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Breakfast football It's an early kick off at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium this Saturday (12:45) as Celtic, for the second week running visit the Highlands for a lunchtime start, this time against Inverness. Well travelled Celtic have been to Helsinki, Philadelphia, Dingwall, Helsingborg and now Inverness in successive games. Sounds like something from an episode of Only Fools and Horses! Both sides left it late last weekend to snatch draws in time added on. For Inverness, young Conor Pepper salvaged a draw for the ten man Highlanders in the capital, whilst Neil Lennon's champions struggled to subdue a spritely Ross County as Kris Commons equalised after a thunderous free kick from Richard Brittain had opened the scoring, Counties first ever SPL goal. For the second week running, Inverness were reduced to ten men. This time Richie Foran was sent packing after a rash lunge at Ryan McGowan on the halfway line. Foran should really know better than this, but he continually pushes the refs to the limits and he can have little complaints or sympathy after his most recent indiscretion. Considering he was just back after missing the opening two games through suspension then it would appear that he has not learned anything and surely the time has come for Butcher to get his golden bollocks to toe the line or face the punishment that fits the crime. Foran's ommission comes on top of Jones' ban and they will both sit out this TV encounter with Celtic. Our squad is thin enough without having a man sent off every week and having two vastly experienced players missing for this game could be detrimental to our chances of remaining unbeaten this season. One thing that could sway it back in our favour is that Celtic had a European tie at Helsingborgs to contend with and they won't enjoy another trek to the Highlands in the same week either. Ki Sung-yueng will not be here on Saturday, he will be joining Swansea for a fee believed to be around £5 or £6 million. That will give Celtic a £3 to £4 million pound profit for the 23 year old South Korean, and will help to pay off some of their £7 million debt the club revealed in February. Skipper Scott Brown, striker Gary Hooper, midfielder Paddy McCourt and winger James Forrest all missed the 1-1 draw with Ross County in Dingwall on Saturday, Lennon saving them for the Champions league game in Sweden. Celtic warmed up for this one with a Champions League Qualifier against Helsingborgs IF and they made a quick start to the game, Commons scoring in the first couple of minutes. Joe Ledley went off injured after an hour and Commons followed with Hooper hobbling off at the end. Samaras scored a decisive second but the scoreline is not as interesting to me as the injury list, with a trip to Inverness looming. Recent Form The last six encounters in the Highlands (including two SFA Cup games) show Celtic winning four with one no scoring draw and a solitary victory for Inverness, one which still hurts the Celtic fans. A 3-2 victory saw Celtic blow their title aspirations in May 2011 and allowed a now defunct Glasgow club to pinch the league championship. One young man had one of his finest games for ICT that day and scored a stunning goal. Alas, Shane Sutherland has struggled somewhat since his early promise, being played mainly out wide, possibly not his strongest position, but it's not for the want of trying. Other scorers for Inverness that day were Mulgrew (og) and departing defender Grant Munro. Kris Commons scored both Celtic's goals, the second one a penalty in stoppage time. Latest Team News Inverness have the two suspended players out, bad boys Foran and Jones. Boss Butcher decided not to contest the red card decision as it would have been a waste of time. Guilty as charged m'lud. Jason Oswell has an achilles injury and Chris Hogg is still missing from his long term knee damage. Butcher has a choice to make in midfield where either Morrison or Ross will fill the gap left by the red carded pair, and a change of tactics is on the cards as well. Celtic boss Neil Lennon has midweek knocks to contend with. Rogne, Brown, Hooper, Commons, Kayal and Ledley all struggled at Helsingborgs. With McGeough, and Stokes still injured, it seems that they are joined by Kayal (ankle) and Ledley (groin) with the other walking wounded trying to make the squad for Inverness. Tony Watt and James Forrest came through the game though, and Forrest especially looked very dangerous driving at the defence and will be a handful for any defenders in the SPL. Mo Bangura could be ready to return from a thigh strain.

Festival of Football at Tynecastle Scottish Cup holders Hearts will host Inverness Caledonian Thistle this weekend in the third SPL game of the season as the Edinburgh Festival gets into full swing. Inverness have failed to hold on to a lead in both of their opening fixtures, being pegged back to draws at Paisley and Inverness although it is a better start to the campaign than last term. Things looked bright in the opening exchanges against Killie last week but failure to add to the early goal from midfielder Andy Shinnie saw the visitors claw their way back into the match and level the scores before half-time, well a couple of minutes into time added on at the interval. This lack of concentration is a worrying trend with Inverness losing vital goals at very late stages of either half with annoying regularity. Hearts started their season off with victory at home against St Johnstone and an unconvincing draw in the Edinburgh derby last Sunday. They too have yet to establish their best line up and formation after the departure of some of their high earners at the end of their cup winning season. Notable leavers are Ian Black, Craig Beattie who has joined St Johnstone, Suso Santana and the excellent Rudi Skacel. They will be without the services of David Templeton who has been banned for two games after lashing out at James McPake in the Edinburgh derby and likewise Inverness will have the red misted Owain Tudur-Jones absent after his aberration against Kilmarnock. Capital Caley gives us an insight into this game with this preview We head down to Tynecastle for our second away day of the season. It’s been an interesting to the season. A draw away from home to St Mirren and a draw at home to Kilmarnock in games that we could have won if we had taken our chances. Hearts started strongly against St Johnstone with an easy 2-0 win. However, next up was derby rivals Hibernian. Most neutrals would have predicted a Hearts win, but they were surprisingly poor and could only manage the draw. Caley Thistle are in a much better shape than they were this time last season. We had lost both of the opening games to Motherwell and Hibs. We were already plagued and the opening performances were very poor. Things are looking a lot brighter now. We have two more points in the bag. So far, the starting XI / squad is stable (with the exception of Owain-Tudur-Jones after last weeks moment of madness!!!). We still have players such as Chris Hogg to come back but the important thing is the players who have played in the first two games have done well. Aaran Doran is looking great and if he can keep his performances up, he will be an asset to the squad. Terry Butcher has also changed the style of play this season which is a breathe of fresh air. We are enjoyable to watch again. However, I do not expect us to do well in every game. Last week we certainly didn’t play well in the second half. However, the passing play was there without the need for a hoof. With Captain Richie Foran back for the Hearts game (and presumably replacing the suspended OTJ) we will have that leadership spark in midfield that will help motivate the players against Hearts. It’s great to have Richie back but in saying that, we played well enough against St Mirren without him. But from a happy clapper perspective, imagine how well we will play with him back in the starting line up!!! I am hopeful anyway. Despite the financial difficulties within the SPL and the implications of Rangers going bust and a new team representing the city of Glasgow entering the 3rd Division, I don’t think the Caley Thistle community has ever been so united. The Supporters Trust and Supporters Club coming together to create Caley Jags Together looks to be a success. The new Juanjo Away Supporters Group is small in numbers but it’s an exciting new project that I am delighted to be involved with. The Couriers ‘All Together Now’ campaign is helping to get more publicity for the club. It’s a shame we can’t get more people from Inverness to come along to watch the games. I’m sure if they came along to Tynecastle on Saturday they would see a great game. Unfortunately, far too many are interested in supporting teams that represent different citys. Each to their own though. However, with free offered at last weeks game and £6 entry to the Gorgie Suite this Saturday for Caley Jags Together, you cannot fault the club and fans involved with the club for trying. Back to the match itself and I think it will be very easy to the team again. Obviously OTJ is out. He will be a miss for sure. But, I’d imagine Richie will take his place and assume the role of Captain again. After that, there may not be much need to change the team too much. Many of the CTO posters would like to see Nick Ross start and maybe Terry is thinking this also. However, my guess at Butcher's line up would be the same as last week with Richie instead of OTJ. Caley Thistles last trip to Tynecastle resulted in a 2-1 defeat with Ross Tokely getting an equaliser just after half time before the Jambos went 2-1 up. It’s a game that we played well but our defence were caught out far too often. We have had a reasonable amount of success at Gorgie through the years. One of the more recent occasions was the 1-1 draw on 4th December 2010. We were plucky that day. Hearts battered our goal in the second half but the defence was solid and we hung on for the draw. In fact, we could have won that game as Russell Duncan missed a one on one chance in front of goal in the last minute. But that draw was a big result for Caley Thistle as it meant we were then 13 months unbeaten away from home but also with no more away games that month, a whole calendar year unbeaten away from home. It was twenty-ten with Terry and Mo! After the great atmosphere generated by the fans at Paisley on the first game of the season, it would be great to generate the same, if not better atmosphere at Tynecastle. Judging by remarks from certain players, it would appear that they were very appreciative of the support at the St Mirren game. We may be small in numbers, but we can still make a noise. Lets roar on the team to 3 points. Caley Jags Together, Juanjo Away, All together now, Caley Away with Terry and Mo! CapitalCaleys prediction:- If we keep the ball on the deck and play like we did against Coventry, St Mirren and the first 20 minutes of Kilmarnock then we could actually win this game. It will be difficult though. Hearts should contend for the 2nd spot and could even push Celtic all the way. However, we have Foran back and on our day we can beat anyone. We are playing good football, there is an increased team morale, there is a feel good factor with (most of) the fans and if we give the team our backing, we have a great chance. If we do win though, it will be at a slim margin. Hearts have winger David Templeton out for this one which will be a massive loss for them. I’m going to sit on the fence on this one. I could be a draw, or a slim victory for either team. All together now..........Caley Away with Terry and Mo! Latest Team News Inverness will welcome back captain Richie Foran after the skipper missed the first two games of the season due to suspension. He will slot straight into the side with Owain Tudur-Jones being suspended. Chris Hogg is still not back to full fitness yet. Other than that Butcher has a full squad to choose from. John McGlynn has a couple of missing players. Templeton is suspended and young keeper Mark Ridgers is out for at least three months with ligament damage sustained in the u21 international in midweek. Jamie Hammil is definitely out with a knee injury. Mehdi Taouil may not start as he is fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and a full ninety minutes may be too much for him. Peter Enckelman has signed a short term deal as the Jambo's goalkeeping crisis deepens. With Ridgers sidelined, regular keeper Jamie MacDonald may need some time off soon as his partner is expecting their first child anytime now and the big Finn may well find himself thrust into the action soon. Over the Bridge there is an interesting early kick off at 12:15 as Ross County entertain league champions Celtic and this will be an early indicator as to whether the new kids on the block will hack it in the SPL. So far so good for County with two draws, but no goals yet.

Killie take the high road. Kilmarnock make the long trek to Inverness this weekend for our first home game of the season, after both sides started the campaign with draws in their openers. Kenny Shiels was less than enthusiastic with the realisation that Killie will have to double their trips to the Highlands this season with the introduction of those over the bridge to the SPL. Boo hoo Kenny, it's the same distance from Inverness to Kilmarnock as it is from Kilmarnock to Inverness: Put up or shut up. Let's hope his pub crawl round Kilmarnock has gained them some more fans as they attempt to beat the football recession. Last week Inverness rang the changes as the season got underway and the team seem to have gelled a bit quicker than last seasons slow starters. A point from Paisley is not to be sniffed at as the Saints came from behind in time added on to snatch a draw at the death. 2-2 was the final score with Nick Ross and Billy McKay netting the Inverness goals, and Ross Draper being welcomed to the SPL by St Mirren's Lewis Guy who saw red for sending Draper onto the turf. Killie opened their season at Rugby Park against team 12, who turned out to be Dundee. It proceeded to be a pretty dour affair and Dundee were well worth their point in a no scoring draw. Killie may well suffer financially because of the demise of the Govan tax dodgers and new signings are more difficult to come by. So, what does the new season hold for Inverness? Plenty of changes to personnel and a mostly new squad for the fans to get to grips with. Esson will still be number one choice, but the back four are still getting to know one another. Last week we started with Raven - Warren - King and G Shinnie, with Meekings replacing Dave the Rave after an hour. That seemed to give us a more solid look and we took control of the game. Our midfield saw Ross Draper join more familiar names in Owain Tudur-Jones, Aaron Doran, Andy Shinnie and Shane Sutherland who was effectively replaced by Nick Ross. Billy McKay is being asked to play the lone striker role again and hopefully the ball might arrive at his feet more often as he is well capable of turning big defenders on the deck. With Richie Foran sitting out his suspension last weekend, then his added dig to midfield will be a boost for the squad, but not for another week. Saturdays visitors have added Jeroen Tesselaar to their squad in the close season. The Dutch full back signed on from St Mirren and made an impressive debut last weekend against Team 12. Another addition this term is Rory Boulding who scored 11 goals for Livingston last season. Young Mathew Kennedy also impressed on the wing and his trickery will give defenders problems. In Cammy Bell, Killie have one of the top Scottish keepers to give his defenders plenty of confidence, he always seems to perform well against us. Glorious Gary Harkins is one to watch. The former Partick and Dundee midfielder possesses the silky skills to link the midfield and strikers and his accuracy with the ball can be used to good effect at set pieces. Dean Shiels will be a big miss for Kille. The striker is now working down at Govan for The Rangers. Head to Head This fixture in Inverness has been kind to the homesters. In fourteen encounters in all competitions, the home side have the edge with 6 wins to 4, with 4 draws. We hold the upper hand in goals scored, 27-22 and have scored 3 goals on five occasions, although one of those was a 3-4 reverse in December 2006. Last season we secured 7 points from Killie with goals aplenty. The highlight for Inverness being a surprisingly stunning 3-6 win at Kilmarnock with Andy Shinnie scoring a hat-trick and recently departed Gregory Tade notching a brace. Hayes scored the other in what was Caley Thistles highest scoring SPL match ever. The games at Inverness ended with one home victory and one draw. Latest Team News Inverness boss Terry Butcher will not have the services of Captain Richie Foran this week as he serves the second of a two match ban carried over from last season. Chris Hogg is still in rehab after last seasons serious knee damage but will be nearing fitness in a few weeks. The pain in Spain falls mainly on Antonio Reguero's finger as he has suffered a suspected broken finger. That brings young keeper Scott Mathieson into the squad, one of seven who have come through the ranks at Inverness. Other than that, Inverness have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game, and that makes a huge change from last seasons crisis. Kilmarnock are expected to be on similar lines to last weeks opening game against Dundee. Paul Heffernan missed that one through injury after breaking his collar bone during training on Tuesday and faces up to three months on the sidelines. Gary Hay is requiring an operation and will be unavailable for a couple of months. Cameron Bell, Michael Nelson, Jeroen Tesselaar, Ryan O'Leary, James Fowler, Manuel Pascali, Lee Johnson (Danny Racchi, 66), James Dayton (Rory Boulding, 66), Matthew Kennedy (Rory McKenzie, 78), Gary Harkins, Liam Kelly tm4tj Prediction Difficult to judge how things will pan out this early in the season, but by all accounts we have started brightly and if we can sort out the defensive lapses then I can see a continuation of our recent domination in this fixture and that could see us with our sixth win in the last eight against Killie. A narrow win for the home side for me.

Nearly Inverness almost got off to a flying start in Paisley as the 2012-13 season got underway after all the legal wrangling during the close season. Unfortunately, St Mirren equalised with a goal in time added on which meant a share of the points on day one; not the worst start we have ever had. The once mighty Glasgow Rangers have fallen foul of the rules and regulations and find themselves plying their trade in the third division under a new name, The Rangers, with Dundee pipping Dunfemline to fill the gap left by the death of an institution. But, that is another story with plenty of mileage left in it and I will let that one run it's course as the new season has taken over the thoughts of the rest of us, and with Ross County added to the mix then there will be plenty of interest to keep us occupied. Terry Butcher had once more wielded the axe with the last of the local hero's leaving the club in Ross Tokely. So, a new era begins for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and a much changed side took to the park on Greenhill Road in their first competitive match of the season. Ryan Esson is one constant in the side but the rest was anyones guess as they faced a changed St Mirren at a stadium Inverness had never been beaten. Richie Foran was missing as he sat out a one match ban. Lewis Guy was Saint and sinner for the Buddies, scoring the opener, but getting sent off in the aftermath of the injury time leveller as Inverness newbie Ross Draper was left on the turf after McGregor scored. In between these two goals, Nick Ross had flicked home an equaliser and Billy McKay had put the visitors in front, a lead they could not build on, despite some bright work from McKay, with Andrew Shinnie warming to the task as well. Guy had been the prominent St Mirren player trying his luck a few times and Dougie Imrie was always a threat. Big Sam Parkin was not far away with a couple of headers and got even closer as injury time loomed. His rasping shot saw a diving Ryan Esson turn the ball round the post for a corner. It was from the resultant corner that Inverness eventually lost the lead. Graeme Shinnie made a hash of trying to clear the ball and when it was fired into the box, Esson missed it at the front post and McGregor rose to guide the ball home. Overall a few positives for Inverness. Billy McKay looked lively and has started the season with a goal and Andy Shinnie is on the way back after last seasons injury woes. Aaron Doran could be the new Jonny Hayes and Ross Draper may well be the muscle required at the back of the midfield. A point apiece and a good day out for the Caley Away fans, the Alamo providing the shouting juice and the meeting place for the newly formed group. Full-Time: St Mirren 2-2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle St Mirren: Samson, van Zanten, McGregor, Mair, Barron, Imrie (Reilly 87), McLean, Teale (Robertson 80), McGowan, Parkin, Guy. Subs Not Used: Kelly, McGinn, Smith, Adam (GK). Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Esson, Raven (Meekings 64), G. Shinnie, Warren, King, Tudur-Jones, Draper, A. Shinnie (Polworth 87), McKay, Doran, Sutherland (Ross 67). Subs Not Used: Morrison, Laing, Oswell, Mathieson (GK). Referee: Steven McLean. Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson. Assistant Referee: Ross Haswell. 4th Official: Kevin Graham. Attendance: 4,104 Shorter than usual match report due to increased workload, but we hope to catch up starting with Killie at home next Saturday.