corcoran are yet to feature after injury.

tm4tj Prediction:- It's a cup game and anything goes. Our great SPL form counts for nothing in the heat of a derby and the added interest of the cup. On paper we should be favourites but the game is not played on paper and you can be assured that there will be some tasty tackles flying in on the cramped Dingwall pitch. All this makes me think that a draw would be a decent result and another healthy cheque will please the accountants of both clubs and my guesstimate is that a replay may be needed to separate these two enemies.

Mon the Caley Jags :ictscarf: :ictscarf: