Caley Thistle manager John Robertson is refusing to get carried away despite the Scottish FA’s decision to hold a fresh appeal over James Keatings’ Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup final ban.
Keatings’ suspension for next month’s final against Raith Rovers was triggered by a second yellow card shown by referee Greg Aitken for simulation in the semi final victory over Rangers colts on February 16, despite video footage clearly showing contact from opposing midfielder Ciaran Dickson.
Although Aitken’s decision was originally upheld by a three-person panel last Wednesday following Inverness’ appeal against the yellow card, the Scottish FA have since ruled that outcome cannot be considered valid after revealing one member of the panel “did not undertake their obligations with respect to the consideration of all the available evidence.”
The new tribunal, which has yet to be set, has prompted fresh hope Keatings will be available to feature in the final, which will be held at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, March 28.
Robertson says Inverness are still awaiting further clarity from the Scottish FA, and he said: “It’s not a boost as yet. All we’ve got is a statement – the same statement as they put out generally.
“We’ve not heard anything in writing from them, other than they’re going to revisit the case.
“Until we’ve got that, there’s absolutely nothing we can say because we actually don’t know.
“Hopefully, going forward, it is re-heard and the proper and just decision is come to.
“We’ve seen the reaction to the previous decision. For now, all we can do is wait and see what officially comes in writing to us.
“It’s a not a victory because, at this moment in time, James Keatings is still suspended.”
Inverness resume their Championship campaign with tonight’s trip to Dunfermline, with the opportunity to move three points clear in second place after Dundee pulled level on points with a 1-0 win over Queen of the South on Saturday.
Robertson is eager to secure a first league win since January 4, adding: “It is vital for every team now. There is only something like 12 points separating us and the bottom two.
“If you win three or four games, you’re in the play-off at the top, if you lose three or four you’re in the play-off at the bottom.
“We have to just concentrate on ourselves. We’ve not won a league games since Dundee in early January, so we need to start picking up three points and get ourselves further up the ladder in terms of points, as opposed to positions.”
Caley Jags have triumphed on both occasions they have met the Pars this term, with Robertson hoping to continue that trend at East End Park.
He added: “They’ve all been tight. There’s rarely been much in it.
“We’ve been strong defensively against them, but they have a few changes since we last played them in December, when we had a good victory at home.”
