Scotty

Humiliation Inverness were turned over once more by Celtic as the big club thrashed the wee club. Yogi said before the game that he did not want a repeat of the last game, a 5-0 hammering. Well, he got what he wanted. This time it was 6-0. Inverness were dealt some late blows when David Raven was injured in training, Vincent pulled out and Marley Watkins was ill. All this on top of Foran being out for the end of the season, meant we only had four players ready for bench duty. Mathews and Mulgrew were both fit enough to start the game and Celtic started with as strong an X1 as they could muster. Inverness looked to spoil the Celtic advances and this worked for the first half hour, but once they scored, the desire to defend deserted Inverness and we suffered our heaviest defeat in the SPFL. I don't see any point in elaborating over this and suffice to say that Anthony Stokes scored a hat-trick with Griffiths, Ambrose and Pukki completing the embarrassment. Two nil at half time quickly became six nil by full time, thankfully the referee only adding one minute of additional time. We even had the cheek to pass up a scoring opportunity when Doran inevitably stroked a penalty into Forster's body to ensure we completed the bagel. 6-0 it finished with Celtic totally dominant and Inverness in tatters, Yogi's Barcelona plans seemingly not working very well and if truth be told, Dean Brill did his best to keep the score down, but it was too much to expect one man to stem the flow and Celtic cantered to an all too familiar doing in Glasgow. Ach well, Celtic and Airdrie have achieved the same score against us, but Dundee United are next up for Inverness. I'm scared to watch, but here it is... Date: 27.04.2014 Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow Attendance: 45712 Referee: Craig Charleston Celtic: 6 Lineup: Forster, Matthews, Lustig (69) Ambrose, van Dijk, Izaguirre, Brown, Johansen, Mulgrew, Henderson (72) Commons, Stokes, Pukki (71) Griffiths Subs (not used): Zaluska, Samaras, Balde, Pukki, Lustig, Kayal, Henderson Scorers: Stokes (34, 45,53 Pen) Griffiths (68) Ambrose (78) Pukki (88) Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Doran, Draper, Polworth (79), Tansey, Williams, Ross, Christie (69) Mckay Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Polworth, Christie Scorers: none Booked: Warren Sent Off: none

Keepers on top Inverness were held to a goalless draw by Aberdeen in an entertaining top-six encounter where both keepers and the woodwork ensured that the score remained blank. A sizeable away support bolstered the coffers of the Inverness treasurer and they would have been surprised at the inclusion of Jonny Hayes who had returned after injuring his shoulder in the League Cup final, McInnes keeping his inclusion close to his chest in the lead up to kick off. Inverness were without their captains, Foran and Shinnie with Warren deputising, and no place in the starting X1 for starlet Ryan Christie. Tremarco replaced Shinnie and Ross Draper returned after suspension. Summer came early to Inverness and a beautiful evening for football saw the teams run out onto the turf for the first game in the top-six after the split. Inverness continued with the Barcelona theme playing the ball out from the back at all costs, often frustrating the home fans as Aberdeen were quick to latch on to this and shut us down early. The first quarter being dominated by the visitors as our midfield pairing of Vincent and Tansey appeared to be on their Easter holidays already leaving Flood and Robson the freedom of the park. But, it was Inverness who almost snatched the lead when a sweeping move from the back saw McKay test Langfield. Raven took a short throw in to Warren who returned the ball. Raven then dodged a couple of tackles before hooking the ball to Watkins who one-two'd with Raven. The return ball saw Watkins burst forward at pace despite the best attempts of the Aberdeen marker to pull the jersey from him and when he bobbled the ball to McKay he placed a shot to Langfield's left, but the in form keeper dived full length to get a strong wrist on it and palm the ball away for a corner. Aberdeen continued to have the bulk of possession, but it was Inverness that were more incisive, although Dean Brill had to replicate Langfield's save when a long free kick was directed from the head of a defender towards the corner of the goal, Brill fingertipping the ball to safety. Aaron Doran almost duplicated his County scorcher, but this time the ball ruffled the top of the net and McKay pushed a shot wide from a good position as Inverness were content to hit on the break, still creating more than the possession obsessed Dons. Robson was having a controlling effect on the game along with Flood as the home midfield were marked absent and he chipped a ball into the path of Pawlett who had no hesitation in running at the Inverness defence. As he whizzed across the edge of the box he fed McGinn who rattled the underside of the bar with Brill beaten. A let off for Inverness and misfortune for McGinn. Madden appeared to be content to let play continue, but seemed to fail logic when Vincent had the legs swept from in on the halfway line. Hayes burst down the left but his low fizzed cross was well held be Brill with players lurking with intent behind him. Just as folk were heading for the half time steak pie that wasn't there, McKay was once more denied by Langfield, this time with his legs after he blocked the strikers close range shot having been put through one on one by Doran's exquisite ball. Half Time 0-0 No changes at half time although many wondered if the ineffective Tansey and the incapable Vincent would re-appear, sadly both did. The second half continued in the same pattern for the next twenty minutes, Aberdeen dominating without creating, Inverness creating without dominating. Draper ruffled the net with a glancing header from a corner. So close to the opener as the hosts looked to up the ante with Aberdeen content to control the pace of the game. That would change when the expected departure of fall guy Vincent, replaced by superkid Ryan Christie. There was now a buzz of anticipation in the crowd. Aberdeen brought on Cammy Smith prior to this with Hayes leaving the scene. Suddenly, the game became more open and Inverness switched to positive mode. Two minutes after Christie's introduction he was heavily involved in the move that saw Tansey Rattle the same bit of woodwork that McGinn hit earlier. This time the ball was brilliantly saved by Langfield, tipping the ball onto the junction of the bar and the ball looped across the goal about to fall onto McKay's head for a simple nod in. Unfortunately for us, Reynold's appeared from nowhere to hook the ball from right under Billy's nose, remarkable clearance. Watkins was the man responsible for setting up Tansey after dashing down the right and clipping a great cross into the path of Tansey who volleyed first time. Great move worthy of better result. Aberdeen woke up once more and McGinn was denied by Brill after good work on the right by Flood and Smith dragged a shot across the face of goal from the right side of the box. That was about it as the game petered out and both sides had to settle for a point. Full Time 0-0 Bobby Madden looked as though he had left his cards at home, but fair play to him as he let play rage on, well as much as it can rage on in a goalless draw. Better than average game though with plenty talking points and a couple of near things either way which will show that the point apiece was about right, although Inverness had the clearer opportunities and Langfield the busier keeper. Vincent had a complete off night miscontrolling the ball all over the park and caught in possession all too often. Tansey was anonymous apart from the excellent volley that brought out an equally excellent save from 'Clangers', who certainly did not live up to his nickname tonight. Good away support and I had no complaints when the usual what a sh**ey home support rung round the stadium. tm4tj MotM:- I'm going for Ross Draper tonight. The big man has been superb recently and it was great to have him back after suspension. Breaking up a lot of play and tidying up in general but also adding, a threat at set pieces and almost scored with a glancing header, rising high above the Aberdeen defence. Good support from one or two others, Warren doing well as makeshift captain and Billy McKay running himself ragged, ably assisted by Doran and Watkins. Special mention for Ryan Christie. Get your cheque books out now and offer him a massive contract. This lad is electric and gets the crowd motivated whenever he is on the ball. Date: 18.04.2014 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 4224 Referee: Bobby Madden Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Vincent (Christie 65), Warren, Meekings, Mckay, Draper, Doran, Watkins (Ross 79), Tansey, Tremarco. Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Williams, Polworth, Evans. Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none Aberdeen: 0 Lineup: Langfield, Anderson, Considine, Reynolds, Flood, McGinn, Hayes (Smith 62), Robson, Pawlett, Rooney (Zola 85), Logan. Subs (not used): Weaver, Shaughnessy, Robertson, Vernon, Low. Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none