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Lambs to the Slaughter? Inverness are off to the East this weekend, the East End of Glasgow to be more exact in the unusual position as table toppers, but will we be slaughtering lambs or lambs to the slaughter? Celtic were humbled in midweek by that well known Kazakhstani club Shakhter Karagandy at the Astana Arena, a 2-0 reverse making life more difficult for the Glasgow giants than they would have liked. I'm not sure if Inverness will employ the same tactic of slaughtering a sheep prior to the game at Parkhead. It's such a cruel thing to do to one of your girlfriends, and there is no truth in the rumour that Terry Butcher will quit drinking red wine if Inverness win. Celtic will be smarting after their European nightmare, but they will need to be cautious in their approach to this game ahead of the return with Karagandy as there is a lot of money running on success in the Champions League, whereas winning the SPFL is surely a certainty over the long run as the other contenders play for the best of the rest. Immortal Howden Ender has been given a weekend pass and he seems to be having a question and answer session with himself. He will use his time wisely to compile this preview ahead of Saturdays clash at Parkhead, where for the first time ever, Inverness will arrive in Glasgow as league leaders, but can they sustain it? WE’RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE AND YOU’RE NO !! Q. When was the last time that ICT headed to Parkhead sitting at the top of the Premier League ? A. Never. Well that is until Saturday 24th August 2013 – yet another memorable, history making landmark. The euphoria may not last long but I suggest that we breathe in the air of satisfaction and enjoy it whilst we can. The “spirits” may well be with us at Parkhead and there must be some optimism that we could possibly maintain the lofty position. We go there brimming with confidence – nine points from the opening three games, six goals bagged, McKay netting in each game, three clean sheets from the “newbie” Brill, Vincent settling in nicely and seven of the probable starting eleven having tasted success at Parkhead last November. And in late October 2012 eight played their part in a 3-0 victory at Ibrox. One more realistic manner to look at, is that we have already got nine points in the bag, nine more than our Highland rivals and TWENTY points clear of relegation. Q. When are Celtic at their most vulnerable in the SPL? A. When the games fall in the midst of Champion League ties. We should not be complaining of a 360 mile return trip this week after Celtic have had to endure a 6000 mile trek to far flung Kazakhstan. They may well have travelled in style and stayed in a luxury hotel but the artificial surface would have taken its toll and the 2-0 defeat is close to disastrous financially and they have to have one eye firmly focussed on the return leg next week. I suspect that they may even be confident enough to sacrifice Saturday, confident that they will catch up in time. It will be interesting to see Lennon’s selection but I am sure that he will be forgiven if he secures a Champions League Group spot. Some may point out that Celtic have beaten us before with a second team on display. I would actually be more concerned if we were playing at the TCS. I think that the big pitch will be to our advantage and we really do not have many rookies in there this season. Q. When was the last time that Dean Brill and James Vincent played in front of 50,000 fans? A. I suspect never – well that is until Saturday 24th August 2013. It should be an uplifting and memorable experience for both of them but also clearly the biggest challenge that either player has ever faced – especially Brill. To me he has been the surprise package. I am sure that there were few if any fans who would have placed a bet that he would have had three clean consecutive sheets. I am sure that he would also be the first to share the accolades with the team as a whole but especially the back four who are looking as good a defensive unit as anywhere else in Scotland. Can you imagine how Dean and the defensive unit will feel if they march out of Glasgow with a “four in a row” record? James Vincent is probably not under as much pressure and that may encourage him to put in that extra mile. He has a “stage” to audition on and to enhance his already growing reputation. Add Brill and Vincent to Raven, Meekings, Warren, Draper and McKay one can only compliment the Varsella/Butcher “scouting” prowess and sticks two fingers clearly up to the retractors who had initially scoffed at the recruitment of “lower league” unknowns. So once again we venture through the Gorbals and the hardier of us will enjoy the pre-match banter with the away support in the surprisingly welcoming ambiance of the London Road Tavern and the Springfield Vaults. And let’s hope that recent results add a few more to the away support, albeit stuck in the far away corner. I suspect that we may even create more atmosphere with the demise of the Green Brigade section and the locals saving their vocal chords for next week. Terry is keeping his injuries to himself this week. I can’t see Warren being a doubt due to a hand injury unless he is being considered for the goalkeeping position. The other “two” doubts probably pertain to David Raven and A.N.Other. The big difference is that we do have significantly more strength in depth this season to cover such eventualities – but let us hope that it is a case of same again. It is nigh impossible for any punter to guess what team Neil Lennon is going to pick but he evidently will have next week praying on his mind and undoubtedly the Board and the fans as well. We have to accept that any point taken from Parkhead, despite the opposition player selection, will need 100% effort and concentration on our behalf over the ninety minutes and is nowhere near a possibility. Such things have to be fought for and earned. In conclusion Terry has made a couple of quotes this week which probably could never have been uttered at any time previously during his spell at ICT – or possibly anywhere else: “We know how good they are just now, but we don’t know how good they can be" “The players are playing with smiles on their faces and we’re sending the supporters home with smiles on their faces.” Long may that last, J

Inverness Maintain Early Form Inverness remain top of the table with another impressive performance and another three points. This time it was Dundee United that suffered at the hands of Billy McKay who scored after flicking the ball over Dillon and calmly lifting the ball beyond Cierzniak. Inverness held on fairly comfortably against an inept United team that boasted the return of David Goodwillie to their ranks. However, in truth, one glaring miss apart from the prodigal Goodwillie, Inverness could and should have increased their lead and sealed the win sooner before United staged a late rally. By ten to five it was three points and another clean sheet, Inverness' best start to a campaign in the top tier. Capital Caley was at the game along with the usual suspects and he has this report for us........ This was possibly one of Caley Thistles comfiest 1-0 victories. The score line doesn’t reflect the true difference between Inverness and Dundee United. ICT were superior in every part of the park. A larger than usual and very vocal travelling support descended on Tannadice with confidence high after destroying the Midden 3-0 in the opening game of the season. The Arabs had got off to a stuttering start with a 0-0 draw at Firhill on the opening weekend. Many of the ICT away day regulars gathered at the Centenary Bar (although it isn’t the Centenary Bar anymore!) The new management separated the home and away fans in different bars and lined the doors with bouncers. I don’t think we’ll ever be quite as intimidating as the guys in that awful football movie with a Hobbit in it though. ICT started off the game strongly. From that moment they never lost their grip on the match. James Vincent was the first to threaten as his left foot shot went just wide. Graeme Shinnie could have opened the scoring minutes later as Billy McKay slid the ball across the box only for Radoslaw Cierzniak to save at his near post. ICT took a deserved lead after 20 minutes. Forans ball into the box found McKay who lobbed the United defender before lobbing the keeper. It was a classy goal that would prove to be the match winner. Shortly after, Richie Foran received a caution for a foul on Gary Mackay-Steven. It was a high footed challenge but judging by his reaction, it was clearly an accident and a yellow card was the correct decision. United First Team Coach Darren Jackson has a Derek Adams moment as he seethed from the touchline before being calmed down by the referee. ICT were playing some superb football. For all the superb football played, United were crumbling in midfield. They looked disjointed and lacking in confidence. They did manage a half chance towards the end of the first half when Stuart Armstrongs shot from outside the box fell into the arms of Dean Brill. Richie Foran and Ross Draper were bossing the midfield and this carried on into the second half. ICT were winning and holding possession with even greater ease during the second half. The Arabs fans were frustrated and boos soon broke out around the ground. Midway through the second half there was much bemusement as a seagull landed on the pitch and seemed to be following the ball. That was until it felt the full force of a Gary Warren pass! The injured seagull soon left the pitch, although it may have been more effective than the United midfield. Ex-Caley Thistle midfielder John Rankin was substituted on the hour mark for United, much to his frustration with yet more United seethe evident. United nearly gained an undeserved equaliser when on loan ex-Arab David Goodwillie fluffed his shot after Gary Mackay-Steven beat David Raven down the wing. That was a rare thing on Saturday for sure! With 15 minutes left, Danny Devine came on for David Raven after the right back picked up an injury. Liam Polwarth came on for the impressive Aaron Doran with a few minutes left and looked just as creative as he did in pre-season. Caley Thistle should have doubled their lead towards the end when Graeme Shinnie tackled Calum Butcher and set up McKay. McKay then crossed in to Shinnie with an open goal, however the United defender got a small touch on the ball just before he shot. The ball went agonisingly wide. At full time, there were cheers around the ICT support as Terry Butcher performed his famous away day celebration. We out played, and out thought the Arabs. Every man had a good game. The midfield was key but noticeable stand out was Ross Draper. The big midfielder got to everything. He was tackling and winning left right and centre. It’s early days yet, but this could shape up to be a very special season. We are top of the league! Date: 10.08.2013 Venue: Tannadice Attendance: 6664 Referee: Steven McLean Dundee United: 0 Lineup: Cierzniak, Dillon, Butcher, Watson, Robertson, Paton, Rankin (Graham 59), Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Goodwillie (Ciftci 85), Erskene (Dow 63) Subs (not used): McCallum, Souttar, Gunning, Gauld Scorers: none Booked: Watson, Ciftci Sent Off: None Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Brill, Raven (Devine 74), Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Vincent, Draper, Foran, Doran (Polworth 86), Ross, Mckay Subs (not used): Esson, Greenhalgh, Tremarco, Agdestein, Williams Scorers: McKay (20) Booked: Warren, Doran, Foran Sent Off: none This post has been promoted to an article This post has been promoted to an article

Ready for the off A new season has crept up on us and a new scribe has joined the editorial team at CTO to whet your appetite for the big kick off. Kirishima will get our season rolling as he previews the Buddies visit to Inverness, a place where the Paisley side have done reasonably well in recent seasons. Inverness appear to have had a more satisfactory pre-season than the Buddies and look like they are raring to go, but the season starts in earnest this weekend and we can take nothing for granted against a side buoyed by their success in last seasons League Cup Final. There are a few new names to get our heads around so without further ado, I'll let Kirishima tell you all about it. This historic, first ever SPFL Scottish Premiership match for Inverness Caledonian Thistle will kick-off at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium against St. Mirren at 15:00 this Saturday. Another merger, I hear you say as the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League join forces for the betterment of the game North of the border. Inverness have yet again been strengthening their ranks and welcome Torbjorn Agdestein, Curtis Allen, Dean Brill, Adam Evans, Ben Greenalgh, Carl Tremarco, James Vincent, Marley Watkins, and Danny Williams to the team. While Inverness finished off their pre-season beating English Championship side Charlton 1-0 at The Valley, St. Mirren were beaten 4-0 by the same opposition in Spain at the Marbella Football Centre (Inverness would clearly rather have Marsella than be in Marbella). National newspapers have been taking note, with The Herald calling it a “perfect send-off to a productive pre-season” and The Scotsman running the headline: “Few likely to dismiss Inverness’ prospects this season”. With the first game at home, optimism is high around the Capital of the Highlands. St. Mirren will not be coming to make up the numbers in any sense. St. Mirren, Scottish Communities League Cup holders, had a w-d-d record against Inverness last season. Experience is the chosen option for Danny Lennon; new signings Danny Grainger and Gary Harkins add to captain Jim Goodwin, Paul McGowan, and former internationalists Gary Teale and Steven Thompson. The latter has cited a determination to better last season’s lowly finish, positivity around St. Mirren Park, and believes creativity will be the key to their season this year. St. Mirren however has defensive and attacking concerns leading up to the start of the season. A disappointing pre-season saw a further four goals shipped to Morton and QoS, and the Buddies have struggled to sign a striker in time for Saturday, after a failed loan bid for Celtic’s Tony Watt. Physios on both teams have work to do; Curtis Allen has had a “nightmare pre-season” and misses out due to a knee-injury suffered after just his third day at the club. Marley Watkins also misses out due to an ankle injury from the friendly against Forres. Connor Pepper is out after injuring his groin at Elgin. Stalwarts Esson and Foran however are expected to be available for Saturday. Scotland U-21 midfielder Kenny McLean misses out for the visitors. 29-year-old Kevin Clancy will referee for the afternoon in Inverness. Terry Butcher will be keen to avoid a repeat of last season’s start when seven games had gone by without a win before the team got into gear for their highest ever finish in a season. As this is Inverness’ historic first home game in the all-new Scottish Premiership, what better time to better that? ***Latest Team News*** Inverness manager Terry Butcher has pulled off a late smash and grab in the transfer market and has signed Norwegian u21 forward Torbjorn Agdestein on a six-month contract. He had been plying his trade at Brighton where he had been farmed out to Bath City. At six foot one, he would make an ideal target man to feed Billy McKay and that option appeals to Butcher who may be tempted to throw him in at the deep end. Agdestein scored in the NoS cup draw at Brora last midweek, the young side losing 3-0 on penalties to a very much ICT experienced Highland League side. Keeper Dean Brill looks set to replace injury prone Ryan Esson should he fail to fully recover in time. Danny Lennon would love to have cup scoring sensation Conor Newton back in his squad for the new season and his Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew reckons it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Newton could return to Paisley to learn his trade in the SPFL. The season's start will probably come to soon for injured duo Jon Robertson and David Barron, and Danny Grainger is not guaranteed a start as he needs to show his new gaffer that he is fully match fit, although that could just be one of Lennon's smoke screens.