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Tough Task Ahead Inverness face one of their toughest examinations in recent weeks with the visit to Tannadice likely to test their resolve, as the rapidly improving Dundee club look to gain revenge for the 4-0 hammering they suffered at Inverness. That game was a campaign changing one for Inverness. It kick started our season with our first win and our first clean sheet, with Antonio Reguero starting in place of the injured Ryan Esson, and he has not looked back since as Inverness went on a seven game unbeaten run. United had struggled to find their form up to that point as well, but strangely enough they have also kicked on from their early season blues and are one of the form teams in the SPL right now with only two defeats in the nine games since we last met. We are however, thee form team of the moment winning our last four away games including wins at Aderdeen and Celtic, so Tannadice should hold no fears for us. We have, of course, shaken off our shadows in an undistinguished cup replay in midweek, least said about that the better, although all that matters in the cup is getting through to the next round and we achieved that. A bitterly cold night was not conducive to silky football and the rough looking pitch was a bit of a leveller as County made us work hard to move on to Killie in the next round. The good news from that game was that Billy McKay just keeps on scoring with another two excellent strikes, one from the spot, and a full international cap beckons, one might think. United warmed up for this game with a comfortable derby win over the Dark Blues, scoring three without reply, similar to our cruise against the Hibees. Watson, Daly and Flood scored the goals for the Arabs and they are now up to seventh in the league on twenty three points, five behind Inverness. ***Latest Team News*** No fresh worries for Inverness, only good news. Nick Ross is ready to get back into action and could feature on the bench. Aaron Doran is hoping for a contract extension and has stated his preference to remain with Inverness and contract talks have begun with the core of the squad in readiness for another season. Hogg and King remain sidelined. Dundee United defender Sean Dillon may not feature after missing recent matches with a thigh injury. Gavin Gunning and Brian McLean are likely to continue in central defence should Dillon fail to make it. Houston is still searching for his own contract at United, nothing forthcoming yet. tm4tj Prediction:- This one could go either way, both sides on the up and both capable of destroying the opposition on their day. I would take a point right now and we might have to settle for a scoring draw, we can't be vexed at that surely. :ictscarf:

Mr Motivator is at it again It could be the world face gurning championships in Inverness as Derek Adams and his shadows return to the Pride of the Highlands dome for the next gripping installment of the Highland derby. Derek was not best pleased after his side conceded a later than late goal to take this tie back to Inverness for another tussle on the turf and his ungracious bitterness was evident as he slapped hands and turned away from the cameras uttering a few uncomplimentary remarks in the process, his contorted face removing the smile that lit up his fizogg only moments earlier. Seething. Only ten days after that dramatic encounter in Dingwall, both clubs have it all to do again, the prize for the victor, a lengthy trip to Kilmarnock in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. If it's half as enthralling as the last game, then it will be well worth the paltry admission price of £15. It was worth that alone to see Mr Adams face at the final whistle last time out and a similar expression would be a reasonable sign that things have gone well for the home side. As mentioned previously, it's not just another game. It's a cup tie, local derby, revenge mission, marker for the season and bragging rights all rolled into one where the winners holds their heads high and the losers regroup for another season without a cup run and their fans take the flak for another few weeks. Ginger Jaggy is brave enough to set the scene for the joust and he reveals all in his preview........ County Cup Cracker Part Two Tuesday sees part two of the County cup cracker after the dramatic draw at Victoria Park. It is very difficult to say what is going to happen in this game after the drama that ensued over a week ago. Since the 1st of December Caley Thistle has climbed to new heights getting to second in the SPL to be Celtics direct challenge at the moment. Remarkably the Caley Jags are the only other team looking at claiming a league and cup treble. But to keep the dream alive we have to dispose of our biggest rivals in this replay. Since the demise of the Old Firm derby in the SPL, the Highland derby has taken centre stage to add to a number of derbies the SPL has gained. The first ever SPL derby match at the Caledonian stadium was a major success with a great energy, intensity and atmosphere. The game was filled with drama and goals for each side in a very competitive and exciting match. The honours though remained in Inverness with the club from Dingwall retreating back across the Kessock Bridge without anything to show for their second half pressure. But if that game was exciting in Inverness then the cup match at the new Victoria Park (Global Energy Stadium) was the tie of the round. Arbroath’s equaliser at Parkhead was a surprise and the Edinburgh derby showed all the determination and passion a derby brings but the Highland cup tie brought all that and more. Take away the dramatic stoppage time and there was still cracking goals and controversial moments to make it one of the best Highland derbies of all time. The Caley Thistle goal may have only been an equaliser but it felt like a victory, and that will produce the momentum going into the replay. This is a derby so no result is certain but on paper there can only be one winner. ICT have been a revelation on the pitch this season only tasting defeat on three occasions against only two sides. The football has been remarkable and some results have been out of this world. ICT have really found some gems but as a team every player has contributed, from the bigger names like the Shinnie brothers and Billy Mackay to the unheralded players like David Raven and his back 5 counterparts. County on the other hand have been solid if unspectacular this season. Dundee looked to be the poorest team in the league so unless something dramatic happens or Dundee spends lots in January to strengthen, then County should be comfortable enough to continue hostilities into next season. They have been pretty solid on the large part this season and have picked up a few impressive results along the way but their Achilles heel this season has been a lack of goals apart from a hectic flurry at St Mirren where they scored four but still lost. In fact County sit 10th with a meagre return of 19 goals so far this campaign. The first tie ended 3-3 with two of the Staggies goals having some luck attached to them. Reguero was not put into action often enough during a half where he had the low winters sun in his eyes. No such issues tonight. So part two is now upon us and if this tie is anything like the original, everyone is going to be warmed up on what is likely to be a cold evening. The added clause with this tie is that a last minute equaliser will now be enough; the game has to be decided on the night so we may have even more drama of extra time and penalties. For the supporters this game doesn’t need any introduction but if some of you reading this haven’t quite got the derby excitement yet, then I suggest listening to the great ICT fans motivator Derek Adams. To all at the game MAKE SOME NOISE AND ROAR ICT INTO THE 5TH ROUND. :ictscarf: ***Latest Team News*** Inverness have no fresh injury worries despite Richie Foran trying his best to get injured last weekend. He is, however, made of stern stuff and will be fit to take his place in the side. Philip Roberts returns to the squad and is available for selection after a weekend in London for personal reasons and after extending his loan deal from Arsenal until the summer. Nick Ross (shoulder) and Simon King (ankle) are closer to a comeback than Chris Hogg, who remains out with a knee injury. Ross County defender Mihael Kovacevic has recovered from illness after being taken off in the loss at Motherwell. Russell Duncan, Mark Corcoran, Sam Morrow and Martin Scott remain injured.

Late drama at Shadows gig Inverness forced a dramatic last gasp equaliser which abruptly wiped the grin off a disgruntled Derek Adams' dial, and it had appeared only a minute earlier. This was the finish to end all finishes as Richie Foran drove home the ball with the last kick of the game to bring Adams to the verge of tears. It was a bright sunny day for the early kick off and the low sun would play a part in the action as the game reached a crescendo. The early action was a bit hectic with Inverness controlling the flow of the game without being too creative and County were chasing shadows for most of the first half. Billy McKay broke the deadlock with a superb volley after Foran nodded a ball back across goal. Rocco Quinn returned the compliment with an equally impressive strike then some bizarre goals swung the game in favour of the Dingwall side. Richie Foran appeared to glance a McKay shot with his face, wrong footing Mark Brown to put the visitors ahead once more. A huge deflection off David Raven saw an Ian Vigurs shot loop high over a stranded Reguero and the crazy sequence continued as a Richard Brittain free kick found it's way into the net after everyone missed it in the box, including Reguero. Game over you would have thought, Derek Adams certainly did, but after a thunderous forty yard strike by Owain Tudur-Jones was pushed away, the resulting corner saw Foran snatch a deserved leveller as he turned a Meekings header into the net to send the Caley Jags fans into hysterics. It was a frenetic opening half hour with neither side creating much although Inverness had the upper hand. That would change after half an hour whem Billy McKay scored a superb opener. Doran's free kick was headed back across goal by captain marvel Richie Foran and McKay swivelled some fifteen yards out to volley a beauty behind Mark Brown high into the net off his right hand post. It looked at this point that Inverness would sweep County aside but they almost equalised near half time when a Brittain free kick rattled Reguero's post with the keeper ensuring the ball stayed out. The loose ball found Vigurs slamming a shot goalward but it was brilliantly blocked on the line and Inverness broke swiftly to the other end. McKay had rounded Brown but his shot from a tight angle was also blocked on the line. Foran headed the corner just wide as the half ended with a flourish. It would be a taster of what was to come in the second period. Half Time 0-1 Less than five minutes into the second half and County drew level with a stunning goal of their own. Kovasevic was afforded too much space on the right and as he rolled the ball across the edge of the box, Quinn matched McKay's effort to curl the ball across Reguero into the roof of the net from twenty yards. County then looked the more likely to go on and win the game as the Inverness midfield disappeared and the Staggies new found belief saw them pressure the visiting defence, but they held firm with some frantic defending. A rare foray forward saw Andy Shinnie turn sharply in the box but Brown saved well low to his left as Inverness started to come to grips with the game again and when McKay tried a shot from distance, part of Richie Foran diverted the ball beyond a stranded Brown, from a suspiciously offside position, although Ross Tokely pulling Richie back could have seen a penalty given. Inverness were back on top now and looked likely to stretch their lead but it was the home side who threw a spanner in the works when Vigurs strolled forward some thirty yards out. He tried a long distance shot which Raven tried to block but all he succeeded in doing was to loop the ball high over the outstretched Reguero and into the net. If you thought that one was hard to take, the next one was even tougher. Vigurs was handed a free kick after a soft Raven challenge and Brittain drove a low curling ball into the six yard box. It's one of those ones where everybody is frightened to touch the ball and as nobody appeared to, it ended up in the back of the net. That cheered up Mr Adams, but his grin was swiftly removed a minute or so later. Inverness surged forward one last time and a vicious Jones thunderbolt from nigh on forty yards saw Brown struggle to keep the swerving ball out, and from the corner that followed, Meekings header landed near Foran and he scooped the ball goalwards. Nobody is sure who scored it, Roberts might be brave enough to try and claim it, and the elation drained rapidly from Derek's face as the game was over. Full Time 3-3 Not the most technically brilliant game, but it was accepted cup tie fare and two sensational goals a bit of controversy, a one man pitch invasion, flares and a greetin faced git just made my day. You couldn't write this........oh well someone has to and the dramatic end to the game just rounded off a hectic cup tie with it all to do again in the replay at Inverness. A draw was a fair reflection on the game and if the replay is half as enthralling then it will be worth watching. tm4tj MotM is going to Richie Foran who cropped up in the right places at the right time and boy, did he enjoy those goals. 1st Dec 2012, Scottish Cup, Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall Ross County: 3 - Quinn (49), Vigurs (85), Brittain (90+3) TEAM: Brown, Kovacevic, Tokely, Boyd, Fitzpatrick, Brittain, Kettlewell (Fotheringham 81), Vigurs, Quinn, Morrow (Ross 78), Glen SUBS: Fraser, Munro, Cooper Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness C.T.: 3 - McKay (30), Foran (74, 90+5) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, Warren, Meekings, G.Shinnie, A.Shinnie, Draper, Tudur-Jones, Doran, McKay, Foran SUBS: Esson, Sutherland, Pepper, Roberts, Cooper Booked: Draper (80), A.Shinnie (90) Sent Off: none Referee: Craig Thomson Attendance: 5077

Shadowlands Its off to Shadowland this weekend for the 12:15 Scottish Cup Highland derby, the first encounter in the cup between these two clubs. Inverness hope to knock County out in the shadow boxing this Saturday. Forever in our shadows has been trending since the first SPL derby when Inverness upstaged SPL virgins Ross County to take the points and leave The Staggies in our shadows once more. Inverness are not newcomers to playing Scottish Cup football in Dingwall. The Caledonian Stadium upgrade work was well underway in January 2005 and the tie against St Johnstone was switched to Victoria Park Dingwall in what was the then manager Craig Brewster's first playing appearance for his new club. The game was almost called off after torrential rain and sleet fell throughout, but it just escaped the weather and Inverness edged out St Johnstone with Golabek heading the winner after 75 minutes, the ground resembling a Xmas card scene long before the end. 2021 people were at that game, I imagine there will be a somewhat much bigger crowd for this one with both clubs now plying their trade in the SPL. There has been three cup games played between the clubs. Two Challenge Cup ties both being played in Inverness and both finishing 1-0 to the Caley Jags. The third cup game was a League Cup fixture at Victoria Park in August 2004. A Barry Wilson corner was met by the head of who else, but Ross Tokely and that was enough for Inverness to advance to the next round. 3315 were at that game where County had players like John Rankin and Don Cowie in their side. Inverness were blessed with Mark Brown, Ross Tokely, Grant Munro, Russell Duncan and Michael Fraser ................ Where are they now? The most recent derby was the first ever SPL game between the two sides where Inverness eventually ran out 3-1 winners in a storming encounter. Early goals from Ross Draper and Richie Foran put Inverness in the driving seat before Ian Vigurs reduced the leeway with a well struck free kick. A tremendous volley from Aaron Doran settled the match near the end and the TV companies were pretty pleased with the offering from both clubs. This draw has already whetted the appetite of both sets of supporters with County fans hoping for revenge for the SPL encounter and Inverness fans looking to keep County in their shadows. League form would tell you that Inverness would be firm favourites to progress in this competition. However, there are a few stumbling blocks to that notion. It is a derby, the fiercest rivalry in the game. It is a chance for County to gain revenge on Inverness for that first SPL derby. It is also a great opportunity for ex-Inverness players to prove a point. It is being played in Dingwall, a narrow pitch where midfield congestion is the order of the day and free space is at a premium. The Staggies will have a fair advantage in the stands, the twelfth man. We don't do favourites, and lastly, they must be sick of the taunting that has gone on since the 5th of October, almost two months of shadow baiting. Our form away from Inverness has been startlingly good. We have won our last four away games including visits to Parkhead and Pittodrie. We have scored a goal in every game this season, our defence is getting to know each other and Billy McKay is turning into a top poacher. County have been in indifferent form, only one win in their last six games, at home to Aberdeen, but there are three draws in that sequence. Eight goals in eight games for County in Dingwall and you can see why they are 10th in the table, but that is countered by the fact that they have only lost eight goals as well. Inverness legend Ross Tokely has expressed his displeasure at the booing he received from a small section of the Inverness support. Let's hope there's not a repeat of this, but he can't expect Inverness fans to be cheering him on with vigour as he now plays for our local rivals.........unless he gets his header under the bar this time. Still, once a legend, always a legend and I'm sure many fans will wish him and the other defectors well, just not this weekend. ***Latest Team News*** Ross Draper came through his return game at Aberdeen without any adverse reaction. Antonio Reguero will surely retain the keepers jersey with Ryan Esson closing in on full fitness. Hogg, King and Ross are all out long term at the moment. Ross County look to be going into this game with Mark Brown as their number 1 after Michael Fraser was relieved of his duties recently. Grant Munro is a doubt for County, as is Sam Morrow, both players being replaced at half time against St Mirren. Russell Duncan and Mark Corcoran are yet to feature after injury. tm4tj Prediction:- It's a cup game and anything goes. Our great SPL form counts for nothing in the heat of a derby and the added interest of the cup. On paper we should be favourites but the game is not played on paper and you can be assured that there will be some tasty tackles flying in on the cramped Dingwall pitch. All this makes me think that a draw would be a decent result and another healthy cheque will please the accountants of both clubs and my guesstimate is that a replay may be needed to separate these two enemies. Mon the Caley Jags :ictscarf: :ictscarf: