Scotty

The Proclaimers Inverness Caledonian Thistle publicly announced themselves on the footballing world today by reaching their first major final after only 20 years of existence. The near 2000 fans although outnumbered by almost 10-1 proclaimed the message loud and clear at Easter Road in the Sunshine on Leith after Hearts, the infamous 'always the bridesmaids' were beaten in the League Cup semi-final by nine man Inverness. Ten buses and various other modes of transport were deployed as the Highland fans made their way to the 'neutral' venue of Easter Road once more, scene of last seasons dramatic shoot out disappointment. Not even a fire drill at Glasgow Central could halt the march as most travelled 500 miles, well nearer 400, to witness this historic day. It was literally sunshine on Leith, and Yogi rang the changes with Richie Foran failing to make the bench. Back came Ross Draper, James Vincent, Marley Watkins and Greg Tansey to produce a powerful midfield. Dropping to the bench were Nick Ross, Carl Tremarco, Liam Polworth and Danny Williams along with Ryan Esson and Danny Devine. Hearts sprung the bigger surprise with Ryan Stevenson only starting from the bench, which was odd considering they brought forward their game with St Mirren to free him from suspension. Loan signing Paul McCallum joined Stevenson on the bench and he is an unknown quantity. Graham Shinnie captained the Highlanders onto the pitch with his counterpart Danny Wilson, and Raven, Warren and Draper tread a fine line as they are one booking away from missing a possible Cup Final appearance. Inverness started on the front foot but Paterson burst forward only for Meekings to dispossess him in the box. Play raced to the other end and Draper spooned a great opportunity to open the scoring after McKay fed him in the box, Draper electing to prod the ball with his wrong foot and it went high over. A nervy start by Hearts as the game settled into a midfield tussle. A tussle that Scott Robinson took too seriously as he clattered Billy McKay, Raven intervening and Robinson rightly booked. Doran latched onto a throw-in but his shot from the edge of the box was dragged just wide of MacDonald's goal. Inverness were asserting themselves more on the game and a Doran corner was flicked goalwards by Tansey, but the keeper saved comfortably. Some of the play was a bit frantic with Inverness looking the more comfortable on the ball and ahead on possession. A Doran shot was blocked but the ball spun towards the crossbar, the keeper tipping it behind, eleven minutes gone. A re-taken corner gave Doran a second chance but Draper's header went a couple of yards wide. Callum Paterson lay on the park as Inverness strode forward again and Watkins caused problems with a run deep into the box, but another effort was knocked wide, the Hearts fans not amused. Hearts woke up and Carrick headed narrowly over after a good break on the right side and a McGowan cross. However, it was Inverness that were making most of the early running, Watkins being prominent in most forays forward. Twenty minutes gone and Inverness forced the Hearts defence to scramble the ball out for a corner, Watkins close range overhead kick resulting in a sore head for Paterson and a free kick to Hearts. Our midfield still had a tight grip of the game at this point. Some tough tackling going in and one or two players might well fall foul of the referee if not the physio. MacDonald once more has to rush to the edge of his box to thwart another Inverness attack and at the other end in Hearts first real sustained attack Brill had to watch a long cross sail narrowly over, but the Jambos continued to press before Shinnie cleared the danger. Hearts were now seeing a bit more of the ball as the Inverness midfield lost their way slightly, but chances were at a premium. Gary Warren took a sore one as Paterson went under him for a high ball, but he resumed after a couple of shakes of the head. Inverness without a regular dead ball expert for a long time might still have to wait a while yet as Greg Tansey fluffed one from thirty yards. Marley Watkins took the first Inverness yellow card as Nicholson sped forward, Brill easily gathering the ball and as a result, McKay was released by the keeper, bursting into the box but again closed down. Nicholson tested Brill at the other end, and the keeper parried it well, then Warren made sure he would miss a prospective final by earning a booking. The game was more even now but Inverness were struggling to get behind the Hearts defence as easily as they did in the first quarter. Shinnie drew a corner but Doran easily found the keepers gloves. Passes were now going astray as every ball was being keenly contested and a war of nutrition broke out before half time. Brill took two goes to get his hands on a swinging free kick and as Inverness broke forward McKay squandered the best chance of the game hitting MacDonald from seven yards as he burst into the box. Should have scored with a bit more composure, but it was a great block by MacDonald and it was typical cup fare, the game raging from end to end. Callum Paterson got a finger wagging from the ref just before half time, the word tousy springs to mind. Billy McKay almost broke the deadlock once more but his shot from the edge of the box rose too high when he had better options and the half drew to a close. Would Inverness rue their ascendency not being capitalised on? Half Time 0-0 A boost for Hearts as the second half got under way with Ryan Stevenson replacing David Smith. Game on! Inverness were now shooting towards their home end. A penalty shout was waived away as Inverness continued to take the game towards Hearts and a couple of Doran corners in quick succession followed, as did another penalty claim, Warren falling in the box. It was a replication of the first few minutes of the game as Inverness pushed forward in numbers. Doran was almost on the end of some great interplay but the Hearts defence stood firm, just. A raking Meekings ball picked out Watkins and the cross just fell behind Draper as Inverness continued to press. Greg Tansey had made a hash of a free kick earlier, but when he latched onto another loose ball around the Hearts box, he absolutely lashed as ferocious a shot as you would see behind MacDonald to put Inverness in the driving seat for now, and not undeserved it has to say at this moment. I'm not sure you will see a better strike anywhere this season, or maybe any other season for that matter. MacKay was inches away from connecting to make it two nil, as was Vincent from the return ball, and Doran could have done better as they stretched the now overworked Jambos defence when he sped into the box, his shot straight at a grateful MacDonald. Jeepers; we almost shot ourselves in the foot, but Brill made a tremendous reflex save to deny Paterson and Raven completed a headed clearance from Paterson's header. A let off and a warning as Hearts rolled up their sleeves and introduced unknown quantity Paul McCallum for McGowan. Hearts upped the pace and got the break as Warren looked to be harshly sent off for giving away a free kick right on the edge of the box. McHattie shaped to take it but a massively deflected Hamill shot found the corner of a wrong footed Brill's net. Devine then replaced Aaron Doran into central defence after the dismissal of Gary Warren as Hearts sensed blood. Another clumsy tackle gifted Hearts a second free kick and there was no dubiety about the quality of this free kick as Hamill found the top corner. Stunner! Ten man Inverness looked shell shocked as that two goals in two minutes turned the game on it's head and MacDonald denied McKay as they pushed for an equaliser to take the game to extra time, and once more MacDonald saved superbly from a Meekings header from the corner. Things were beginning to go Hearts way now as the burden of playing with ten men began to take it's toll. Tiring legs as the game entered the last fifteen minutes. Shinnie was upended on the touchline and Tansey swung in a great ball, but it would not fall kindly to us and Hearts cleared. Ten minutes to go and Hearts players were finding it easy to stay on the deck as time ebbed away. Could Inverness muster one more charge as Tapping came on for Nicholson who left the arena on a stretcher. Paterson burst forward from deep with a great run but his shot was deflected out for a corner to Hearts. The final throw of the dice for Inverness came when Nick Ross replaced David Raven as they went for broke, Graeme Shinnie volleying one at MacDonald. Five minutes of stoppage time were confirmed as a tiring Inverness gave their all but sadly it all went tits up when Meekings lost the ball then hacked down the Hearts player as he took the ball forward. Nine men on the park and the game was all but over. Brill punted a long free kick forward but three Jambos smothered the ball, content to sit on it for a few seconds. Unbelievably, just when you think it's all over, Nick Ross forces the ball over the line for his first and most important goal of the season. No more than Inverness deserved to be honest in the last minute of stoppage time, and seconds later the ref blew his peeper to send the tie into thirty minutes of extra time. Absolute pandemonium in the Inverness end and delight for Nick Ross who started from the bench. Ninety Minutes 2-2 Hearts still look the likeliest though with Inverness down to nine men now, and straight from the kick off Brill had to save smartly from a superb McCallum header to keep the game all square. Carl Tremarco replaced Vincent at the start of extra time to put some fresh legs on the park. Two penalty shouts in quick succession as Hearts superiority in numbers told on the proceedings, Inverness throwing bodies in the way as Hearts tried to force the ball home, clearance to anywhere the order of the day now. Inverness look like they would take a penalty shoot-out right now. However it was now wave after wave of Maroon attacks as they tried to unsettle the makeshift Inverness defence due to the two sending off's, firing plenty of high balls into the box, Grant Mackay heading tamely over from a good position in the 99th minute. Tapping almost bundled the ball home as a melee broke out in the Inverness six yard box before a free kick was awarded to the Inverness side. A rare break forward with McKay feeding Ross who drew a free kick on the left. Tansey whipped it in and McKay tried to flick it on but MacDonald flopped on it to kill the ball. Inverness were busting a gut now and managed to survive the first period of extra time, the dream is still on and Nick Ross, the saviour is linking well with McKay on the rare occasions that we do get forward. Extra Time Half Time 2-2 A long, very long Tremarco throw-in caused panic in the Hearts box but they smuggled it clear and play raged to the other end, Brill collecting a hanging cross well. Ross found time in the box to turn after some good build up play, but this time his shot was weak and into the arms of MacDonald. Moments later McKay brilliantly held the ball up and exchanged passes with Ross before the latter fired a cross in which the keeper gathered easily. It was however encouraging signs for nine man Inverness. Down to the last ten minutes now and the players left on the park are running on empty. John Beaton feeling sorry for Inverness and a couple of decisions go our way. Meh. Billy McKay gets upended in the box and another melee ensues, but the ball is eventually driven harmlessly over, and at the other end Hearts head over to relieve the pressure on the Inverness defence. Have Hearts been saving themselves for a late surge or have Inverness got something else up their sleeves? Great defending by Tremarco as he mugs Hamill and McKay holds the ball up brilliantly again as Inverness continue to take the game to the eleven men. Suddenly Hearts break forward and McCallum should have scored but headed over from point blank range. That would surely have sealed it. McKay again provides an outlet and wins a valuable time consuming throw-in for under pressure Inverness. It's backs to the wall stuff now and Brill comfortably gathers a cross and despite a lung bursting run from Shinnie the game draws to a close, and penalties are the order of the day........pulsating stuff........PHEW! Full Time 120mins 2-2 So, it's penalties once more and the two most important men on the park will be Paul MacDonald and Dean Brill. The two keepers exchange pleasantries and Shinnie takes the first one, but keeper saves. My Heart cannae take this. 0-0 Shinnie miss, MacDonald guesses correct and makes the save. 0-0 McCallum miss, Brill does likewise. 0-1 Billy McKay scores, bottom corner, keeper AWOL 1-1 Carrick scores similar to McKay, opposite corner. 1-2 Nick Ross blasts home, tremendous strike from young Nick, chuffed. 1-2 Brill saves Hamill's mediocre shot, Karma! 1-3 Tansey blasts home as expected, super strike though, high and hard. 2-3 Robinson dribbles his one in, like our Billy's one. 2-4 Draper, cool as a cucumber slots the ball into the opposite corner, game over. Pandemonium once more in the away end as Inverness defy the odds to secure their first ever major final appearance, Caley 100 grabbing a wonderful souvenir by collecting Dean Brill's glove as the big keeper throws them into the crowd. Big Yogi has a grin the size of Leith Walk embedded on his dial and that will take some time to come off. More reaction and video to follow, but for the moment huge congratulations to everybody, and a final against Aberdeen to come. Can it get any Better. Brings a tear to yer eye.................Have an unofficial swatch at the penalty shootout Date: 02.02.2014 Venue: Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 12762 Referee: John Beaton Hearts: 2 Lineup: MacDonald, Hamill, McHattie, Wilson, McGowan (McCallum 64), Robinson, Paterson, McKay, Smith (Stevenson 46), Carrick, Nicholson (Tapping 84) Subs (not used): Ridgers, McGhee Scorers: Hamill (67, 69) Booked: Robinson (6), MacDonald (54), Stevenson (69), Paterson (103), McKay (116) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Brill, Raven (Ross 87), Shinnie, Vincent (Tremarco 95), Warren, Meekings, Mckay, Draper, Doran (Devine 68), Watkins, Tansey Subs (not used): Esson, Williams Scorers: Tansey (54), Ross (90+4) Booked: Watkins (32), Warren (34), Shinnie (90) Sent Off: Warren (66), Meekings (90) Inverness C.T. win 2-4 on pens after extra time

Point apiece about right Inverness and Dundee United shared the points as two early goals were all to show despite plenty of endeavour from both sides. United hit the woodwork twice while Inverness passed up a goalden opportunity to win it with a late penalty, but Nick Ross shot tamely at Cierzniak in the United goal. Billy McKay opened the scoring in the fifth minute but Keith Watson rose unchallenged to power home the equaliser after ten minutes and that was the end of the scoring, but not the entertainment. The previously reliable Dean Brill provided the comedy with a series of blunders that could have been more damaging but he just about got away with it, however the watching TV audience will not forget his show in a hurry. John Hughes was the warm up act, cracking his forehead open as McKay scored the opener, much to the muted delight of the Inverness bench. AJS will have a full match report for us............................... Point gained but Yogi still yearns for home win John Hughes search for a first home win as Caley Thistle boss continues as both ICT and Dundee United had to settle for a point and stretch their winless runs to 5 games a piece. Hughes has had plenty to contend with in recent games following a host of injuries and also the loss of Ross Draper to suspension and with a United coming into town looking to put to bed their own poor form it was always going to be a hotly contested game. Following the poor performance against County Yogi shuffled the pack. David Raven was restored to the starting 11 with Graeme Shinnie reverting to holding midfield following the loss of Draper, Danny Williams moved from the middle to left wing, his natural position. United had the luxury of calling upon new signing Farid El Alagui who joined on loan from Brentford during the week. The Moroccan striker arrives at Tannidice bragging an impressive 28 goals in 44 games during his season long stint with Falkirk but struggled to find regular form and games following a move to Brentford, he was looking to make an immediate impact. The match itself got off to a fast start with ICT racing into the lead within the first 5 minutes. Billy McKay won a corner out on the left which was swung in by Williams. It was well won in the air by Warren and fell to McKay who reacted before Cierzniak could to rifle it into the bottom corner from just a few yards out. It was the perfect start for the home side who were looking to put to bed a run of form that had seen 3 consecutive defeats at TCS. Almost immediately following Aaron Doran found time and space to set himself for a shot from distance but unfortunately from himself he dragged it well wide of the mark. United sniffed out their first chance of the game when Graeme Shinnie was judged to have fouled Chris Erskine on the edge of the box. The angle was tight but Stuart Armstrong struck a powerful, low drive that Brill could only parry and following a brief scramble the ball was thumped out for a corner by Liam Polworth. The first one was cleared by Shinnie but the 2nd proved fatal as United snatched a quick leveller through Keith Watson. Gary Mackay-Steven drifted it in and Watson lost Tremarco to power his header into the net beyond a despairing Brill, Watson, a full back has 4 goals to his name this season, two of which have been scored at the same end at TCS. It was anyone's game now with both sides looking to get the next goal. Both sides were doing their bit to get their wide players on the ball as much as possible, Mackay-Steven was digging out some nice crosses for the away side while likewise Williams and Doran were for the hosts but struggling to find anyone in space. The hosts almost found another opening. Graeme Shinnie seized upon a poor clearance from Cierzniak and following an exchange of play with Ross he found Billy McKay on the wing, his knock down almost fell perfectly for Shinnie on the edge of the area but Gavin Gunning was alert to the danger and hoofed the ball clear. United then passed up a golden chance to turn the game on its head through Brian Graham. A corner from Mackay-Steven forced Brill to punch it clear, but it only fell as far as Rankin who's fizzing shot was heading to the bottom corner only to be diverted away by Gary Warren, his clearance fell to Graham and with Brill already committing himself to Rankin's shot he had an empty net at his pleasure but somehow managed to only steer his shot onto the post, following a brief scramble the ball was cleared and the big man's chance was gone. Gary Mackay-Steven was next to test the home goal, Stuart Armstrong's neat reverse ball found the diminutive, little winger with a shot at goal on his stronger left foot but with the angle tight it was well gathered by Brill. Billy McKay almost doubled his tally for the match only to be thwarted by a terrific save from Cierzniak. Aaron Doran was fed the ball by Raven and he picked out a delightful cross to the back post which was met well by McKay who rose well and thought he was surely finding the corner only for United's Polish stopper to pull out a wonderful fingertip save. Nick Ross also came close when Ravens low ball in found him at the edge of the area, he managed to turn his man but on his weaker left foot he struck it straight at Cierzniak who gathered it with little fuss. Not before too long the first half was brought to an end in what was a well contested encounter between both sides. Half Time - 1-1 In the early stages of the 2nd half it was ICT who began the game stronger, much as they did in the first half. Billy McKay had another header that he would perhaps feel he could have got a goal from. The opportunity came in rather unorthodox circumstances. David Raven won a 50-50 challenge with Robertson and despite being on his backside managed to feed a cheeky flick on to Aaron Doran who's teasing cross was met by the head of MacKay once again but his swerving header was held by Cierzniak. The game was then brought to a halt after Brian Graham suffered what appeared to be a rather serious injury. Having gone up for a header with Josh Meeking's the Tangerines big number nine appeared to land awkwardly and seemed to be in a great deal on pain. Following a lengthy spell on of treatment and the need for a stretcher his afternoon was brought to an unfortunate and premature end. Replacing him was Farid El Alagui who was brought on to make his debut for the away side. With play resumed ICT had another chance to regain the lead and what a golden opportunity it was. Danny Williams in swinging corner was met at the back post by Gary Warren. He scored a bullet header in the cup tie between the two sides back in October but this time he saw his header fall wide of the post despite being only a couple of yards out. The man knows himself...he should have scored. Dean Brill almost gifted United the lead in what would have been rather humiliating circumstances to say the least. Many who are fans of football bloopers on Youtube will remember Peter Enckelman's missed touch in the Birmingham derby several years ago. Poor Deano was very close to replicating it when he misjudged the bounce on Shinnie's back pass but much to the relief of himself, his team and his supporters pride he managed to dash back and force it clear before it could cross the line. ICT then spurned chance of the game just after the hour mark. A lovely exchange of passing between Shinnie and Ross saw the latter produce a lovely through ball back to Shinnie who had a sight of goal only to be tripped by John Souttar and earn the home side a penalty. Nick Ross stepped up having converted his last 2 penalties but today was not to be his day. He struck it powerfully enough but did not get enough direction on it and after Cierzniak got a firm punch to it the ball was cleared and the chance was gone. The away side were beginning to see more of the ball and grow in confidence with John Rankin flashing a 30 yard drive just wide of Brills goal. Chris Erskine came even closer for the visitors when Mackay-Stevens low ball gave him a great opportunity to find the net but United's day was to be foiled by the woodwork as his curling, side foot effort came back off the post before Warren hooked it clear. With ICT having had a penalty, United felt they should have had spot kick themselves when Mackay-Steven was locked in a chase for the ball with Warren. Warren appeared to be pulling at GMS's shirt but the wee man did his best to stay on his feet and get a shot away and in fairness to him did not complain at the decision to award a corner instead. El Alagui came close from the corner with a header but with a lack of purchase his effort was gratefully cradled by Brill. With the game entering the final stages both sides made changes. United bringing on teenage sensation Ryan Gauld while ICT also threw on fellow youngster Ryan Christie who will be surely looking to make similar headlines now he has made the first team picture. Ben Greenhalgh was also brought on for Danny Williams as the home side looked to make a move to win the game and with a lengthy amount of stoppage time added on it was understandable. Following a lot of pressing the ball eventually fell back to Tremarco who did well to pick out Doran with a chip cross, Doran turned to shoot on his left foot but could only find the side netting. Ben Greenhalgh also turned out to be an unintentional match winner when his deep cross appeared to be hitting the back of the net and forced Cierzniak to parry it out and from the resulting corner he gathered well among a see of blue and orange. Ryan Christie was nearly a super sub once again when Tremarco skipped past a challenge and found him with a nice cross but Christie's header floated over and with that the game was brought to an end. Full Time 1-1 To summarize :- it was an entertaining game, lots of corners, lost of scrambles and lots of chances. Both teams would have liked to win given recent form but in the end I think neither it became more about not losing, though a missed penalty is always rather gutting and given the ease of some chances served up both sides will feel they could have won. Given that our team was decrepit without the likes of Foran, Watkins, Draper and Vincent I'd say we coped very well. In particular it was very pleasing to see Polworth and Christie blooded into the first team, both look promising prospects and their progress will be monitored with great interest. Yogi tactically got it right, restoring Raven was the right move and shifting Williams back to his natural position saw a much improved performance from the Lancashire lad compared to recent weeks, though Greenhalgh showed some neat touches when coming on. Plenty positives to take and the rot has been stopped - onwards and upwards from here. AJS MotM - David Raven - shored up the right back position, put in some cracking tackles and was unlucky not be providing some goals for his team mates. Its essential that he stays in the starting 11 from now on. Date: 12.01.2014 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2980 Referee: John Beaton Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Doran, Shinnie, Polworth, Williams (Greenhalgh 87), Ross (Christie 81), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Gorman, Pepper, Evans Scorers: McKay (5) Booked: McKay (86) Sent Off: none Dundee Utd: 1 Lineup: Cierzniak, Watson, Souttar, Gunning, Robertson, Rankin, Paton, Erskine, Armstrong (Gauld 84), Mackay-Steven, Graham (El Alagui 51) Subs (not used): McCallum, Dillon, Butcher, Gomis, Dow Scorers: Watson (10) Booked: none Sent Off: none

Jags draw a blank The Thistles failed to find the net, but for Partick especially it wasn't for the want of trying, a couple of glaring misses enabling Inverness to take a point and that moves them back above Aberdeen and Dundee United, although Motherwell took the biggest leap into second place. Today's report is made in school, The Mantis & Alternative Maryhill show that great minds do think alike.......... The Mantis thought we were very poor today, thought Partick were more up for it and worked very hard. The lad Doolan missed a sitter of a header before half time although it would have been harsh on us. Second half they must have missed at least 3 more sitters and we were lucky to get a point. Archibald seems to encourage them to shoot on sight with the result that they kept having to fetch new balls every time somebody blootered it out of the park. We only showed quality in flashes, you could see the difference in the sides there, but it only lasted about 2 mins at a time. First look at Williams and not very impressed, centre mid along with Draper who wasn't at his best either today but probably because he was doing two jobs. Seen Marley a few times now and though he's got the skill and pace, not sure he's got the temperament or the heart. Not sure about Tremarco either, fairly solid but doesn't have any idea what to do with the ball. Would like to see Dave the Rave back with Shinzaa, Josh and Warren who as usual were superb. Doran not bad but lacks that extra spark. Wee Billy battled away as always for little reward, too many long punts for him to fish out of the sky. Keep it on the deck and we're a good side. Felt sorry for Nicky Ross who was hooked for Greenhalgh, who in turn looked like he could have changed the game if he'd got half an hour. Alternative Maryhill agreed we didn't get started at all yesterday, which was particularly frustrating as Partick looked like they might have wilted if we'd put any sustained pressure on them - they didn't have a great deal of presence and conceded possession in midfield relatively easily. The problem was, so did we, and in the end Partick created the far better chances and were unlucky not to win. There's no question that we missed Foran's influence, and the decision to play Williams in his place was somewhat surprising - he's eased off the ball far too easily, isn't strong enough in the tackle and seemed to be chasing the game most of yesterday. I'd hope to see Ross in there for the Celtic game, but the fact that Ross has been the first player substituted in each of the last two games (wrongly, in my opinion, in each case) makes me wonder how important to the team Hughes believes he is. Greenhalgh did pretty well when he came on and has maybe staked a claim for a place, but I'd like to have seen him replacing either Williams, with Ross dropping back, or Doran, whose performance levels are currently way below the level they were at in the early games of the season. There's perhaps an argument for resting him for a couple of games and making him fight for his place ahead of the semi-final. I think that Doran at the top of his form is unquestionably part of our strongest team, but at the moment he's a long way short of that form. The defence was pretty sound throughout, with with Meekings and Brill the stand-outs, but they were culpable in the hugely ineffective long ball strategy that we employed for most of the game - my one gripe with both Brill and Gary Warren is that they don't seem to look for a good out-ball properly but instead just hammer it up towards McKay or Doran. If we do that against Celtic then we'll just be inviting pressure onto us and we'll take a hammering. I am, I must confess, a bit worried about the Celtic game now - if we struggled to create anything against a hard working but limited Partick side, then I can't see how we can hope to take anything against a side that is, it is now becoming clear, streets ahead of the rest of the league. Hopefully Hughes can look at yesterday's performance and set us up in a way that actually plays to our strengths on Sunday. And he has some sympathy for the new gaffer here.........There was a noticeable lack of creativity or meaningful possession in the middle of the park yesterday and it meant that we built very few decent moves and more often than not the midfield was bypassed altogether. Williams offered neither strength nor creativity in that position, which meant that Draper, as Mantis pointed , was doing two jobs. I'd hope that Ross, while lacking Foran's dig, would at least give us some vision in there. I'm not sure if Devine would do that. Of course, Ross might just find himself completely outmuscled and outpassed by the Celtic midfield; there are no easy solutions for Hughes here. Date: 26.12.2013 Venue: Firhill Park, Glasgow Attendance: 2887 Referee: Willie Collum Partick: 0 Lineup: Fox, McMillan (O'Donnell 46), Piccolo, Balatoni, Sinclair, Craigen, Bannigan, Lawless (Baird 79), Higginbotham (Forbes 66), Elliot, Doolan Subs (not used): Gallacher, Muirhead, Kerr, Wilson Scorers: none Booked: Elliot (40) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Draper, Williams, Watkins, Doran, Ross (Greenhalgh 72), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Raven, Devine, Polworth, Pepper, Agdestein Scorers: none Booked: Williams (70), Watkins (90) Sent Off: none

Shambolic 45 Unbreached in the last five games, the Inverness defence dished out more presents than Santa Clause at his Eastgate Grotto in a festive handout. Forget your gold, frankincense and myrrh, Inverness CT were handing out gifts hand over fist and the eleven wise men from the East took full advantage. Inverness were taught a harsh lesson in the first half as Aberdeen tore us apart at every opportunity in a somewhat uncharacteristic opening half where every time the Dons attacked they looked like causing problems. Two goals from former Inverness winger Barry Robson and one apiece from Peter Pawlett and Niall McGinn saw them apparently coasting into second place in the SPFL. A second half revival saw Billy McKay notch a predatory brace and a superb header from Graeme Shinnie all but snatch Inverness an unlikely point, however the Dons saw out the game courtesy of some well worked time wasting routines and take all three points East. A chilly winters day saw a crowd of around 4800 assemble to watch this late kick off in John Hughes first home game in charge of the Caley Jags. How he must have wished the half time whistle had sounded half an hour earlier. It was also Scotty's first game this season, all the way from Canada, maybe there's a lesson to be learnt there! A late change saw Danny Williams start in place of the sprightly Marley Watkins who had suffered a dead leg in training and his pace was badly missed in that first half. A bright start by the home side gave little indication of what was to come. Richie Foran dived to head a low effort just wide from a Tremarco free kick and Ross grazed the outside of a post after McKay set him up on the edge of the box. The Inverness pressure continued and Langfield did a bit of scrambling back to atone for his own poor clearance, Doran arrowing a thirty yard curling shot on target, but Langfield gathering well. It all changed just after twenty minutes into the game. A long high ball was missed by the heads of Vernon and Meekings. Unfortunately the ball hit the flailing arm of Josh and no doubt about it, a penalty borne out of nothing really. Barry Robson cracked the ball home, hit hard and low just out of the reach of a diving Brill to his right side. It got worse ten minutes later when Robson doubled his tally with a header would you believe it. A cross to the far post by Pawlett found Robson sandwiched between Tremarco and Warren, he was off balance and facing the opposite direction, but the ball still found the top corner. Not sure Robson knew much about it, but he enjoyed it anyway. And it got even worse. Pawlett fed Vernon who in turn picked out Pawlett as he sprinted into the box after a weak Nick Ross challenge on the half way line. Pawlett took it first time and he swept the ball home from twelve yards. Hint of offside by Vernon, but the final execution was clinical. The home defence was now in tatters, Gary Warren having a nightmare along with the rest of the side and huge gaps were allowing the Dons a safe passage into our penalty box. Niall McGinn took full advantage of more poor marking to run unchallenged for forty-five yards before drilling the ball home from the edge of the box. Lethal from Aberdeen; shambolic from Inverness, many punters tempted to go at half time. Half Time 0-4 Harsh words must have been spoken at the interval and a quick response was required. It came via Duracell Bunny, Billy McKay. He was prepared to roll up his sleeves and he gave the home side some belief when he latched onto a loose ball at the far post to prod home his first of the night. Nick Ross spurned a tremendous opportunity after McKay set him up with a header back across the box, but Nick, not noted for his striking ability lashed a volley straight at Langfield who gratefully parried the ball to safety. McKay would not be denied his second though as he showed tenacity to crash in an angled drive after rounding Langfield. Doran and Ross had combined with Billy who was running himself ragged; great goal, and game on. Could we do it? Draper headed one off the post and Raven cracked the same post with the rebound. Tremarco's corners were worrying the Dons defence. Gary Warren got one thing right tonight. He flighted a long ball into the box and Graeme Shinnie met it on the run from fifteen yards to send an unstoppable header into the top corner, Langfield rooted to the spot. Pick that one out. Ya beauty! Aberdeen meanwhile were reduced to sitting in and hitting on the break and Hayes could have done better with a late strike, but he rolled it gently into Brill's hands. We almost got the leveller our second half blitz deserved, but a melee in the Dons box from another corner just would not go over the line and Aberdeen survived to take all three points East. Full Time 3-4 The proverbial game of two halves. Battered in the first, we got off the canvas to narrowly lose on points, had it actually been a boxing match the ref would have called a halt after 45 minutes. Richie Foran looks as though he has damaged his shoulder and could miss the busy festive programme and David Raven came back into his most productive position at right back just after the break, Shinnie moving flanks, but further ahead of Tremarco after the re-shuffle, which seemed to suit our pursuit of goals in the second half. It was a damaging first half, one of the poorest I have witnessed, but we did show great character to have a go in the second half and but for that it could have been a miserable Xmas for the home fans. tm4tj MotM:- Has to be Mr perpetual motion, Billy McKay. He ran his little cotton socks off in the second half, where does he get the energy from? Sadly, Gary Warren and Josh Meekings were bossed in that first half by Scott Vernon and that was one of the reasons we were taken apart. But, we can rebuild as we showed in a spirited second half. This result has cost us a place or two in the league, but we still have that game in hand, and after the half time pep talk, all is not lost yet. Jury is still out on John Hughes and let's not go down the route of knee jerk reactions. He must have said something right at half time. Date: 21.12.2013 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 4810 Referee: Steven McLean Inverness CT: 3 Lineup: Brill, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Williams, Draper, Foran (Raven 45), Doran, Ross (Agdestein 76), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Greenhalgh, Polworth, Pepper Scorers: Mckay (47, 57), Shinnie (90) Booked: Draper (14), Williams (90) Sent Off: none Aberdeen: 4 Lineup: Langfield, Shaughnessy, Reynolds (Hayes 64), Jack, Hector, Anderson, McGinn, Flood, Vernon (Magennis 90+6), Robson, Pawlett Subs (not used): Weaver, Zola, Smith, Wylde, Low Scorers: Robson (pen22, 32), Pawlett (37), McGinn (44) Booked: Hayes (90) Sent Off: none