Inverness Ct 1 Kilmarnock 1: Highlanders prove obstinate hosts to belie predictions

Sunday 12 August 2012

THERE are some misperceptions about Inverness Caledonian Thistle which endure.

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Chris Tait

It has been easy to assume that the club will spend this season toiling at the bottom of the SPL and perhaps even easier to get away with it – the Highlands are seen to be too far off for anyone to make a big fuss about it. And yet such an assertion seems a little disingenuous given their first two league outings this season. Two draws against St Mirren and Kilmarnock, clubs that also occupied the bottom six of the SPL last term, do not smack of a marked improvement but the indications have been more subtle.

Manager Terry Butcher has strengthened his side – literally, judging by the hulking frames of summer signings David Raven and Ross Draper – and that came in handy in an entertainingly frenetic match with Kilmarnock yesterday. But their physical prowess belies a considered style of football which was illuminated by the Highland sunshine. The sending-off of Owain Tudur Jones for a headbutt with 11 minutes left perhaps suggested it is not refined quite yet but their intentions are clear nonetheless. It was a neat exchange which led to Inverness' opening goal after just seven minutes when an Aaron Doran corner was flicked towards the back post by Draper for Andrew Shinnie to stab in. The lead was almost doubled five minutes later only for Shinnie's low, curling cross to spin away from Billy McKay. The Inverness striker drew his hands over his face but his disappointment was soon brought into context. Kilmarnock's Danny Racchi was felled inside the box by David Raven after 30 minutes only to then see his penalty saved by Ryan Esson, and the Inverness goalkeeper was alert to block James Dayton's follow-up.The disruption had started much earlier for Kilmarnock, though. Barely a minute had elapsed when Gary Harkins – reprising his role as the pivot of Kilmarnock's front three – walked gingerly off the pitch to be replaced by Racchi and that trident had been blunted further before the first half was over. Dayton was left prone on the turf following a robust challenge and his effort to soldier on resulted only in the winger being stretchered off holding his knee. "We are concerned to see our players getting injured," said Kenny Shiels, the Kilmarnock manager.Inverness defender Raven was also required to go off to stem bleeding from a head wound before half-time after another ardent challenge. And yet the hosts made their way back down the tunnel at the break somewhat concussed by a late counter from Kilmarnock. The first half was already well into its five minutes of stoppage time when James Fowler's deep cross was bundled over the line by Manuel Pascali.The goal seemed indicative of how Kilmarnock would need to attack. Already shy of a couple of senior strikers, the injury to Harkins left them bereft of an adroit, if languid, source of creativity up front. The timing of his injury gave Racchi – then Dayton's replacement Rory McKenzie – ample time to settle but Kilmarnock still lacked sharpness and were left to chisel away at the Inverness defence.Inverness did not fare much better in front of goal; Shane Sutherland nodding past a post. Jones then used his head for less productive means, erupting at a challenge from James Fowler and forcing his forehead into the Kilmarnock midfielder. It left the Highland side at a numerical disadvantage but it was Kilmarnock who were left praising their No 1 as the match reached its denouement. Substitute Nick Ross thundered a close-range header at goal but Cammy Bell obstinately blocked the ball on the line."Cammy Bell always plays well here, the bugger," said Butcher. "He's a pain in the neck, but what a keeper."

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Inverness Ct 1 Kilmarnock 1: Highlanders prove obstinate hosts to belie predictions

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