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Backlog starts at the MGM Timber After a seasonal collapse, Inverness need to get back on track quickly as they play catch-up at the home of East Fife. Tuesday night @19:45 will see the Methil men take on a stuttering Caley Jags, fresh from being dumped out of the Scottish Cup by league2 leaders Spartans. East Fife are on a similar trajectory to the Caley Jags having lost all four of their games in a month since beating Elgin City in the KDM Trophy. Their form has been erratic, going from beating Stenhousemuir 1-0 at home to being thrashed 5-0 by the same side less than a month later. Like Inverness, their early season form seems to have deserted them and recent games have left both sets of fans looking for for an improvement. Time for the Caley Jags players to stand up and be counted. There's plenty waiting in the wings if they can't keep a level of consistency sufficient enough to get us out of this League. They are good enough, now get out there and show the world. Alloa Athletic play Montrose on the same night. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Bus £20/Info Stenhousemuir KDM Alloa @ Home ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Let's name and shame them. Here's the guys that put paid to our aspirations in the Scottish Cup this season. A team with enough talent to run away with League1 but unable to beat the Spartans. Last time out Inverness fell to their worst Scottish Cup result ever as Spartans dug deep to take the tie to penalties against a gutless Caley Jags. They confirmed their inability to score with the first two penalties being saved by MotM Paddy Martin and we never recovered from that going down 4-2 in the shoot-out after 120 minutes without a goal. Recent League form is no better with only one point from our last three games scoring just one goal whilst conceding three. The only highlight of late was ironically a penalty shoot-out over Partick Thistle in the KDM Trophy after an encouraging 3-3 draw. That was probably our downfall four days later at Ainslie Park. This fixture was carried over from November due to the postponed Scottish Cup schedules against Tranent getting in the way, and they were delayed three times due to a waterlogged pitch. Inverness supporters should purchase tickets in Sections G & H. One of our better displays this season was the fixture at the Caledonian Stadium where we beat East Fife 4-1 at the end of September. Fifers Swamped in Second Half Blitz: The rain arrived just in time for kick-off in the Highlands after a few days of late Summer sun. The fifers were in no mood to be turned over by an on form Inverness and made life difficult for their hosts. However, David Wotherspoon headed the Caley Jags in front after seventeen minutes. Nathan Austin levelled just before the interval but Wotherspoon scored his second after an hour and a deflected effort by Alfie Stewart added a third. 99 bonk as Alfie Bavidge completed the scoring in the 99th minute. That win put Inverness top of the table for now. Full Time: 4-1 The Fifers squad that went out of the KDM Trophy 3-0 to Arbroath on 13th of January. Rollo was in goal for that one and Tommy Goss has since returned to Annan Athletic after being on loan at Bayview. There's a few changes in that side to the one that normally is on League duty. Nathan Austin Their last League1 fixture was that 5-0 drubbing from Stenhousemuir at Ochilview. Prior to that they had been beaten 1-0 by Kelty Hearts and Peterhead. East Fife had no game last weekend as their Cup journey was ended at the end of November by Arbroath (2-0), who also ended the Fifers involvement in the KDM Trophy a week ago by 3-0. 🏆William Hill League 1 🆚Inverness Caledonian Thistle 🏟MGM Timber Bayview Stadium 📅Tuesday 20th January 2026 🕒7:45PM KO 🎟️Tickets 📺Live stream available worldwide 👀 ➡️ https://eftv.info Ticket Prices: Adults: £20 Concessions: £16 Under 16s: £5 East Fife Community FC members (U16): Free Inverness supporters should purchase tickets in Sections G & H. Alloa Athletic play Montrose on the same night. Accies beat Peterhead 1-2 at the weekend ☠️ Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Stenny 21 12 37 2 ICTFC 19 20 34 3 QueenS 21 4 34 4 Alloa 20 10 30 5 P'Head 20 -12 26 6 E Fife 19 -8 25 7 Monty 19 -9 24 8 Accies 20 13 19 9 Cove 20 -4 17 10 Kelty 21 -26 13

Spartans Cup WinWe were Underdogged Inverness made three changes from their KDM Trophy win at Firhill in midweek. In came Danny Devine, Joe Chalmers and Paul Allan for Oscar MacIntyre, Jordan Alonge and Adam Mackinnon. Spartans had plenty of experience in their ranks with former Caley Jag Sean Welsh in their side. Inverness were dominant over the first half with Paddy Martin the busier keeper with four or five saves. However it was all square at the interval. The same after ninety minutes and extra time came and went with Paddy Martin still unbeaten. Spartans progress 4-2 on Penalties ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An early opportunity for Billy Mckay was cleared off the line with Paddy Martin saving the rebound effort from Alfie Bavidge. Danny Devine saw his header turned wide and five minutes before the break an Alfie Stewart corner went close to going in. Not a great deal of clear chances in the first half but Paddy Martin again denied Billy Mckay with a superb save to keep the score level at half time. HALF TIME: 0-0 David Wotherspoon replaced Alfie Bavidge at the break and Billy Mckay was again denied by the keeper at the expense of a fruitless corner. The game was more open after the interval with Spartans looking for their chances to hit the visitors when they can with Marc McNulty and Mark Stowe prominent for the hosts. However, the Caley Jags were building a head of steam as the game passed the hour. With twenty minutes left Zimba, MacKinnon and Longstaff refreshed our attack. Martin pushed a powerful MacKinnon effort over the bar but the bigger shock almost came at the other end when James Craigen crashed a half volley from the edge of the box off the bar above Ross Munro. Luis Longstaff did the same at the other end minutes later as chances became more frequent, his header was turned onto the bar by the keeper before being scrambled clear. Spartans were still well into this game as the clock ticked down to ninety minutes and the possibility of extra time and penalties is getting closer as we ticked into time added on. Inverness did put the ball in the net at the death but it was flagged offside. No more than Spartans deserved for their dogged display. Plenty possession for the visitors and plenty opportunities to score, but Paddy Martin is the main reason this game will go further having pulled of a string of saves during ninety minutes. FULL TIME: 0-0 Extra Time coming up. Into extra time we went and still the game remained goalless with Kieron Willox replacing Joe Chalmers for the last half of extra time and his debut for Inverness. Despite dominating most aspects of this tie, it would be decided by penalty kicks, something we practiced in midweek. Alas it did us no good as we flopped when it really mattered. Extra time Full Time: 0-0 Craigen ⚽ Spoony ⛔ Russell ⚽ Zimba ⛔ Dishington ⚽ Longstaff ✔️ Scott ⛔ Millen ✔️ Nair 🎯 4-2 Spartans progress 4-2 on Penalties Some you win some you lose, but that might just rank as the worst Scottish Cup defeat in our history. Take nothing away from Spartans, enjoy your day and good luck in the next round. We certainly enjoyed a few underdog days out... 🏆 Well done Paddy, some shift Date: 17/01/2026 Venue: Ainslie Park, Edinburgh Attendance: 0858 Referee: Iain Sneddon Spartans: 0 (4 pens) Manager: Douglas Samuel Lineup: Martin; Watson, Tapping, Sonkur, Drysdale (Dall 81), Craigen, Welsh (Nair 106), Aiken (Russell 68), Stowe (Waugh 81), McNulty (Scott 99), Dishington Subs (not used): Carsewell, Chisolm, Ndlovu, Wylie Scorers: none Booked: Tapping (85), Craigen (90+3) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 (2 pens) Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; Millen, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Sole (MacKinnon 69), Allan (Alonge 82), Chalmers (Willox 106), Bavidge (Wotherspoon 46), Stewart (Zimba 69), B Mckay (Longstaff 69) Subs (not used): Ross; MacLeod, MacIntyre Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none

Scottish Cup 4th Round In a hectic January schedule, we now have to fit in a 4th Round Scottish Cup tie against Edinburgh side Spartans. It should be going ahead on Saturday at Ainslie Park, a ground they share with Edinburgh City. Kick-off is timed at 3:00pm. The Caley Jags are in the middle of a fixture backlog after a few rescheduled games. Two postponed games at the start of January will see us embark on a run of four away games on the trot in the space of 10 days before a home game against Alloa on the 24th January. Having beaten Partick in the KDM Trophy, we have now added another home game (KDM) against Stenhousemuir on 27th/28th before we end January away to Queen of the South. That will be seven games in twenty-one days. Tough schedule by any standard but one which we should relish. Regardless, back to our current status and it's off to the Vanloq Community Stadium to face the Spartans. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scottish Cup v Spartans KDM Trophy Kieron Willox ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A sight we never thought we would ever see as Shinnie lifts the Cup That was our victorious squad for the KDM Trophy shoot-out win at Firhill in midweek. Billy Mckay scored twice after Oscar MacIntyre opened our account in the first half. The main hero on the night was Ross Munro who saved two penalties. One during the first half which was in fact a triple save as he blocked the resultant follow ups and a brilliant save in the penalty shoot out to set up the win. After a couple of postponements, we made heavy weather in knocking Tranent out of the Cup at the neutral venue of Millfield Park, Haddington. Mitchell Robertson and Chanka Zimba had us 2-1 ahead at the interval and that's how it remained. Tranent were well fired up for this one and that must give Spartans a boost as they will look to cause a cup shock. Inverness have loaned back a former Academy graduate at the Caledonian Stadium. Kieron Willox, 19 years old, is from Nairn and began his career at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, progressing through our Academy before joining Scottish Premiership side Rangers at the age of 16 in 2022. During his time at Rangers, Kieron made appearances for the club’s Under-18s and B Team. He comes in from Stoke City. Matchday InfoFor fans making own way, Spartans FC suggest getting off the train at Waverly and getting a number 8 or 27 bus which will drop supporters off within a 5-minute walk of the ground. For those driving it would be parking in the sides streets around the stadium area. Away fans will use the Bain & Irvine stand at Spartans and any under 16 fans must be accompanied on entry and throughout the game by an adult. Spartans last squad out was at home to Dumbarton FC on January 3rd. Bradley White opened the scoring as half time approached. Marc McNulty added a second with twenty minutes to go and that's how it ended in this League2 clash. Like Tranent, Spartans won't be an easy route to the next round. Plenty experience at Ainslie Park, none moreso than former Caley Jag favourite and captain Sean Welsh. Marc McNulty seems to have been everywhere in his senior career except the old firm and at 33 he still has plenty of life left in him. James Craigen has also been around mostly just outside the premiership in his 34 years and Callum Booth has been at Hibs, Partick Thistle, St Johnstone and Dundee United amongst others during his 34 years. Spartans are running away with League 2 at the moment, eight points clear of second place East Kilbride. They have the second best defensive record in that league and have won their last three League games. They got to Round 4 of the Scottish Cup having eliminated East Kilbride 2-1 (McNulty ⚽⚽)and then Bonnyrigg Rose by the same score (Watson⚽ Stowe⚽) From Wiki: Ainslie Park on Pilton Drive in north Edinburgh is the home ground of Spartans. The stadium has a capacity of 3,612 (504 seated). Ainslie Park is only part of the new project that Spartans have invested into their new ground, a wider development of the Spartans Community Football Academy. The new facility incorporates a fully enclosed stadium which meets SFA and SPFL criteria, with an artificial pitch, floodlights, seating for 504 spectators and an overall capacity of 3,612. Another full size, floodlit artificial pitch sits adjacent to the main playing area and the accommodation incorporates six changing rooms, a club room, committee room and a physio room. The Club ground holds a P.A system and a bar for spectators. Who are the Spartans? Founded: 1951 Home ground: The Vanloq Community Stadium Manager: Douglas Samuel Record attendance at City Park: 3,346 v St Mirren (5th February 2006) Record attendance at The Vanloq Community Stadium: 3,127 v Manchester United (23rd July 2011) Record attendance away from home: 11,615 v Aberdeen (21st September 2024) Home colours: white shirt with red flash, red shorts, white socks Away colours: navy shirts, navy shorts, navy socks In a previous life, Caley played Spartans in the Scottish Cup in 1987 winning 5-0. Goals by Urquhart, Robertson (x2), Hercher (x2) Cheers Mantis, memories are made of this. What a find Below images came from Mantis here on CTO

Jags KDM Spot Kick Joy This game went ahead at the second time of asking after wintery weather saw last weeks scheduled fixture postponed. A daunting task ahead for the Caley Jags to take on the second highest ranked team left in the competition behind St Johnstone (who play Ross County tonight). Neither side had been setting the heather on fire recently with Inverness having two defeats and a draw over the last three and Partick with only one win over their last six league games and a 2-0 defeat at Dingwall last Friday. Alfie Stewart has signed on again until the end of the season and started tonight amongst seven changes from the weekend. Much chopping and changing within the Caley Jags ranks recently which is one of the drawbacks of having such a big squad with our bench as strong as our starting XI. Patick Thistle handed first starts to defender Liam Dolan and midfielder Mathew Falconer. Former Caley Jag favourite Logan Chalmers was a thorn in our side early on and he picked his spot from ten yards to open the scoring. Ross Munro made a double save off a Kyle Turner penalty and that woke us from our slumber. Oscar MacIntyre powered a header down and up into the net to level the scoring before Billy Mckay finished a tidy move to edge the Caley jags ahead before the interval. Two goals in a minute turned this game on it's head with Loughrey and Samuel benefitting from defensive slackness before Billy Mckay set us up for a penalty shoot-out. Inverness progressed to last eight 4-2 from the spot. Allan, Zimba, Billy & Spoony netting from 12 yards. Yay ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The first half chance fell to Lian Sole after he cut in from the right but he flashed a left footer high over the bar from 25 yards in the fourth minute. Kyle Turner did similar after 7 minutes firing high into the John Lambie stand. A minute later the first save of the night when Billy Mckay fired low and hard from the edge of the box but Budinauckas was able to get down to smother. Logan Chalmers scored after ten minutes opening his body to place the ball low behind Munro. He tried again a couple of minutes later but pulled a fierce shot a yard wide from the edge of the box. The hosts were controlling the pace of the game and it was no surprise when they were awarded a penalty when Savage tripped Alex Samuel who got onto a great wee ball into the box. Turner took the spot kick but just as he did on Saturday, the keeper was able to push it away to his right before he also blocked the rebound. Good double save from Munro. That lifted the visitors after a tentative start and after some good possession, Liam Sole did well on the wide right before he sent a deep cross where Oscar MacIntyre powered a header into the net with the keeper only able to palm it high into the net. Great goal and a boost for the Caley Jags. More good possession high up the park ended with Adam MacKinnon lashing a shot just over the bar. Partick again were wasteful from ten yards when Turner should have done better than shoot over the bar. Logan Chalmers has been one of the main dangers up front so far with half an hour gone with Liam Sole the most likely up front for Inverness to create something. Good bit of possession since MacIntyre scored and on a quick break out from defensive duties an exchange between Sole and Billy Mckay ended with Sole driving a low first time strike just wide. Seven minutes before the interval a ball into the box was back heeled by Alfie Bavidge into the path of Billy Mckay who guided his shot into the bottom corner for another superb goal. HALF TIME: 1-2 Partick made changes at the interval hooking the two debutants to bring on the vastly experienced Tony Watt and newbie Cale Loughrey. Good run from Alex Samuels as he held off a couple of challenges but his parting shot found the side net from fifteen yards. Mitchell Robertson knocked the ball into the net following a free kick but was adjudged to be offside when scoring. Partick had a big shout for a penalty following a quick burst forward but nothing given. On the hour a great effort from Billy Mckay following some intricate possession flew just wide as the Parick defence held their breath. A point blank save from Munro denied a powerful Tony Watt header and from a second corner Cale Loughrey knocked in an equaliser from five yards. Patick looked more purposeful since the interval. Alas a slack back pass gifted Partick a third goal when Samuels intercepted to turn the game on it's head once more. Alfie Bavidge made his last contribution when he almost volleyed in a third for the visitors but Budinauckas stood tall to deny the striker. Zimba and Longstaff entered the game and Watt fired low and just wide for Partick. MacKinnon had a volley blocked by the Partick defence as we searched for a leveller. Still an open game with half chances at both ends as we entered the final ten minutes. First longer period of possession of late ended with Sole swinging a great cross into the box for prime predator Billy Mckay to knock behind the keeper and level the game. Spoony on for a final fling as the match headed towards penalty kicks. A spot of bother for the Harry Wraggs as the Caley Jags won the shoot-out 4-2. One superb penaly save by Ross Munro and Kyle Turner blasted his well over the bar. Paul Allan, Zimba, Billy & Spoony netting from 12 yards. Yay FULL TIME: 3-3 Inverness win penalty shoot-out 4-2 Here's King Billy Date: 13/01/2026 Venue: Firhill, Wyre Stadium, Partick Attendance: 1370 Referee: Euan Anderson Partick Thistle: 3 (2 pens) Manager: Mark Wilson Lineup: Budinauckas; Logan, Dolan (Loughrey 46), McBeth, Reading, Fitzpatrick, Martin (Lets'osa 70), Turner, Falconer (Watt 46), Chalmers, Samuel (Diack 75) Subs (not used): Clarke; Ashcroft, McPherson Scorers: Chalmers (11), Loughrey (61), Samuel (62) Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 3 (4 pens) Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; Millen, Robertson, Savage, McIntyre, Sole (Wotherspoon 85), Alonge (Longstaff 70), Stewart (Allan 85), MacKinnon, B Mckay, Bavidge (Zimba 70) Subs (not used): Ross; S Thompson, MacLeod, Devine, Chalmers Scorers: MacIntyre (23), Mckay (39, 84) Booked: Robertson (9), Savage (17) Sent Off: none