Match Preview | Inverness C.T.
Inverness C.T. versus MORTON
Saturday 6 October 2018
Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton make the long journey north to take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle tomorrow with the objective of rebounding from last Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Ayr United at Cappielow.
Manager Jonatan Johansson, Charlie Telfer and Michael Tidser admitted the heavy home defeat was a source of embarrassment, and everyone has redoubled their efforts in training this week in order to put things right.
The Highlanders, however, present a formidable hurdle. They are unbeaten in the Ladbrokes Championship thus far this term – the only club yet to suffer a reverse – and sit third in the table, three points off the top.
They’ve also kept five clean sheets in seven league fixtures, and that miserly defensive form is something the Ton rearguard will aspire to as they look to shut out their hosts and pick up a positive result on matchday eight.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Team News
Long-term absentee Robert Thomson misses the trip to Inverness, as does Connor Bell, who suffered a setback in his bid to recover from an ankle injury. Chris Millar, Denny Johnstone, and Michael Tidser are touch and go.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
1 – Reece Lyon made his first league appearance for the club against Ayr United last weekend.
2 – Morton are unbeaten on their last two visits to the Caledonian Stadium.
4 – Morton have gone four matches since their last victory.
6 – Michael Tidser is Ton’s top scorer this term, with six goals in 10 starts.
6 – Tidser is also Ton’s top creator with six direct assists.
21 – Reece Lyon last week became the first player born in the 21st century to feature for the first team at Cappielow.
225 – Chris Millar will make his 225th appearance for the club should he feature.
Current Connections
Striker Connor Bell spent last season with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, scoring seven goals in 35 appearances in all competitions.
Head to Head
Sat 19 Aug 2017: Inverness C.T. 1-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 23 Dec 2017: Morton 1-0 Inverness C.T. (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 24 Feb 2018: Inverness C.T. 0-2 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 28 Apr 2018: Morton 0-3 Inverness C.T. (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton brought down the curtain on the 2017/18 Ladbrokes Championship campaign with a flat 3-0 loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Cappielown back in April.
Nathan Austin added to George Oakley’s first-half double as the Highland outfit inflicted a defeat that saw the Ton finish seventh in the table.
Much more than it being an end to a solitary season, the weekend proved to be the end of an era with late former chairman Douglas Rae OBE stepping down to be replaced by son Crawford.
Manager Jim Duffy and assistant Craig McPherson also departed while longest-seving player Thomas O’Ware made it clear he would be leaving for pastures new via an interview in the national press.
Officials
Referee: Craig Thomson
Assistant one: Douglas Ross
Assistant two: Ross Macleod
Fan File
Admission is by ticket only, which can be purchased at the ticket office at the front of the main stand, and prices are:
Adults: £20
Concession*: £10
Under-16: £6
*Over 65 and 16 to 25 year olds.
Morton fans will be situated in the South Stand and enter via turnstiles 7 to 8.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle is a family club and expects fans to behave reasonably. Searching may take place prior to entry and unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated with offenders liable to ejection of arrest.
Anyone consuming alcohol to excess will be refused entry. Increased searching will take place due to the current terrorist threat level.
Smoking including e-cigarettes are not permitted anywhere inside the stadium.
The Sports Bar at the stadium welcomes away fans.
Disabled Access
Wheelchair user pays entry to stadium with carer goingfree. Tickets are purchased at ticket office and entry is via south stand, turnstile 7.
Travel
By Road: Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Station Road, Inverness, IV1 1FF
A8/M8 – M80 – M9 – A9 to Inverness. Take third right at Longman roundabout on A9 and follow road to stadium car park.
Note – The roundabout to Stadium Road on the A9 at Kessock Bridge is traffic-light controlled and may cause long queues on approach.
Please leave sufficient time for your journey and check www.trafficscotland.org for up-to-date information on roadworks and incidents.
Parking
Car parking: On street car parking. Restrictions will be in place. Drivers should find areas away from the stadium to park legally.
Coach parking: Parking available in Neish Street.
Car parking – South car park at a charge of £3. Note – parking on Stadium Road opposite the ground is not permitted as there are double yellow lines and will be enforced.
Coaches – South car park and this is free.
Travel Club Info
- The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 10am sharp. Costs are £17 for adults and £15 for concessions (U-16/OAP).
- The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus leaves the club at 9am and will park in Inverness town centre for a while before driving to the stadium. Visitors costs are £18 for everyone.
Image: Gary Bradley
