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Hearts end our season Our season looked over inside ten minutes after Mackay-Steven ran at the defence before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner as the defenders backed off. McEneff doubled the lead with the aid of a deflection in the ninth minute to nestle the ball in the bottom corner again. Mackay-Steven notched his second as he poked his leg in between Deas and Ridgers to kill the game with half an hour gone. The second half was an anti-climax for both sides with no further scoring, and with results elsewhere our challenge has come to an end. ____________________________ After the disappointing draw with Dundee in midweek, our destiny was in the hands of others. All we can do is gather points and hope that others can lend a helping hand by taking points of Dunfermline and Dundee as we visit Tynecastle to take on Champions Hearts. All games kick-off at 3:00pm on Saturday, it's a massive day of football in the Championship. Scott Allardice was cleared to play in this one but Brad Mckay was suspended after the disciplinary committee met on Friday to decide the outcome of the red cards against Dundee. In came Cameron Harper at left back with Miles Storey starting. Roddy MacGregor and Shane Sutherland would be the impact players on the bench. Jamie Walker was not involved at Cappielow and Raith bound Cristophe Berra was also missing. Young defender Harry Cochrane has not signed a new contract and none of them would feature against Inverness. Neilson has twelve players out of contract this summer. Mackay-Steven came back into the side with Naismith and Henderson on the bench. ___________________________ A sunny Tynecastle was echoing with the disturbed sound of silence as The Caley Jags clapped the Champions onto the park as this covid restricted game kicked off with no fans in attendance. Scott Allardice had a shot deflected for a corner in the first minute and from the resultant cut back corner Scott Allan almost opened the scoring, his shot just clearing the bar. Ridgers gathered a header from Gnaduillet but moments later Mackay-Steven was allowed to run at the defence unchallenged before drilling a superb low shot behind Ridgers. The lead was doubled when a slight deflection took the ball out of the keepers reach and right in the bottom corner, McEneff the one with the strike. Gnaduillet almost got on the end of a great Haring cross to the back post as Hearts continued to dominate midway through the half, the ball getting knocked out for a goal kick as Ridgers and his defence closed him down. Game over with half an hour gone when Deas and Ridgers got in a fankle and Mackay-Steven prodded the ball into the net as the keeper came to collect and Deas tried to usher. Nightmare half hour from the Caley Jags! Ridgers saved from McEneff as Hearts threatened to run riot and the same two were involved before the interval as Hearts cigared it. Half Time: 3-0 Roddy MacGregor replaced Scott Allardice at the break and Toddy forced Craig Gordon into a save as he shot from wide right, the keeper saving without spilling. Despite a spirited second half showing especially from young substitute Arran Lyall the visitors failed to get a foothold in the game with Hearts looking more likely to add to their tally. A tidy twisting run forward by Scott Allan ended with a stabbed shot which Gordon gathered comfortably with around ten minutes left. Full Time: 3-0 In truth, we huffed and puffed while Hearts went through the motions without inflicting any further damage. So a late run on the stand side ended at Tynecastle as we fell short of reaching our target of a play off slot. Them's the breaks and it was a familiar scenario of too little too late. On the plus side, there's only one more preview and report to go... From BBC Sport Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: "Delighted, delighted. It's been a tough season for everyone. I'm delighted for the players. "I thought we were great. I'm really pleased with the performance. The game really suited Gary. It was a bit more open and expansive and you see the real Gary Mackay-Steven." Inverness CT interim manager Neil McCann: "We were much better in the second half. That's to be expected because we were so unlike ourselves. I lost my cool. Frustration boiled over. I shouldn't have done that. "Sore one. I feel really sorry for everybody connected to the club. We've just come up short." Date: 24/04/2021 Venue: Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh Attendance: 0000 Referee: Bobby Madden Hearts: 3 Manager: Robbie Neilson Lineup: Gordon; Smith, Souttar, Haring (Irving 40), McEneff, Logan, Halkett, Halliday, Gnanduillet (Naismith 65), Mackay-Steven (Pollock 80) Boyce Subs (not used): Stewart; Popescu, McGill, Henderson Scorers: Mackay-Steven (6), McEneff (9) Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Manager: Neil McCann (temporary) Lineup: Ridgers; Carson, Deas, Devine, Harper, D Mackay, Welsh, Allardice (MacGregor 45), Allan, Storey (Sutherland 73) Todorov (Lyall 56) Subs (not used): C Mackay; Duffy, McHattie, Vincent Scorers: none Booked: Carson (19), Welsh (57) Sent Off: none a

Out of our hands After the disappointing draw with Dundee in midweek, our destiny is in the hands of others. All we can do is gather points and hope that others can lend a helping hand by taking points of Dunfermline and Dundee as we visit Tynecastle to take on Champions Hearts. All games kick-off at 3:00pm on Saturday, it's a massive day of football in the Championship. We remained unbeaten on league business against Dundee on Tuesday night but it wasn't the result we were looking for. A 1-1 draw hands the control to Dunfermline who can now only throw away their play-off place. It all kicked off in the second half against McPake's illustrious squad. Unfortunately two red cards for Scott Allardice and Brad Mckay swung the game heavily in favour of the Dee. Incredibly we took the lead with six minutes to go when Dan Mackay brilliantly scored his eighth goal of the campaign. Alas, two minutes later Lee Ashcroft made the most of our missing players as he headed almost unchallenged into the net following a corner from Charlie Adams. That's how it ended, us with nine men and a point apiece. OFFICIAL PREVIEW STREAMING INFO RED CARDS The table looks like this ahead of Saturday's fixtures with Inverness one point below a play-off place. It has to be said that the Pars have the more comfortable conclusion to their season, but Arbroath could spring a surprise. Should Dundee also fail to win their remaining games, they could also be caught. Remaining fixtures for 3rd & 4th play-off place. Hearts v Inverness CT ---- Dunfermline v Arbroath ---- Dundee v Raith Rovers Inverness CT v Ayr United ---- Alloa v Dunfermline ---- Queen of the South v Dundee Pld W D L F A +/- Pts 1. Hearts 25 15 6 4 56 24 32 51 2. Raith Rovers 25 12 7 6 44 30 14 43 3. Dundee 25 10 9 6 45 39 6 39 4. Dunfermline 25 9 9 7 34 30 4 36 5. Inverness CT 25 8 11 6 34 26 8 35 6. Queen of the South 25 9 4 12 38 49 -11 31 7. Arbroath 25 7 8 10 25 30 -5 29 8. Ayr United 25 6 9 10 29 35 -6 27 9. Morton 25 6 9 10 21 32 -11 27 10. Alloa Athletic 25 4 6 15 28 59 -31 18 Last 10 Competitive Meetings with Hearts. Peer through your fingers only... 1 - 1 (H) 1 - 2 (A) 0 - 1 (A) 0 - 3 (N) 0 - 5 (A) 1 - 1 (A) 3 - 3 (H) 1 - 5 (A) 0 - 0 (H) 0 - 2 (A) Venue (all competitions) Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 18 4 10 4 16 17 -1 Away 21 5 4 12 23 37 -14 Neutral 3 0 2 1 3 6 -3 Total 42 9 16 17 42 60 -18 As expected, Hearts have cruised to the title. Despite this, many Jambos are still bemoaning the fact that Robbie Neilson is in charge. Some folk are just never happy Their last outing was a 0-0 draw at Cappielow where we won easily recently. Prior to that they thumped relegated Alloa 6-0. Our problem is we don't know which Hearts will turn up on the day they get their Championship trophy, maybe they will be demob happy. Neil talking ahead of the trip to Tynecastle ***Latest Team News*** Neil McCann is appealing the two red cards received in the Dundee game. The problem with this is we won't know the outcome until the night before the game which is unsettling for his squad preparation for what is now the biggest game of the season. So, we could well be without Brad Mckay and Scott Allardice. Cammy Harper will come in at left back with maybe James Vincent in the holding midfield role. ***NEWS JUST IN: SCOTT ALLARDICE is free to play but Brad Mckay will serve his ban after a meeting of the disciplinary committee in Glasgow today. Robbie Neilson has plenty talent to choose from. Jamie Walker was not involved at Cappielow and Raith bound Cristophe Berra was also missing. Young defender Harry Cochrane has not signed a new contract and it's unlikely that any of them will feature against Inverness. Neilson has twelve players out of contract this summer. Robbie Neilson has plenty talent to choose from. Jamie Walker was not involved at Cappielow and Raith bound Cristophe Berra was also missing. Young defender Harry Cochrane has not signed a new contract and it's unlikely that any of them will feature against Inverness. Neilson has twelve players out of contract this summer.

All but over In a game with so much at stake it was a tentative opening forty five where neither keeper was over exerted on a fiery pitch. Mackay and Sutherland both had efforts saved by Legzdins, but in truth little else happened with defences on top and it remained goalless at the interval. In a crazy spell after the break, Scott Allardice and Brad Mckay were sent off but nine man Inverness took the lead through Daniel Mackay. Unfortunately, Lee Ashcroft equalised minutes later. It had been backs to the wall since we went down to nine men and time ran out with the game ending all square. Not the result we were looking for, but defiant to the end as Dundee's winless streak in Inverness continues on League business. ---------------------------------------------------- With games running out, points were now precious. A win for Inverness would put us back above Dunfermline and only one point behind Dundee. A win for Dundee would all but end our promotion aspirations. A draw would be of little use to us and not much help to Dundee either in their pursuit of second place. Bottom line, both sides are in desperate need of the three points. Inverness are undefeated in their last six Championship games and Dundee are undefeated in their last five Championship games. Something was going to give. Neil McCann started with Shane Sutherland up front with Nikolay Todorov and Miles Storey on the bench. James McPake was without Jordan Marshall from the side that drew with Dunfermline, Cammy Kerr deputising and Jason Cummings and Charlie Adams were on the bench. Paul McGowan was out injured. ---------------------------------------------------- A beautiful night for a game of football as the sides entered the pitch and it was Dundee that set the ball rolling. First effort of note came in the fifth minute as Mullen hooked the ball slowly over the bar after a long throw in found him near the front post. Dan Mackay latched onto a long goal kick from Mark Ridgers but the angle was tight as he cut in from the left and the keeper made the first save of the game, pushing the ball behind for a fruitless corner. Mullen had a shot deflected for a corner from a long throw and the Caley Jags went up the other end with Todorov netting from an offside position. Almost the opener for Inverness but a close range effort from Sutherland was blocked away near the goalline by Legzdins. With half an hour gone, neither side was able to break down the opposition defence and chances were at a premium. Ten minutes before the break Danny Devine headed a yard wide from a deep corner. Play was becoming disjointed and scrappy but a great ball forward set Mackay free on the left as he won a corner. It came to nothing and it was level at the break Half Time: 0-0 Charlie Adams entered the fray at the interval with Afolabi going off. The visitors started with more urgency after the interval and we resorted to hoofing the ball anywhere, and generally the way we were facing. A super run down the right wing saw David Carson whip a ball across the box but it was just too high for Toddy. Scott Allan threaded the ball of the night to Deas running into the left side of the box and a fraction of a second delay in pulling the trigger allowed Legzdins to pull off a great save. Confusion when the linesman flagged Dundee offside and Ridgers made a tremendous save. However play continued and the save was crucial. Minutes later Allardice was sent off for a crunching tackle in midfield. Wtf. We gained a pass-back free kick inside the Dundee box but Todorov's effort was blocked and cleared. I suppose it made it worth the keepers deliberate foul to stop Toddy from getting to the ball for the sake of an indirect free kick on the right side of the box. Meh! Miles Storey and Roddy MacGregor came on for the final twenty minutes. Jason Cummings picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and forced Ridgers into making a good save as Dundee looked to take advantage of the extra man. The extra man became two when Brad Mckay was left short and had had to lunge in. Red card and down to nine men. It looked worse when Cummings headed into the net but after much debate and celebration in the Dark Blue ranks the 'goal' was ruled out for offside presumably. Unbelievably we went ahead when birthday boy Daniel Mackay brought down a lobbed ball forward from Welsh before clipping the ball neatly behind the keeper to score. Scenes! Another great goal from the young forward, his eighth of the season. Unfortunately it didn't last long though as Lee Ashcroft headed home from a corner to square matters two minutes later and despite some desperate defending at times that's how it ended. Full Time 1-1 Oh well, the run for promotion has all but ended with two games remaining. It's well out of our own hands now and we will need a massive helping hand from the Smokies and the Wasps if we are to sneak into the top four. Going down to nine men scuppered our chances big time but credit to the lads for fighting to the end and getting a draw. Albeit not enough, it still means that Dundee have not won a League game in Inverness. Pld W D L F A +/- Pts 1. Hearts 25 15 6 4 56 24 32 51 2. Raith Rovers 25 12 7 6 44 30 14 43 3. Dundee 25 10 9 6 45 39 6 39 4. Dunfermline 25 9 9 7 34 30 4 36 5. Inverness CT 25 8 11 6 34 26 8 35 Here's Neil post match Date: 20/04/2021 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 0000 Referee: Mike Roncone Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Neil McCann (temporary) Lineup: Ridgers; Carson, B Mckay, Devine, Deas, D Mackay, Welsh, Allardice, Allan (MacGregor 69), Sutherland (Storey 69), Todorov (Harper 83) Subs (not used): C Mackay; McHattie, Vincent, Lyall Scorers: D Mackay (84) Booked: Allardice (25) Sent Off: Allardice (64), B Mckay (79) Dundee FC: 1 Manager: James McPake Lineup: Legzdins, Kerr, Fontaine, McGhee, Mullen Cummings (65), Byrne (Anderson 76), Ashcroft, McDaid, Elliot, McMullan, Afolabi (Adams 45) Subs (not used): Ferrie; Fisher, Jakubiak, Sow Scorers: Ashcroft (86) Booked: Elliot (55) Sent Off: none a

DEE DAY. There's no going back now, Dee Day is upon us and it's virtually win or bust as Dundee visit the Caledonian Stadium at 7:00pm on Tuesday evening for a crunch game. With Dunfermline picking up more crucial points since their thrashing at Raith they now have two very winnable games coming up over Arbroath and Alloa whilst we face Dundee, arguably the best squad of individuals in the Championship, followed by the best team in promoted Hearts away, then a tough final game against relegation threatened Ayr United. Of course, three wins for Inverness will suffice for a play off place, but that's a monumental task given our opponents. Streaming Info Official Preview We missed out on a second Premiership scalp in the Scottish Cup at the start of the weekend going down to a very late goal from Marcus Fraser that took the gloss of a superb team performance as we went toe to toe with St Mitten in a highly entertaining tussle. Nikolay Todorov scored his eleventh of the season but Kristian Dennis levelled immediately to keep the game on a knife edge right up until the 90th minute when Fraser tapped in the winner. Ach well, it was a fun distraction while it lasted but the main course will be served when Dundee visit. Toddy: 6th goal in last five games Whilst we were on Cup duty, Dunfermline leapfrogged us into fourth place with a 3-1 win over Queen of the South. They are now in prime position for the play offs but it is still in our own hands at the moment, although looking more likely that we will need to win all of our remaining games to do this. That leaves the table looking like this ahead of Tuesday night's games: Inverness CT v Dundee, Morton v Hearts SPFL Championship League Table Pld W D L F A +/- Pts 1. Hearts 24 15 5 4 56 24 32 50 2. Raith Rovers 25 12 7 6 44 30 14 43 3. Dundee 24 10 8 6 44 38 6 38 4. Dunfermline 25 9 9 7 34 30 4 36 5. Inverness CT 24 8 10 6 33 25 8 34 6. Queen of the South 25 9 4 12 38 49 -11 31 7. Arbroath 25 7 8 10 25 30 -5 29 8. Ayr United 25 6 9 10 29 35 -6 27 9. Morton 24 6 8 10 21 32 -11 26 10. Alloa Athletic 25 4 6 15 28 59 -31 18 Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Dundee ------ Dundee last six League games -> DDWWWL 1 - 2 (A) 2 - 2 (H) 2 - 0 (A) 1 - 0 (H) 0 - 0 (A) 0 - 1 (A) 0 - 1 (H) 2 - 2 (A) 2 - 0 (A) 2 - 2 (H) Of the two games played this season, the first ended in a 2-2 draw in the Highlands in front of a covid restricted crowd of 300 on 12th December. Dee grabbed a late point after a pulsating game at the Caledonian Stadium ended all square. Liam Fontaine opened the scoring just before the interval reacting quickest to a rebound from the crossbar. Robbie Deas deservedly equalised with twenty minutes left and James Keatings put the hosts ahead three minutes later only for Jordan McGhee to peg us back again eight minutes from the end. The return fixture at Dens Park resulted in a 2-1 victory for the hosts. It was too little too late and Dundee manager Jake McPake looked to have tightened his shoogely peg as first half goals from Max Anderson and Jason Cummings put Dundee in at the break two up. Inverness were out of sorts in a poor first forty-five. Nikolay Todorov pulled a goal back with fifteen minutes left heading home a Cammy Harper cross. Inverness mounted a mini-comeback but fell just short as Dundee held on for all three points. We have a decent record in the Highlands against Dundee, the only loss being a Scottish Cup replay in 2018 after a 2-2 draw at Dens Park. However, this is a different beast now and it's points that make prizes. With Dunfermline gathering points, it's still all in the balance. Venue (All competitions) Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 15 7 7 1 26 14 +12 Away 19 6 8 5 25 23 +2 Neutral 2 0 0 2 2 4 -2 Total 36 13 15 8 53 41 +12 ***Latest Team News*** James Keatings and birthday boy Wallace Duffy missed the visit to Paisley. I wonder if we have seen the last of the departing Keatings or is his injury prone career going to travel with him. Under fire McPake seems to have managed to resurrect his managerial career and has turned a mediocre season into a possible promotion one. Dundee have probably the best squad of individuals and McPake is slowly getting the best out of them at the right time. Cummings, Sow, McMullan, Adams, are all quality players who can hurt you. McMullan in particular has been a thorn in our side over the last couple of seasons, and all can score goals. Defender Jordon Forstor has left the club. Left back Jordan Marshall will miss out through injury and this game could also come too soon for Paul McGowan and Max Anderson. Cammy Kerr will likely continue to cover at left back.

Saints go marching on Inverness took the game to their Premiership opponents from the off and there were plenty of opportunities for both sides, but Jak Alnwick was the busier keeper with Ridgers also making a couple of good saves. Scott Allan saw a shot brilliantly tipped onto the outside of the post after a great run by Carson and Dennis had an effort deflected onto Ridgers's crossbar near the interval. Just after the break Nikolay Todorov volleyed in the opener from a deep corner but Kristian Dennis replied two minutes later with a strike from the edge of the box. We were heading for extra time when Marcus Fraser popped up almost on the line to stab home after Jon Obika had hit the post. When the ball came back in from the left Fraser was on hand to tap in. Sutherland, twice almost rescued the tie but was unfortunate with both attempts. Great effort from Inverness and good luck to St Mirren in the next round. The last time these clubs met in the Scottish Cup Inverness beat St Mirren 4-0 after a replay in the Highlands. That turned out to be a good year for the Caley Jags as we went on to beat Falkirk in the final in May 2015. St Mirren have upped their game since then and now ply their trade in the Premiership since 2018 and are well entrenched there. We now find ourselves in the Championship but it's the Scottish Cup. Anything can happen; can't it? Jim Goodwin was banned from the dugout for this game and was without the services of Eamonn Brophy, Ryan Flynn and Colin Quaner. Jon Obika was fit enough to start up front with the dangerous Kristian Dennis and top scorer Jamie McGrath. Neil McCann kept his side under wraps until inside the final hour before revealing all, with James Keatings and Wallace Duffy out but Sean Welsh back in the starting XI with Roddy MacGregor returning to the bench. A beautiful evening in Paisley met the sides as they entered the park with Inverness once more in the pink and a minutes silence was observed for the Duke before Inverness kicked off at the SMISA Stadium. Daniel Mackay appeared to fresh air a lay off in the box from a great position, an opportunity lost as Inverness opened well in the first five minutes. An audacious acrobatic effort from the tricky Durmus went well over the bar from around the penalty spot in the seventh minute. Jamie McGrath picked up a loose ball out of defence but shot wide and at the other end Jak Alnwick had to block a shot from Mackay at the expense of a corner and a second great save followed from the same player as Inverness buzzed around the Buddies box. Ridgers made a super save from Dennis as he entered the left side of the box as the game opened out. Sean Welsh wasted a well won free kick from the left side of the box, firing the ball two yards over the bar as we approached the twenty minute mark. Durmus shot just over as he cut in from the left side, his shot from the edge of the box rising just over. Kristian Dennis had an effort deflected just wide off Brad Mckay for a corner with Ridgers at full stretch covering his post. After a tremendous break and cross down the left from Dan Mackay, Toddy did brilliantly to get a shot away on the turn under pressure but Alnwick produced a fantastic save low down to his right. A fabulous break from defence by David Carson saw Scott Allan get a shot on target but again Alnwick denied Inverness with another great diving save, the ball going for a corner via the post. Doyle-Hayes went off injured six minutes before the break with Richard Tait replacing him. Out of the blue a long ball by McCarthy found Dennis close to goal, he controlled it well but Carson blocked his shot onto the bar and Inverness cleared. Best moment for Saints in a first half mostly dominated by the visitors. Half Time: 0-0 Second half saw Saint's make a substitution before kick off with Macpherson on for McAllister, but it was Alnwick who was straight into action saving well when Dan Mackay volleyed from the edge of the box. From the deep corner, Inverness took the lead as Nikolay Todorov volleyed brilliantly high into the net. St Mirren responded immediately when Kristian Dennis shot home from the edge of the box after McGrath layed the ball off for another excellent goal. Jon Obika unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box but Ridgers did superbly to beat the ball away as the follow up was flagged offside. Saints were pressing forward and Durmus rattled Ridgers' bar with a wonderful dipping shot from distance. A chip back across goal was tipped behind for a corner by Alnwick as Inverness responded to the hosts pressure. Storey set Robbie Deas up with a defence splitting pass but Deas rolled it across the face of goal when a shot might have paid dividends. Minutes later Allardice set Allan through on the right and his low shot whistled narrowly past the keepers far post. Fifteen minutes left and it had been a highly entertaining Cup tie. Deas almost broke the offside trap as he gathered a superb ball from Danny Devine but the flag halted him. Ridgers was fortunate when a long ball into the box was headed onto the base of the post by Durmus and neatly bounced back into the keepers hands. A let off for the visitors. From a cleared corner, Allardice lofted the ball back towards the goal but it went over the bar and Toddy left the field to be replaced by Shane Sutherland. Well well, it was fun while it lasted, but with two minutes to go St Mirren went ahead after Obika hit the post, when the ball came back in Marcus Fraser knocked it in from two yards. Sutherland had a shot blocked as we responded again but time was running out. Sutherland again turned in the box and was a whisker wide in stoppage time but that was the last chance and Saints progress. Full Time: 2-1 What a great cup tie and the visitors can feel aggrieved not to have gone to extra time, but them's the breaks. Jack Alnwick was probably MotM but all in pink can be proud of their contribution tonight in what turned out to be one of the most entertaining games of the season. Back to League duty on Tuesday night as we face Dundee. More match reaction to come... Date: 16/04/2021 Venue: St Mirren Park, Paisley Attendance: 0000 Referee: John Beaton St Mirren: 2 Manager: Jim Goodwin Lineup: Alnwick; Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Connolly, McGrath, Doyle-Hayes (Tait 41) McAllister (Macpherson 45),Durmus, Dennis (Mason 75), Obika Subs (not used): Lyness; Finlayson, Reid, Henderson, Erwin Scorers: Dennis (50) Fraser (89) Booked: Dennis (53) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Neil McCann (temporary) Lineup: Ridgers; Carson, B Mckay, Devine, Deas, D Mackay, Welsh (Lyall 90+1), Allardice, Storey, Allan, Todorov (Sutherland 87) Subs (not used): C Mackay; McHattie, Harper, Vincent, Doran, MacGregor Scorers: Todorov (48) Booked: Deas (90+1) Sent Off: none a