High Flying v Flying High

High flying Caley Jags take on this seasons surprise package Kilmarnock on Saturday with kick off back to normal time at 3:00pm.

Inverness had a splendid win over Celtic last weekend courtesy of an own goal and Kilmarnock took the honours after a 2-0 victory over Motherwell. Allan Johnston has been waxing lyrical since that performance and the quality of the strikes from the powerful Robbie Muirhead and Sammy Clingan. Muirhead's strike was a belter and their shoot on site policy saw Dan Twardzik pull off a string of saves from distance, with former Don Josh MaGennis in particular making the keeper earn his corn.

Killie were also in action in a midweek Ayrshire derby in the League Cup where they ousted the Honest Men with a solitary strike from Rory Mackenzie. They always held the upper hand against League One side Ayr United but derbies can be fiercely contested although Killie showed the better quality to get themselves into the third round where they have a home tie against St Johnstone. Incidentally, Inverness face The Rangers in a second round tie after the Ibrox side defeated Queens Park by the odd goal in three. Should Inverness prevail, then another away game at Falkirk awaits.

Meanwhile, back in the Premiership, Killie make their second trip North of the campaign. Their last trek saw them beat Ross County in Dingwall by 1-2, Magennis and Obadeyi the scorers before County got their consolation. Killie's only defeat was at home against Aberdeen where they lost 0-2 the week after an opening day draw with newly promoted Dundee.

We, of course, are undefeated and sit on top of the League, three points ahead of Kilmarnock. Like them, we also drew with Dundee and beat Motherwell by the same scoreline, so there are similarities in our seasons so far.

Kilmarnock have added shrewdly to their squad after a dismal 2013/14 season. The major signings have been Josh Magennis (Aberdeen), Jamie Hamill (Hearts), Michael Ngoo the former Hearts loanee and Lee Miller, the former Scotland international and ex-Falkirk, Hearts, United and Aberdeen striker. Miller was released by Carlisle United after their relegation, and Johnston also snapped up defender Chris Chantler from the Brunton Park club. With former Hearts manager Gary Locke now second in command to Johnston it looks like Kilmarnock are setting themselves up for a decent season after the last few years in the doldrums.

It's almost four years since Kilmarnock won in Inverness. Craig Bryson, Liam Kelly and Jamie Hamill scored for the visitors and Richie Foran countered for Inverness who had Ryan Esson in inspired form in goals to keep the score respectable. Since then it has been two home wins and three 1-1 draws. These used to be high scoring entertaining games but recent encounters in the Highlands have been won by tight margins or have been drawn matches. Inverness won the head to heads last season with two wins to Killie's one.

This game is nicely set up for an open encounter with both sides having players capable of doing something out of the ordinary. Inverness will be looking to Billy McKay to return to scoring form amid speculation that Peterborough have had a bid rejected for his services. It's encouraging to note that others are chipping in with goals this early in the season and our defence has been on top since day one. 508 minutes without conceding is miserly in the least and as long as we can keep it tight then new club records look like being broken this weekend. I'm sure Jamie Hamill will get a rapturous welcome, he of the infamous Derek Adams barging incident, still one of the most hilarious football clips ever. Legend.

Latest Team News:-

Inverness are still without Richie Foran; Richie who I hear you say! Danny Devine is also still out but nearing a return having played a bounce game in midweek. James Vincent is fit enough to return and gives Hughes another option, although the squad seems to be managing fine without him.

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Kilmarnock can call upon Lee Miller who came on as a sub in midweek after an injury hit start to his Kilmarnock career. Tope Obadeyi will be assessed prior to the journey North after tweaking his hamstring against Ayr, and Nichael Ngoo has shaken off an ankle knock and could be added to the squad.



tm4tj Prediction:-

In keeping with recent years, I reckon we will do well to win all three points and might have to settle for a share of the spoils if Killie dig deep. I don't see us losing this one, but a point is not a disaster although all three will be more than welcome.

And it's all happening over the bridge. There's only one thing more irritating than the Ice Bucket Challenge and that has now been resolved. Derek Adams has been removed from his post at Dingwall along with his father George, as Roy MacGregor has had enough with County's poor showing last season and a dismal start to this campaign which sees them prop up the League with zero points from their opening four games. Maybe it's the constant changing of County's squads that has been Deek's undoing. Danny Lennon is willing to throw his hat into the ring and would target that area as something that needs addressed. Oh well, one door closes and another opens. Terry Butcher is another name doing the rounds and that would not surprise me after his fingers were burnt in the downfall of Hibernian. And why not. He has always professed his love for the area and he knows how to get the best out of low budget players, the market that County share with most other Scottish clubs.