Scotty

Bhoys Own Goal Inverness kept their clean sheet intact and thanks to an own goal from Eoghan O'Connell managed to deservedly keep all three points in the Highlands despite enduring a late push from the visitors which had the home fans watching the clock for the final ten minutes. James Vincent failed to make the squad and Hughes went with the same eleven that started at Motherwell. Celtic, as expected, made wholesale changes to their team and Deila had ten changes from his midweek starters at Maribor. In saying that, they still had the likes of Ambrose, Mulgrew, Commons and Griffiths on the park. Inverness started briskly moving the ball around with precision to frustrate the visitors and restrict them to chasing shadows for the first fifteen minutes. Zaluska had a rare start for the Hoops and looked a little edgy early on flapping at one or two crosses as Inverness controlled the pace of the game and lurked with intention around the visitors box. However, despite early dominance, opportunities were not forthcoming and Celtic eased themselves into the game. Tansey tried his luck from distance twice but could not get enough swerve on the ball and it whistled a yard wide of either post as Inverness probed for an opening. The first action for either keeper came at the North Stand end when Brill tipped a dipping Ambrose guided effort over the bar. He would be called into action more frequently as the half wore on and when Pukki darted into the box he bravely blocked two angled strikes from the Celtic man who would have been better advised to shoot a stride or two earlier. The save of the match followed when Brill foiled Commons as he looked certain to score from around the penalty spot, but the big keeper stuck out an arm to divert the ball away from the goal. Nir Bitton came closest to opening the scoring as Celtic enjoyed their best spell of the game. Turning just outside the box he wrapped his right foot round the ball only for it to cannon off the bar with Brill stranded. Close call for the hosts and it seemed to force Inverness to get to grips with the game once more. The last ten minutes of the half were more even and less eventful, although Mulgrew had to head a Warren effort away from goal. Half Time 0-0 Celtic made a change at the break with Stefan Johansen replacing Filip Twardzik and soon after Callum McGregor replaced Teemu Pukki. The changes suited Inverness better as we asserted ourselves on the ball once more, Gary Warren headed over from six yards following a corner. Griffiths broke clear on the left side but his low shot was easily gathered by Brill. That was just about Leigh's last act as Stokes replaced him soon after. For once Celtic managed to slice through the Inverness defence when Stokes slid a ball through the middle and Commons beat the offside trap but his shot was stifled by an outstretched Brill. In 65 minutes Celtic scored the only goal of the game. Unfortunately for them, it was at the wrong end of the park. After a midfield battle, Marley Watkins broke forward at pace and his cross was arrowed into the box. The ever alert McKay was about to pounce on the ball but Zalukas got there first and his rushed clearance crashed into the hapless O'Connell and the ball bundled itself into the net for what will go down as an own goal, but caused by the persistence and pace of Watkins. Ten minutes later and Ryan Christie almost snatched a second goal for Inverness as he shot from the edge of the box. Possibly the wrong option as he went for the narrow gap and his shot almost taking a coat of paint off the base of the post with the other side of the goal unguarded. The game opened up again and as Celtic tried in vain to get back on level terms Inverness almost punished them with a swift break from defence. Williams had carried the ball forward and cut across the box where he squared the ball into the path of the incoming sub, Nick Ross. He met it on the run and was favourite to score but Zalukas pulled off a tremendous save to keep Celtic interested and keep the home fans on the edge of their seats. Watkins left the field in the last minute to a standing ovation as the game went beyond Celtic. Full Time 1-0 The pinnacle for Marley was a double spinning stepover dragback which entertained the crowd no end and he was my MotM with Brill a close second, saving the day when it looked like Celtic were beginning to get on top halfway through the first half. Make no bones about it. This was a thoroughly deserved win for Inverness and it keeps us on top of the table with no goals conceded after 508 minutes of football. No bad like! Date: 23/08/14 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 5862 Referee: Bobby Madden Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Mckay (Polworth 79), Draper, Watkins (Doran 89), Tansey, Williams, Christie (Ross 78) Subs (not used): Esson, Horner, Tremarco Scorers: O'Connell (og.65) Booked: none Sent Off: none Celtic: 0 Lineup: Zaluska, Ambrose, O'Connell, Mulgrew, Twardzik (Johansen 46), Henderson, Biton, McGeouch; Griffiths (Stokes 67), Commons, Pukki (McGregor 46) Subs (not used): Fasan, Berget, Denayer, Kayal Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none

Well Done Yogi's ball retention paid dividends as Inverness passed the ball around Motherwell and won in convincing fashion. Spanking goals from Greg Tansey and Aaron Doran at the end of each half decided where the points were going and Stuart McCall's men can have no complaints. Inverness had struggled to gain points at Fir Park in recent times and little was expected to change for this encounter, but the visitors built on their clean sheets and added a couple of goals to send them to the top of the table. This was a thoroughly deserved win for Yogi's side and if anything, the scoreline flattered Motherwell somewhat. Some might say we had some good fortune prior to kick off with James Vincent not making the game, Marley Watkins stepping in to the breach. This would have been many fans first choice as Vincent does not appear to be suited to the wide midfield berth, with Watkins having pace to burn being the masses preferred option. Full report to follow............... Date: 16.08.2014 Venue: Fir Park, Motherwell Attendance: 3732 Referee: Steven McLean Motherwell: 0 Lineup: Twardzik, Reid, Kerr, McManus, Ferguson, Ainsworth (Ojamaa 46), Carswell, Lasley (Leitch 85), Law, Sutton (Vigurs 72), Erwin Subs (not used): Lawson, Nielsen, McHugh, Cadden Scorers: none Booked: Reid (37), Vigurs (86) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Mckay (Ross 81), Draper, Watkins, Tansey, Williams (Doran 73), Christie (Polworth 73) Subs (not used): Esson, Horner, Tremarco Scorers: Tansey (42), Doran (89) Booked: none Sent Off: none

Jam and Jute side earn a point Inverness should have been on a high after their opening day win as Dundee unfurled their Championship flag in a draw against Kilmarnock before coming North for this midweek fixture. Richie Foran and Danny Devine are still missing and John Hughes fielded the same eleven that started at Hamilton which meant no place for the impressive Marley Watkins and weight watcher Aaron Doran, both of whom started on the bench. Unsurprisingly, Dundee were unchanged after opening their season with a solid point against Killie and Hartley was looking for more of the same here. Kick off was delayed at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium and the first event of note was when Dundee were forced into an early change with the injured Kevin Thomson being replaced by Jim McAlister in the eighth minute. A first half of few chances produced no goals with both sides cancelling each other out. Greg Tansey displayed some twinkle toed skills as he flummoxed three or four Dundee players before releasing the ball but it was the only highlight in a dour first half. Ross Draper fizzed a long range shot over the bar and at the other end Brill saved a McAlister effort low down while Letheren was called into action to deal with a McKay shot. Neither side managed to get control of the game in the first half watched by a crowd of over 3,000, not bad for an early season midweek game I suppose, but not having too much to get excited about either. Half Time 0-0 There were no alterations to the line-ups at the break but after only five minutes the ineffective James Vincent was removed with the lively Marley Watkins taking to the field. This switch resulted in Inverness taking the game to Dundee in a more positive fashion and McKay had a shot blocked as the home side turned the screw. Warren headed wide after a towsy opening to the second period with Inverness pressing forward but without the incisive finish to compliment their attacking play. Aaron Doran replaced Danny Williams after 67 minutes and with 20 minutes remaining Ryan Christe fed Shinnie, his first effort blocked and the second attempt goes just wide. Ross Draper had a headed effort from a tight angle cut out by Letheren as the hosts worked the Dee defence. Dundee had parked the bus somewhat in the second half but blazed a good chance over from the edge of the six yard box with fifteen minutes remaining. This gave them some hope and Raven had to look sharp to halt Harkness' progress as Dundee woke up, and Shinnie was next to deny the Dens men as they gained confidence. Lewis Horner came on for Raven for the last ten minutes and Warren again headed wide of the mark as the game opened out again. The away fans were bellowing for a penalty as the game headed towards the ninety, but nothing doing as three minutes of added time was announced. Inverness would rue the ascendency that they never took full advantage of and the clock ticked on to the 93rd minute but despite plenty of effort, the game ended goalless. Full Time 0-0 There's been much worse blank games, however the lack of cutting edge at home is a tad worrying when teams intent on defending are unable to be cut open with any regularity. Dundee will be much happier with their point, sticking to their game plan and defending in depth when required to. Hughes will see this as two points dropped as our poor home results continues into the new season. Of course, it could be worse. Ross County slumped to a four goal hammering at Partick, so reasons to be cheerful after all. Date: 13/08/14 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 3082 Referee: Stephen Finnie Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Raven (Horner 82), Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Vincent (Watkins 50), Draper, Tansey, Williams (Doran (68), Christie, McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Ross, Tremarco, Polworth Scorers: none Booked: Shinnie Sent Off: none Dundee: 0 Lineup: Letheren, McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Dyer, Ferry, Harkins, Thomson (McAlister 7), McGowan, Stewart (Boyle 62), Tankulic (MacDonald 59) Subs (not used): Bain, Irvine, Davidson, Wighton Scorers: none Booked: Ferry, McGowan Sent Off: none