Match Preview: Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness C.T. versus MORTON
Saturday 24 February 2018
Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton will set off for Inverness now today’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture was thankfully given the go-ahead after the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium playing surface passed an 8.30am pitch inspection.
A postponement would have served as a real blow for a Ton team riding the crest of a wave that has seen them go six matches unbeaten.
Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Dumbarton at the YOUR Radio Stadium saw them record their fifth success in those half dozen outings to move four points clear of the competition in fourth place.
Although it was a short journey across the Clyde in midweek, the Greenock men are scheduled for a series of sojourns around the country with them in the midst of a run of seven away games in eight matches.
The lengthy trek to the Highland capital counts as the most taxing in terms of time on the road, with that pilgrimage made all the harder to take over the years having so often proved unfruitful in terms of points.
In fact, Morton have yet to register a victory over Caley Thistle in nine competitive visits since the Highland club’s inception and, more particularly, their first visit in 1999.
Despite finding themselves in seventh position in the table, John Robertson’s outfit are still a tough nut to crack on home turf having won four of their last six in East Longman, including an Irn-Bru Cup semi-final triumph.
The Sinclair Street side, though, have proven adept at securing positive results at awkward second-tier arenas this term – amongst them a 1-1 draw at today’s locale at the beginning of the season.
And with Livingston beating Dundee United last night, the aspiration will be to try and go one better – creating history in the process – by taking maximum points and moving above the Tangerines into third place.
Manager’s Thoughts
Team News
Lee Kilday, Jamie McGowan, Ross Forbes, Robert Thomson, Jai Quitongo, and Jack Iredale all remain sidelined, and Jim Duffy’s ranks were depleted further on Tuesday at Dumbarton.
Defender Luca Gasparotto suffered a rib injury that saw him attend hospital, and although the problem was not as serious as first feared, he is rated 50-50 to feature.
Goalkeeper Derek Gaston was unwell through the week and was only deemed fit enough to fill a place on the bench against the Sons, but he is expected to be available for selection today.
Current Connections
At this precise moment, there are no current connections. However, this will change in the early part of next week when striker John Baird completes an emergency loan, taking him from Caley to Cappielow.
Recent Meetings
Sat 5 Feb 2011: Inverness C.T. 5-1 Morton (Active Nation Scottish Cup, fifth round)
Sat 30 Nov 2013: Inverness C.T. 4-0 Morton (William Hill Scottish Cup, fourth round)
Sat 19 Aug 2017: Inverness C.T. 1-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 23 Dec 2018: Morton 1-0 Inverness C.T. (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
Morton gifted their supporters three points as an early Christmas present on 23 December last year after Gary Harkins’ first-half penalty saw them record a 1-0 win over Caley Thistle at Cappielow.
The victory was not only the Ton’s first over the Highland outfit for 17 years but pushed Jim Duffy’s side up to fourth and into the play-off places in the Ladbrokes Championship.
Harkins converted from the spot to net his fifth goal in seven matches, four of which had come from 12 yards, and score what is only the third goal Caley had conceded in 12 matches.
And on a day replete with significant statistics, Michael Tidser achieved a magnificent milestone by making his 200th appearance for the club over the course of his two spells after starting the encounter.
Officials
Referee: Steven Kirkland
Assistant one: Graeme Leslie
Assistant two: Ross Macleod
Supporters Notes
Admission prices are:
Adults: £20
Concessions (Over 65 and 16-25): £15
Under-16s: £10
Under-12s: £10
Morton supporters will be seated in the South Stand and enter via turnstile six. Wheelchair users pays entry with carer free and tickets are purchased at the ticket office.
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, is not permitted anywhere inside the stadium.
Travel
Travel by Road: Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Station Road, Inverness, IV1 1FF, for Sat Nav users.
A8/M8 – M80 – M9 – A9 to Inverness. Take third right at Longman roundabout on A9 and follow road to the stadium car park
Travel by Rail:
Greenock – Glasgow Central – Queen Street – Inverness. Stadium is a 20-minute walk from station into Longman Road through signposted industrial estate to stadium.
Parking
Official car park around the stadium is £3 for cars and free for coaches. Please note, parking on Stadium Road opposite the ground is not permitted as there are double yellow lines and this will be enforced.
Travel Club Info
The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus to Inverness for today’s match leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 10.30am sharp and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £17 for adults and £15 for concessions.
Thiey have a small number of seats remaining and you can still book a seay by leaving a message at https://www.facebook.com/AHMSC/ or texting 07517045005.
The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus to Inverness leaves the club at 9.30am with pick ups en-route. Costs are £20 for everyone.
If you would like a seat, text Martin on 07958080010. Alternatively, book seats through Facebook or Twitter or email: gmsctravel@gmail.com.
Image: Ross Cameron
