Scotty

Just enough In a game low on drama, Inverness did just enough to take all three points with a fabulous, brilliantly executed goal from Billy Mckay after tremendous wing play by David Raven. St Mirren had stifled the Inverness engine room and used the Partick tactics of closing us down quickly and it almost paid off for them, but for Raven and Mckay's invention, Billy flicking the ball home with around fifteen minutes to go. With it being a seasonal Sunday kick off, the attendance was also seasonal, but full of anticipation after the performance at Dingwall giving fresh hope to our campaign. Ross Draper was available but only made the bench, and Marley Watkins had picked up a knock and missed out. Nick Ross was the surprise inclusion in an otherwise unchanged side. St Mirren had the luxury of Steven Thompson and Kenny McLean available and had Inverness lad Mark Ridgers in goal A fine afternoon saw St Mirren kick off and the usual slow pattern of play ensued. Inverness content to hold the ball, the visitors happy to let us have it, but no goal threats as a consequence of St Mirren shutting us down quickly a las Partick Thistle, which would make it an uncomfortable afternoon for the home fans. Unlike the derby game, our play was less direct. St Mirren gave as good as they got in the first half and Kenny McLean was unlucky with a shot from distance that rattled the top of Brill's crossbar, McLean taking aim some 35 yards out, but his swerving shot was always just on the high side which was fortunate for the big keeper as he would not have stopped it. Brill tipped over a rasping shot from McLean as he waged a one man war on Dean's goal as Inverness struggled to get any momentum going and he also flashed a swerving shot a yard wide as the visitors looked the most likely to open the scoring. Inverness fans were getting impatient and they wanted better. Billy Mckay squandered the best opportunity of the half as a wayward back pass from Jeroen Tesselaar fed him in on goal on the right side of the box. Unfortunately as he cut inside the keeper he elected to clip the ball to his left but Ridgers managed to block the tame attempt and the chance was gone. A poor first forty-five from Inverness' point of view came to an end just as we looked to up the pace, Christie, Mckay and Doran missing before the break giving some hope for a better second half. Half Time 0-0 The second half had barely started when Doran fired one wide and at the other end McLean kept plugging away but shot over from distance. Inverness were content for St Mirren to take on long pots but they were keeping the visitors out of their box for the most part. Danny Williams replaced Ryan Christie after the hour and a bit more urgency came into our game. The pressure was mounting and a series of attempts were blocked by the now hard working St Mirren defence. A goal was coming but it took a moment of magic to conjure it up. Tansey collected the ball well in his own half. He looked up and spotted Raven making himself available on the right wing. He flighted a fifty yard diagonal ball towards Raven who still had plenty to do. The full back took the ball on the third bounce and skinned the defender to the bye line then arrowed a low ball into the box where Mckay, with his back to goal stepped over it with his leading leg and back flicked it home for a sensational goal. It was going to take something special to break the deadlock and that was it; stunning goal. A spate of substitutions from both sides broke the game up thereafter although Mckay could have done better after breaking clear on the right side of the area, but he elected to shoot early and Ridgers gathered his weak shot easily when a cut back might have produced better. A late Tansey free kick from 22 yards was comfortably saved by the keeper and Mckay almost turned a deep cross into the net but the angle beat him and the ball ended in the side net. Full Time 1-0 The game drew to a close and Inverness did just enough to earn this victory as the visitors had struggled to make much headway in the second period. Not a pretty sight but another welcome three points in the bag. tm4tj MotM:- Not always getting the plaudits, but today David Raven was superb and he capped it with a brilliant piece of skill to set up Mckay for the only goal of the game. Next game is away to Kilmarnock. Date: 04.01.15 Venue: Caledonian Stadium, Inverness Attendance: 2751 Referee: Bobby Madden Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Ross (Vincent 83), Tansey, Shinnie, Doran (Draper 78), Christie (Williams 64), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Sekajja, Devine, Horner Scorers: Mckay (77) Booked: Tansey (26) Sent Off: none St Mirren: 0 Lineup: Ridgers, Naismith, McAusland, Goodwin, Tesselaar, Drury (Mclear 78), Mallan (Reilly 85), McGinn, Kelly (Wylde 78), McLean, Thompson Subs (not used): Kello, Osbourne, Ball, Baird Scorers: none Booked: McGinn (66) Sent Off: none

Just enough In a game low on drama, Inverness did just enough to take all three points with a fabulous, brilliantly executed goal from Billy Mckay after tremendous wing play by David Raven. St Mirren had stifled the Inverness engine room and used the Partick tactics of closing us down quickly and it almost paid off for them, but for Raven and Mckay's invention, Billy flicking the ball home with around fifteen minutes to go. With it being a seasonal Sunday kick off, the attendance was also seasonal, but full of anticipation after the performance at Dingwall giving fresh hope to our campaign. Ross Draper was available but only made the bench, and Marley Watkins had picked up a knock and missed out. Nick Ross was the surprise inclusion in an otherwise unchanged side. St Mirren had the luxury of Steven Thompson and Kenny McLean available and had Inverness lad Mark Ridgers in goal A fine afternoon saw St Mirren kick off and the usual slow pattern of play ensued. Inverness content to hold the ball, the visitors happy to let us have it, but no goal threats as a consequence of St Mirren shutting us down quickly a las Partick Thistle, which would make it an uncomfortable afternoon for the home fans. Full report to follow........... Date: 04.01.15 Venue: Caledonian Stadium, Inverness Attendance: 2751 Referee: Bobby Madden Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Ross (Vincent 83), Tansey, Shinnie, Doran (Draper 78), Christie (Williams 64), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Sekajja, Devine, Horner Scorers: Mckay (77) Booked: Tansey (26) Sent Off: none St Mirren: 0 Lineup: Ridgers, Naismith, McAusland, Goodwin, Tesselaar, Drury (Mclear 78), Mallan (Reilly 85), McGinn, Kelly (Wylde 78), McLean, Thompson Subs (not used): Kello, Osbourne, Ball, Baird Scorers: none Booked: McGinn (66) Sent Off: none

Happy New Year Aaron Doran opened the scoring in a one sided first half, flashing home a 20 yarder after Marley Watkins had done the spade work. Jim McIntyre agreed about the way the match was going and made two substitutions before the break as County kept the score to 0-1 at the interval. Doran doubled his tally with a replica strike which was deflected but Jackson Irvine powered in for County from a corner almost immediately. Billy Mckay restored the two goal cushion from close range in the 73rd minute and that's how it ended and ensured it was a Happy New Year at the Caledonian Stadium. It was a great way to start the new year and a thoroughly deserved win for Inverness, coming on the back of three straight defeats and no goals, all the better to do it in a derby. This result keeps Inverness in fifth place but the top of the table has an odd look about it as Aberdeen take over from Celtic with the Parkhead teams game being postponed at Partick today A sizeable away support had plenty to cheer about on New Years day in Dingwall as the first footers enjoyed the lions share of the game. In truth, County were well beaten and Jim McIntyre has a massive job on his hands if they want to avoid the drop. John Hughes kept faith with the same X1 that lacked the killer instinct against Aberdeen in the previous game. He would be looking for more from the enigmatic Aaron Doran and out of sorts Billy Mckay and Marley Watkins. He wouldn't be disappointed. Ross Draper continued his suspension. County were without Tony Dingwall, Ben Frempah, Darren Barr and Michael Gardyne. Liam Boyce made the bench alongside Jackson Irvine and Jake Jervis with Graham Carey replacing Gardyne. Terry Dunfield was this years surprise inclusion, but his day would be over before half time. Inverness started this game with intent and Carl Tremarco was first to a ball down the left flank but Mckay could only turn his cross into the side netting with the keeper awol. The visitors kept the pressure on the home defence and Doran got some early shooting practice, driving just wide before Quinn blocked Marley Watkins. Antonio Reguero fumbled a Ryan Christie shot but gathered at the second attempt as Inverness pressed hard for the opening goal and Mckay looked livelier as he shot just wide. Mckay had a great appeal for a penalty turned down as he spun round Reckford who looked as though he was holding the striker back but nothing doing. Graeme Shinnie saw a low shot cleared off the line with Reguero beaten as Brittain knocked the ball clear, but the goal was only delayed for a few more minutes. Watkins gathered again on the right from Mckay after Marley had knocked on a Brill kick out, Doran got involved and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. No more than Inverness deserved and the away fans were loving this. Brittain dragged a deflected shot well wide as County tried to make headway but it was the visitors who showed them ho to do it properly. A great break forward from the resultant corner and telling ball from Christie who fed Doran who laid it on to Mckay, he jinked past two tackles but Reguero pulled off a tremendous save to deny the wee striker. Jim McIntyre hd seen enough by now and had made two tactical replacements by the 41st minute, Liam Boyce replacing the ineffective Yoann Arquin and Dunfield being replaced by Jackson Irvine. Boyce suddenly became County's most effective player looking to link up with others, something they had not managed in a dismal first half for them. Nevertheless, it was still one way traffic and County were fortunate to go in at the break only one goal down. Half Time 0-1 By the 53rd minute McIntyre had used all his subs with Jake Jervis replacing Richard Brittain, but the pattern of the game did not change much and five minutes later, County fell two behind. It was that man Doran again, he does love playing County as he scored a similar goal to the first with the aid of a slight deflection. Game over you would have thought but no, hang on a minute. Irvine forced Brill to make a superb save, knocking the ball onto the post from where County won a corner. Inverness' defence made there only lapse of the day and from the corner, Irvine stooped to power a header unchallenged into the net. Sloppy defending, great header and game back on. David Raven is getting forward plenty these days and he hit a rasping shot to high to the keepers left, but Reguero was equal to it as Inverness continued to dominate. With fifteen minutes left, Inverness restored their two goal cushion when Mckay reacted first to knock in Warrens header from a Tansey free kick. Game over this time, but not the pressure on the County defence, Meekings almost adding a fourth as he flicked a Tansey cross goalwards. A combination of Reguero and the base of his right hand post saving the day. County were reduced to long range pot-shots as the game drew to a conclusion, but Inverness were worthy winners and in truth should have won more convincingly. For County, it looks like the battle is well and truly on to avoid relegation, good luck with that. Full Time 1-3 All the action here and Wee Davie talks to Graeme Shinnie Motm is difficult to spot after such a comprehensive drubbing where everyone played their part. However, as poor as some were over the last couple of weeks, they also get the credit when it's due and Aaron Doran just gets it ahead of Marley Watkins and Billy Mckay. As I said, difficult choice, but they were all heroes today. Happy New Year. Date: 01/01/2015 Venue: Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall Attendance: 4887 Referee: Steven McLean Ross County: 1 Lineup: Reguero, Saunders, Boyd, Quinn, Reckord, Kiss, Brittain (Jervis 53), Woods, Dunfield (Irvine 41), Carey, Arquin (Boyce 32) Subs (not used): Brown, Cardle, Maatsen, Toshney Scorers: Irvine (60) Booked: Arquin (22), Quinn (55), Kiss (61), Irvine (71) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 3 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Tansey, Shinnie, Watkins (Vincent 80), Christie (Ross 85), Doran, McKay (Sekajja 88) Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Horner, Williams Scorers: Doran (27, 58), Mckay (73) Booked: Raven (24), Watkins (71) Sent Off: none http://caleythistleonline.com/page/index.html/_/reports-2014-15/ross-county-v-inverness-ct-spfl-r1221'>

The fire beckons the thaw Aberdeen ran out today 1-0 winners thanks to a Peter Pawlett strike in the 12th minute, which moved the in form Aberdeen only two points behind Celtic as we approach the New Year. Normally it would be a man in red who gives presents around this festive period, but as has been the case for the error prone ICT defence in recent weeks… it was a gift from a man in blue. Carl Tremarco, brought into the side to play in Graeme Shinnie’s left back role left vacant as Shinnie moved into midfield, inexplicably challenged team mate Josh Meekings which then resulted in the loose ball being picked up by Niall McGinn to set up Pawlett with a clear shot at goal. There was a valiant attempt to block the shot but the deflection only took the ball further into the corner of the net. Following the early goal, Inverness exerted more pressure on the Aberdeen defence who were playing a very high line in support of the pressing midfield. This led to several chances where balls were played wide or behind colossus Ash Taylor who dwarfed his opponent Billy Mckay. A fantastic through pass from Ryan Christie managed to release Marley Watkins who fired directly at the imposing Scott Brown, where a shot across goal may have provided the onrushing Mckay an opportunity to pounce. Shortly after, Mckay outmuscled the young Aberdeen full back Murray and tried to curl the ball into the far corner when there were perhaps better opportunities to pass to in the penalty area. Graeme Shinnie drifted past several challenges in the midfield and produced a strong right footed shot which Brown parried away where the ball cut back to Ryan Christie drifted wide of the post. There was then the muted appeal for a penalty as an Aberdeen defender and Meekings fell to the floor. Whilst there was an arm used to drag Meekings down, it didn’t help that Josh altered his direction to collapse theatrically over the opponent’s legs. The groans from the home end became more audible as we approached the half time interval, knowing that our recent inability to score and Aberdeen’s clean sheet record meant it could be a very frustrating afternoon. One man whose frustrations were clearly getting to him was today’s panto villain Tremarco where he fired in a rotten challenge on right back Murray in the 31st minute. Going by the letter of the law, this challenge was not only reckless but it definitely used excessive force which was deserving of a red card. It seems Tremarco has one of these challenges each game he plays and it’s remarkable he hasn’t seen red for the club yet. Unfortunately his contribution never improved as the game went on with several misplaced passes and crosses further angering the home crowd. Half Time 0-1 Aberdeen continued to let Inverness have possession, with the intention to try and closely mark the first half’s dangerman Christie whilst pressing the players who didn’t have a similar level of close control. An Aberdeen breakaway should have punished ICT further when Hayes missed a driven cross across goal from 12 yards out. Apparently his right foot hasn’t improved much since he left 3 years ago… Inverness found luck continued to be against them with a Billy Mckay shot from a tight angle striking the bar with Brown stranded. Tansey then had a free kick saved by Brown who used his large frame to reach a ball that was travelling high into the net. Luck was not the perpetrator for Aaron Doran though, he simply fluffed his lines when the ball broke to him inside the box some ten yards from goal. Unlike Pawlett, Doran miscued and the chance went well wide as he scuffed his shot; more anguish for the North Stand. The final chance of the game went to Aberdeen who had a goal bound Rooney header that slammed against the hand of Warren. Cries of ‘unnatural position’ were directed to the referee, who thankfully knew the rules of deliberate handball much better than those wearing red. Full Time 0-1 So where now for John Hughes? Fans left today’s game really disappointed at the personnel and formation selection, where natural centre midfielders like Polworth, Vincent and Horner didn’t enter the field; instead watching Shinnie have a fairly ineffectual game in their position. Mckay again looked like he was lacking support, whilst Watkins and Doran contributed very little. Let’s hope Hughes get things right in time for the New Year fixture against Ross County. Difficult to select a MotM when so many in blue underperformed. Easier to stroke off those not getting a mention, starting with Shinnie, Tremarco, Doran, Watkins, Brill, Mckay, Raven and Meekings. So by default, that leaves Tansey and Warren as contenders, with Christie mustering pass marks for effort. Date: 28.12.2014 Venue: Caledonian Stadium, Inverness Attendance: 6614 Referee: Calum Murray Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Tansey, Shinnie, Watkins, Christie, Doran (Sekajja 86), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Vincent, Ross, Devine, Horner, Williams Scorers: none Booked: Tremarco (31) Sent Off: none Aberdeen: 1 Lineup: Brown, Murray, Taylor, Reynolds, Considine, McGinn, Jack, Pawlett, Hayes, Goodwillie (Smith 85), Rooney Subs (not used): Langfield, Monakana, Robson, Shankland, Rose, Gibbons Scorers: Pawlett (12) Booked: Pawlett (30) Sent Off: none

Criminal proceedings. Inverness paid the penalty for one too many pass backs. Ryan Christie was the perpetrator, choosing the wrong option aided by poor execution, but the real sinner was Brian Graham who cheated his way to a penalty, diving as Brill came out to block his run. To rub salt into the wound, he took the resultant spot kick and hammered it into the opposite side of the net to where Brill had moved for what proved to be the only goal of the game. Who said that crime doesn't pay! He was caught on CCTV and you can view the footage below. This robbery has seen Inverness drop from second to fifth after the Sunday game which saw United beat leaders Celtic handsomely. Inverness had won the previous four encounters with St Johnstone, but with the Perth side on a three game winning streak and Inverness smarting from a 4-0 thumping by Partick, this was always going to be a tight affair. And so it proved although Dean Brill was made to work much harder than his counterpart in the Saints goal, making a handful of excellent saves whilst Mannus was a part-time spectator. Yogi rang the changes in his starting eleven with Ryan Christie and Aaron Doran starting ahead of Danny Williams and Marley Watkins. A strange one considering the impact Watkins has had this season, unless of course he was carrying a knock. As expected for Perth, James McFadden missed out and Lee Croft and David Wotherspoon filled in again, with Murray Davidson starting from the bench. Enough from me, let's get down to the nitty gritty and dish the dirt on one or two. The Sloth had slowly made his way to Perth with Caley Away to witness the robbery and here is his debut report.................... With Christmas jumpers and Santa hats being the main attire in the stands for the match between Inverness and St Johnstone, and Inverness fans on their Christmas day out, the Caley Jags were hoping to leave Perth with a win and all 3 points as an early Christmas present from the big man in red. Inverness had a changed line up from the team that were beaten 4-0 by Partick Thistle the week before, with Marley Watkins and Danny Williams being dropped to the bench while Ryan Christie and Aaron Doran were slotted into the remaining space. St Johnstone only had one change from the game with Kilmarnock with Lee Croft being brought in for the injured James McFadden. This unfortunately was not going to be the Christmas present that the Inverness fans were hoping for. The game began quite lively with large possession periods of the ball being kept by each team but at the end of the first half neither team were on top, however Christie and Shinnie came closest to giving the visitors the lead while Croft had the best effort for the home side. Half Time 0-0 However, a moment of controversy in the second half tilted the game in St Johnstone's favour. In the 62nd minute, Dean Brill was alleged to have taken down Brian Graham within the Inverness box and the referee awarded the spot kick, although the decision didn't go without the voices of the Inverness players suggesting that he went down a little too easily, or as the fans saw it, a dive which Tom Daley would have been proud of. After winning the penalty, Graham converted as well, putting the ball in the net whilst sending Brill the opposite way. It got worse for Inverness after a foul in the 66th minute by Ross Draper on Simon Lappin, where it was apparently seen by the referee that Draper threw an elbow out, Brian Colvin decided that it was a red card offence and sent him packing. Although down to 10 men, Inverness didn't give up and in a scrappy end to the game, David Raven came closest by shaving the post in the dying moments, dashing all hopes of anything coming out of this game for Inverness. Full Time 1-0 Here's the full highlights........... At the end of the game, Inverness fans let their opinions be known on Colvin's refereeing performance. Just a hint, it wasn't the kindest of feedback. However, after a fantastic year so far, ICTFC fans won't let this result hang over them and will hopefully spend the upcoming days to the New Year happy whilst looking for a win over Aberdeen before the end of year. After that, along comes the first game of 2015, where we move onto the derby against our neighbour across the bridge on New Year's Day. MotM for Inverness has to be keeper Dean Brill who did his best to keep out the St Johnstone attack with a string of superb saves. A great comeback for him personally after a lapse last week. Inverness, who now haven't won in two and now moved down into 5th in the table while St Johnstone remain in 6th. Inverness next play Aberdeen at home on the 28th of December while St Johnstone are hosting Dundee United on the 27th. Merry Christmas to all ICTFC fans and I'll see you all at the Aberdeen game. The Sloth Date: 20.12.2014 Venue: McDiarmid Park, Perth Attendance: 2891 Referee: Brian Colvin St Johnstone: 1 Lineup: Mannus, Mackay, Anderson, Wright, Easton, Croft (Miller 91), Millar (Davidson 54), Lappin, O'Halloran, Wotherspoon, Graham Subs (not used): Banks, McDonald, Caddis, Brown, McLaren Scorers: Graham (pen.62) Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Meekings, Warren, Shinnie, Tansey, Vincent (Watkins 56), Christie (Williams 84), Draper, Doran (Ross 80), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Tremarco, Polworth Scorers: none Booked: Doran (27), Raven (60), Shinnie (62) Sent Off: Draper (66)