Inverness Caley v Saints Preview

Last updated : 26 September 2003 By Stuart Gillespie
The one place a Saints manager does not want to be going when they are under pressure is Inverness. Saints have managed just one win and one draw from 6 league games there, and have been beaten in various cup competitions three times. It's not uncommon for Caley to hammer three or more past us, either home or away. in three of the five meetings last season they put four past us, and the other two games saw them win 3-1. It doesn't look good.

The Saints midfield looks like it will be a problem tomorrow, with John O'Neill and Simon Lappin still injured, whilst Mark Crilly is suspended. Forward/midfielder Brian McGinty is also injured, so Ricky Gillies and Hugh Murray are guaranteed to start, despite Murray only playing his first full game of the season last week. Kevin Twaddle and Robert Dunn may also start, or Paul McKnight could be put into a midfield role. Allan Russell will probably continue up front, but whether he is partnerd by Barry Lavety or Eddie Annand will be interesting to see. Both are unfit, but Lavety has a bit of match fitness. In defence, everyone apart from Mark Dempsie should be fit to play, whilst David Jack is still out.

Even when Saints are doing well we struggle in Inverness, as was shown by the fact we only managed a point from our four games there in our championship winning season. Things have not been helped over the past two seasons by former Saints trialist paul Ritchie's determination to prove us wrong not to sign him, and he has managed two hat tricks against us as well as a single here and there.

To say I don't see us winning is an understatement. I think a hammering is on the cards, especially if we play like we did last week. i predict 4-0 for Caley.