With the first Highland derby of the Championship season around the corner, we take a look at 10 memorable encounters when Caley Thistle and Ross County locked horns
Ross County 4-0 Caley Thistle, April 28 2017
A night to forget for Caley Thistle as Liam Boyce ran riot in Dingwall. The Northern Ireland international scored all four goals as Ross County cruised to victory, leaving Inverness marooned at the bottom of the table.
Their evening was made worse by Liam Polworth being sent off and club legend Charlie Christie voiced his displeasure at the club’s fall from grace, after covering the game for BBC Scotland.
Ross County 0-3 Caley Thistle, March 19 2016
The Caley Jags famously spoiled Ross County’s League Cup parade with an emphatic victory over the bridge.
The damage was done in five first-half minutes, with Polworth and then Ross Draper finding the back of the County net to put John Hughes’ side in control. Miles Storey added a spectacular third for Inverness, although the Staggies did finish ahead of their neighbours in the Premiership for the first time.
Caley Thistle 1-2 Ross County, October 27 2015
Jim McIntyre got his first Highland derby victory as County pressed on towards the business end of the League Cup.
Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine gave the Staggies the lead four minutes before half-time and Michael Gardyne notched a second just after the break. Greg Tansey pulled one back 12 minutes before the end but it was not enough to stop County’s progress.
Ross County 0-3 Caley Thistle, February 25 2014
A rare goal from David Raven started off a comfortable evening for the Caley Jags as they gave John Hughes his first taste of derby success.
Raven slid in from two yards to turn in Aaron Doran’s cross before Billy Mckay doubled their advantage before the break. Marley Watkins made it three in the second half to leave County in trouble near the bottom of the Premiership.
Ross County 1-0 Caley Thistle, May 19 2013
With Caley Thistle chasing a historic first European qualification, Canadian Andre Hainault spoiled the party with his solitary first-half goal earning the Staggies the three points and denying Inverness their big day.
Visiting fans descended on Dingwall with beach balls expecting a party, leading to County boss Derek Adams saying after the game that “we’ve burst their beach ball so to speak.”
Ross County 3-3 Caley Thistle, December 1 2012
An unforgettable Scottish Cup tie saw three goals in the final five minutes and ensured the two rivals would have to face off again in Inverness.
Mckay’s opener was cancelled out by a long-range strike from Rocco Quinn but Richie Foran put the away side ahead again as he deflected in Mckay’s shot. Iain Vigurs looped a shot over Toni Reguero to level the scores on 86 minutes and Richard Brittain squeezed a free-kick in as stoppage-time loomed to seemingly give County passage to the next round.
However there was still time for Foran to save Caley Thistle’s skin, pouncing from close-range in added time to force a replay.
Caley Thistle 3-0 Ross County, March 30 2010
Inverness’ charge towards the First Division title was helped by an impressive 3-0 derby triumph.
Foran gave the home side the lead in controversial circumstances, with Alex Keddie sent off despite County disputing the foul, before Eric Odhiambo slotted in a second. Jonny Hayes extended the lead five minutes before the interval to secure the points.
Caley Thistle 3-3 Ross County, November 14 2003
An inspired comeback from the Staggies denied John Robertson’s side victory as they overhauled a three-goal deficit in the Highland capital.
David Bingham, Stevie Hislop and Barry Wilson all scored within the space of four minutes to put the home side into a seemingly unassailable lead. However, David Winters immediately pulled one back for County and Graham Bayne reduced the deficit further with 20 minutes to go. Steven McGarry emerged the hero in stoppage-time to snatch a draw.
Caley Thistle 3-3 Ross County, January 2 2001
The 3-3 scoreline is a popular one in Highland derby history and on this occasion it was the Caley Jags who staged a late fightback.
Paul Sheerin and Owen Coyle traded early goals but Steven Ferguson and Brian Irvine had County 3-1 up by half-time. The points looked to be heading back to Dingwall before Dennis Wyness’ late heroics, netting in the 89th and 90th minutes to earn Inverness a point.
Ross County 1-3 Caley Thistle, August 27 1994
The two clubs met for the first time as Scottish league members three games into the Third Division campaign.
Newly-formed Caley Thistle were victorious thanks to own goals from Sandy McLeod, Chris Somerville and a third from Wilson Robertson, with Andy MacLeod netting County’s only goal.
