Scotty

Butcher's Blitz Inverness' second half blitz blows Aberdeen away at a less than warm Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. Magnificent second half goals from Andrew Shinnie and Billy McKay (twice) made sure that Terry Butcher could enjoy his first match after the winter break and justified his decision to remain at Inverness for footballing reasons as Aberdeen were torn the proverbial new one in the second period. Josh Meekings replaced Mathew Cooper in the starting line up and Nick Ross and Daniel Devine made the bench as the hosts looked to continue the good work after the mid-winter tropical break which had been replaced by somewhat chillier breezes from Siberia, or as we know it, Aberdeen. Aberdeen tasted life after Ryan Fraser, and I doubt it tasted very sweet with Smith and Hayes playing wide and Vernon and McGinn the target men. A Graeme Shinnie free kick was headed forward by Ross Draper and Foran met the ball ten yards out but Langfield dived full length to tip the ball round his left hand post to prevent Inverness from taking the lead. Aberdeen had their best moment of the first half when they pounced on an error in midfield. Draper and Foran were caught playing too tight and Aberdeen pounced on the loose ball as Jonny Hayes sprinted into the box, and as he cut inside he drove a low ball goalwards but Antonio Reguero was equal to it and gathered the ball comfortably. Hayes was the Dons only threat but he was being closely watched by Meekings and co. Owain Tudur-Jones sent Billy McKay scampering towards the Dons box with a delightful lob forward and as he held up play he unselfishly laid the ball into Aaron Dorans' path but he blazed the ball wide of the junction twix post and bar courtesy of a timely intervention from Robertson on the edge of the area. Doran linked well with the ever available David Raven and the full backs delivery deserved better than to be headed over by contract abstainer Andy Shinnie from seven yards. Doran was buzzing around and looked menacing every time he got the ball, just the final ball eluding him for now, and he and Draper combined to set up a strike from the big midfielder but it went wide. Jonny Hayes was kept relatively quiet by the Inverness back line but he still managed to get to the byeline on a couple of occasions but his cut backs found no takers although McGinn managed to volley one over the bar with Reguero making a TV dive, probably trying to keep himself warm. Half Time 0-0 Terry Butcher maybe had some straight talking to do and his players obviously listened intently during the interval as we loitered with intent around the visitors box for most of the second forty-five, but not before Aberdeen had their best chance of the game. Raven and Warren got in a fankle on the edge of their own box, with Warren being wrong footed by Raven's deft pass which allowed Hayes to jink into the box and he stepped inside Graeme Shinnie who had closed in to cover, but Reguero pulled off a brilliant reaction save to deny Hayes the opener and this proved crucial to the outcome of the match. Doran and Foran linked well on the left and Foran chipped a ball onto the edge of the box where Andy Shinnie made himself available. He left Russell Anderson on the turf as he went for the bye-line and he had no right to score, but score he did from the tightest of angles as he lashed the ball into the roof of the net from two yards out on the edge of the six yard box. He did even better to escape the clutches of a delighted Ryan Esson who sprinted after him behind Langfield's goal. Goal of the season coming up soon as Inverness stepped up a gear and the showboating started. Raven burst over the halfway line on the right before rolling the ball back inside to Doran. He turned quickly and sped goalwards before releasing the ball towards Draper who was facing his own goal some 25 yards out. He in turn transferred the ball Messi like with as good a back heel as you will see, magnificently into the path of the sprinting Billy McKay who danced across the box before tidily planting the ball behind Langfield. A breathtaking team goal brilliantly manufactured and brilliantly finished. Ross Draper must have eyes in the back of his head to pick out Billy he scores when he wants McKay and the wee man did what he does best. Superb. Inverness were on a roll now and Draper almost scored another team goal as he was sent through on Langfield after a six man move cut the overworked Dons defence open again, but his sliding flick rolled agonisingly across the face of the goal and round the wrong side of the post. The cold was almost forgotten as the icing on the cake was supplied by Billy McKay. Doran fed Raven on the right and his first time cross was head flicked on by Andy Shinnie. McKay split his markers and lashed a first time volley high past 'Clangers' from 12 yards for a not undeserved brilliant third goal for Inverness, and his 20th goal of the season, or 14 in 10 games if you prefer. Ross and Roberts entered the frozen arena and almost had an immediate impact as the Aberdeen defence were now praying for the final whistle as they hung on for a three goal defeat. Roberts almost adding a fourth as he brilliantly chested a ball round the defender but the danger was cleared as he nearly caught up with his own pass, delightful skills from the youngster. Full Time 3-0 How about that. An absolute mauling for the Dons who can have no complaints about the scoreline as Inverness ran them ragged in the second half scoring three special goals into the bargain and setting themselves up nicely for next weekends league cup semi-final at Easter Road against the Jambo's. While the strikers were getting the plaudits for some clinical finishing, let's not forget the contribution from the rest of the team who performed brilliantly as a unit. Reguero made a crucial save at the start of the second half, and also made one or two timely interventions, but that apart, was largely unused and did well to keep warm considering the conditions. The back line are just brimming with confidence now and who is that sensational right back we have. David Raven is completely unrecognisable from the fellow that arrived pre-season, a guy that was laughed off the park in most early games. Well, not any more. He has been outstanding of late and has grown into the position. He makes himself available more often than not and his crosses are becoming legendary. Our goals today would not have looked out of place at the Camp Nou, and Draper's back heel flick into the path of McKay was a particular highlight that will long be remembered. Billy not breaking stride before finishing with aplomb. All in all, one of the best half's of football seen at the stadium and Butcher was milking and orchestrating the applause at the end, a great way to finish off what has been a momentous week for the club. tm4tj MotM:- If it were not for an outstanding performance by the returning Josh Meekings, then Dave the Rave would have got my nod, but Josh was simply superb. A couple of tasty tackles on former Inverness favourite Jonny Hayes went down well with the home support and he looks as solid as a rock at the back, ably assisted by Warren at the heart of the defence. If truth be told, there were no weaknesses today and any one of the starting eleven could have been on my list, but Josh Meekings is my MotM. Welcome back. 19th Jan 2013 Scottish Premier League Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Inverness C.T. 3 - A.Shinnie (53), McKay (61, 78) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, G.Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Doran (Roberts 88), Draper, Tudur Jones, Foran, A.Shinnie (Ross 88), McKay SUBS: Esson, Sutherland, Polworth, Pepper, Devine Booked: Meekings (83) Sent Off: none Aberdeen 0 - none TEAM: Langfield, Shaughnessy (Osbourne 65), Robertson, Anderson (Milsom 72), Reynolds, Rae, Hayes, Smith, Vernon (Magennis 66), Hughes, McGinn SUBS: Brown, Low, Fallon, Masson. Booked: Rae (35), Hayes (56), Robertson (59), Osbourne (68) Sent Off: none Referee Crawford Allan Attendance 4734