Jim McIntyre takes his team over the Kessock Bridge on Sunday for the first Highland derby of the season.
County go into the game on the back of their first league win of the season, while Caley Thistle are looking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Caley Thistle go into the game as favourites but, as we know, form goes out the window in derby matches and we are sure to see a fiercely contested 90 minutes at the Caledonian Stadium.
Caley Thistle team news
- Richie Foran is the only Caley Thistle player to miss the tie.
- James Vincent and Danny Devine have both recovered well and should be available for selection.
- Ross Draper goes into the derby one booking short of a suspension.
Ross County team news
- Scott Boyd is a doubt for the match as he continues to nurse a dead leg.
- Darren Barr is also doubtful as he recovers from a kick to the back of his knee which burst a cist.
Did you know?
- Billy McKay has scored six goals in the last eight matches between the teams.
- The last 10 games have averaged 2.9 goals.
- Aaron Doran goes into the match as Caley Thistle’s top scorer this season with three goals
- Liam Boyce and Jake Jervis lead the scoring charts for County with two goals apiece.
- Caley Thistle have won 50% of the last 20 Highland Derbies with 25% ending in County wins and the remaining 25% seeing the teams sharing the spoils.
John Hughes says
“No matter the dynamics of the game, if it’s a scrappy game and we win 1-0, that is important in a derby match.
“I have learned that through experience of playing in a lot of them.
“That gives the fans the bragging rights, so we know the importance of the match and what it means to the supporters.
“But we are playing against a Ross County side who will want to build on their win last week.
“So we are going to have to make sure that we are really disciplined, control our emotions, don’t get caught up in it and make sure the points stay here in Inverness on Sunday.”
Jim McIntyre says
“Ritchie Brittain, Rocco Quinn, Scott Boyd, and Mark Brown know what it’s all about. They will be letting the others know and that will be helpful. The players have been working their backside off to make sure we try to reverse the run of results we’ve had.
“Results will not have any bearing on it. Inverness have had a fabulous start to the season. John Hughes has got them playing the way he wants now, he’s put his stamp right on it.
“They’re a very good side and they’ve got dangerous players, but so have we. It’s up to us to take the confidence of Saturday and we will go there with a plan to win the match. They’ve probably got the more settled side, but form goes out the window in a derby. Anything can happen – I’ve played in enough to know that.”