tm4tj

Can we get through the EuroDoor After a quite remarkable season for a number of reasons, the final piece of the EuroJigsaw will be put in place after the last games of the SPL season are played on Sunday. The EuroDoor was left ajar after last weeks disappointment against the Arabs, but we have another opportunity to step through that door with a season defining derby against Ross County on the Sabbath. It's still a bit complex, but a Caley Jags win will put our minds at rest. Unfortunately we will have to do that at Dingwall, never an easy place to get a win at the best of times, and against our local rivals, who are still seething from the earlier games played this season. St Johnstone are the other team involved in the Euro shootout and they host Motherwell where they require a win to put pressure on us, but that is against second placed Motherwell, it couldn't be tighter. Plenty of posturing and gamesmanship going on in the press this week in the build up to the games. Derek Adams can hardly bring himself to say our name in public, shame really as he and his side have also had a fantastic season and it is incredible to think that both Highland teams will finish at the business end of the table with sleeping giants from Edinburgh and Aberdeen languishing in the bottom half of the table and The Rangers only able to compete in the third division. Ian Vigurs has been bumping his gums all week looking to put a spanner in the Inverness works. It's a pity that such a talented player resorts to making these kind of statements, but I suppose he gets as good as he gives when the Caley Jags fans affectionately chant his name during these derby games. Transfer subject Richard Brittain took a nasty twist of the knee last week but has confirmed that the injury is not as serious as first feared which is good news for him with St Johnstone and Ross County still at loggerheads over his signature although he will be out at least until the start of pre-season. On the theme of missing players, St Johnstone defender Fraser Wright has been cited by the SFA for an elbow incident against Celtic and will miss their crunch match against Motherwell. We fare no better with Richie Foran and Ross Draper both suspended; it's all happening this weekend. Much has been said about the derby's played out this season. Tremendous entertainment and drama has already unfolded before massed crowds and the last second equaliser in the cup sparked scenes of mass hysteria and histerical observations as Derek Adams was full of seethe, seemingly unhappy about his side being pegged back in the time added on to the time added on. This crucial game will be played out on a field similar to the terrain covered by the Highland Marchers, that intrepid bunch of Internutters who are at it again, walking from the penultimate game to the final destination. This year it's only twelve miles between Inverness and Dingwall, but no, that's not sufficient for these madmen who have hiked over the sea to Skye and back before Sunday's game, just to keep it interesting. Well done to all taking part and you can give them a cheer as they complete the last few miles on the Sabbath from Strathpeffer to Dingwall in time for the early kick off. With Brittain, Foran and Draper missing, the midfield battle will be an intriguing one and it won't be for the faint hearted on County's congested tattie field of a battleground. Conditions look as though they may be dry as well which will make it a fiery surface with more sand on it than Nairn beach. Wet conditions will turn it into a quagmire. Let's hope that both sides can conquer the obstacles in front of them and produce another cracking Highland Derby. The world of football will be watching nationwide and what better way to bring the season down than a full blooded spectacle with a Euro prize waiting to be won or lost. Some players will be playing their last games for Inverness and they will be looking to leave on a high. Andy Shinnie is Birmingham bound and leaves us after a fantastic season where he was capped for his country and was short listed for Scotland's player of the year. Antonio Reguero has proven himself as an able deputy for the oft injured Ryan Esson and he has been tempted down to Kilmarnock. Chris Hogg has won his personal injury battle and recently returned from a career threatening injury but will depart after this game and Shane Sutherland and Gavin Morrison will be looking for new clubs. Let's give them a send off to be proud of. Terry talks to Auldy Boy ahead of the crucial County derby. ***Latest Team News*** Inverness as stated above will be without influential captain Richie Foran and Ross Draper, both of whom have picked up too many yellow cards and are suspended. Gary Warren, the fans player of the year is out injured but the signed on again Ryan Esson made the bench last week and there are no other major concerns for this one. Ross County will miss their captain Richard Brittain who twisted his knee against Motherwell. Defender Branislav Micic and goalkeeper Mark Brown remain out and Rocco Quinn is a major doubt. tm4tj prediction:- They don't come any tougher than this one. Major players missing out through injuries and suspensions and Inverness needing a win to ensure European football. County needing a win to get one over their Highland rivals and to come out of the shadows. Sometimes the tension and expectations can get too great in this type of game and it passes some players by. However I expect both sides to give their all here and it would be no surprise to see both sides having to settle for a point apiece. I'll go even further and suggest that St Johnstone and Motherwell draw as well thus handing the Euro spot to Inverness. There, I said it! Fingers crossed. :ictscarf:

Pleasure or Pressure? Dundee United are the visitors on Saturday as the season heads towards a climax where games still have a bearing on the final rewards of an enthralling campaign. Only two games left and Inverness are still in the hunt for that coveted third place in the SPL which will be rewarded with European football, something alien for Inverness, but much sought after at the end of a tremendous season. Richie Foran has hinted that it's not pressure that they are enduring, but pleasure and playing with a smile on your face helps. Aye right! With St Johnstone kicking off earlier at 12:15, the Caley Jags task might become clearer by kick off time at 15:00. Should Celtic defeat St Johnstone an Inverness win will guarantee European football before the final games next week. However, it's all ifs and buts and Butcher will take it one game at a time. It could of course still go pear shaped, such is the complexity of the situation. Games against Dundee United have seen plenty of goals this season, apart from the last one which drew a blank. Twelve goals between them with Inverness scoring eight. The first game in the Highlands saw Inverness run out comfortable 4-0 winners, Richie Foran scoring a brace with Andy Shinnie and Phillip Roberts completing the rout. The reverse game at Tannadice was a cracker. United racing into a three goal lead inside eight minutes before Inverness incredibly went ahead only for United to earn a point with a last gasp Daly penalty. Billy McKay scored a hat-trick that day and Gary Warren scored the other. Recent form shows that United have lost three consecutive games since their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic at Hampden Park. We have fared little better, losing two of our three post-split matches, but last weeks thrilling victory over Motherwell fairly put a smile on the fans faces. If Richie is feeling no pressure, he should try sitting in the North Stand, heart stopping stuff. ***Latest Team News*** Inverness will have Richie Foran available before his ban kicks in next week against Ross County, and David Raven returns from suspension to bolster the squad in what will be another crucial game in the race for Europe. Chris Hogg made a fantastic return last week and it will be interesting to see if Butcher goes with his experience or the youthful Danny Devine in defence. Warren, Esson and King are still out. Dundee United will be without the suspended Barry Douglas after they failed to overturn the red card decision and injuries will rule out Keith Watson, Sean Dillon and Gavin Gunning. tm4tj prediction:- It's getting too tense to call. I couldn't go through many more ninety minutes like that last week and I will just shut my eyes and hope for the best. United will have players playing to impress new boss Jackie McNamara and on their day they are a stern test for the best of them, let's hope we are just as fired up as we were for our last game and another blistering start will set our over active minds at rest. Any kind of win would be lovely and I'll be chuffed with a 2-1 victory and three points in the bag. :ictscarf: