After only being handed a Scottish Cup reprieve due to an administration error, Inverness now find themselves just one game away from Hampden after exhibiting a ruthless display of finishing to humble Livingston.
All the goals came after the break, with a stunning Billy McKay brace bookending a Sean Welsh header.
Caley were not even meant to be in the competition at this stage after being beaten by Queen’s Park in the fourth round. But after the Spiders were expelled for fielding the ineligible Euan Henderson, they seized their second chance in West Lothian to reach the quarter-finals.
They did it run style too, becoming the first non-Old Firm team since October 2020 to score three goals at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
They had to soak up spells of pressure and after providing adequate protection for goalkeeper Mark Ridgers, they were clinical when their chances came.
Billy Dodds’ side can now look forward to Monday’s last-eight draw.
Even before a ball was kicked, Livingston did not need to be reminded of the threat posed by Caley after being defeated 2-1 by Caley in League Cup group action back in July.
In fact, in his pre-game radio comments, Dodds made it clear that result was no fluke, insisting that they should have won by more.
Recent history was also on the visitors’ side, with Inverness having won four from an unbeaten five-game run of matches in West Lothian.
However, they came up against a Livingston team now firmly in contention for the European places in the Premiership.
It was therefore no surprise that Livingston looked the more likely of the two teams to open the scoring in what was an underwhelming opening 45 minutes bereft of clear-cut chances.
Caley goalkeeper Mark Ridgers was called into action after 11 minutes to palm a Steven Bradley free-kick behind for a corner. From the resulting set-play, Ayo Obileye lashed a back post shot wide from a tight angle.
Livingston were forced into a reshuffle moments later when Bruce Anderson went down in obvious discomfort, with Cristian Montano being summoned from the bench.
It was the Colombian who was involved in the home side’s next chance but after skipping away from David Carson, Montano dragged a left-footed effort wide from just inside the area.
Inverness were happy to cede possession and territory but made sure Livingston would have to work for any space in the final third with their disciplined defensive structure.
The first half ended goal-less despite Obileye’s attempts to spark some life into the contest.
Stephen Kelly’s free-kick into the box had Caley in a panic and the centre-back lashed a half-volley wide.
Lions manager Davie Martindale brought on Kurtius Guthrie for Bradley at the interval and that move looked promising for the hosts as they at least started moving the ball quicker in the final third.
However, in a rare foray into the opposition half, Inverness took the lead against the run of play in the 51st minute.
The manner of the goal was difficult for Martindale to accept.
Experienced striker McKay ran off the defenders to meet Jay Henderson’s ball over the top and directed a super half-volley into the top corner from 18 yards.
Still shocked at going behind, Livingston turned to the bench and brought on Andrew Shinnie and Dylan Bahamboula.
You would have expected Livingston to have heed their lesson from the first goal but Caley doubled their lead in a similar manner just after the hour mark.
This time the move looked to have fizzled out when Daniel Mackay’s touch let him down from a long pass but Nathan Shaw picked up the pieces and his cross was headed in by Welsh with the aid of the post.
Livingston pressed without really causing Inverness any great problems and they knew it wasn’t going to be their day when McKay added a third with ten minutes left.
With laser-like precision, the Northern Irishman angled a sublime shot into the top corner from just inside the area.
Caley goalkeeper Ridgers ensured the away team also left with a clean sheet after keeping out Obileye with an outstanding save from a Nicky Devlin corner.
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