Inverness CT Preview: Northern Exposure

By: Matt | October 17th, 2008

As the video I posted yesterday shows, Celtic have had to rely on late goals often up North. Celtic have won or tied late against Caley more times than I can remember. Which means that Celtic have kept it far too close for comfort in their travels up north. I think even Caley fans like Ian would agree on paper that Celtic outclass ICT in terms of player talent, but as they say you don’t play the game on a piece of paper. Perhaps a club like Caley gives Celtic so much trouble because it is Celtic. For smaller teams like ICT, the chance to get one over on Celtic or Rangers, the big boys of the SPL, is a tasty one. Theses clubs usually are not going to European competitions and do not often factor into the league title race unless it is playing the role of the spoiler. Besides their various derbies and rivals, these teams biggest games of the year are against the big Glasgow clubs (for Caley, there biggest rival Ross County is not even in the same division). This is the game that is a must attend, this is the game that the crazy kilt wearing haggis eating supporters are in extra voice for, and this is the game that the players are bringing a little extra for the 90 minutes.

Perhaps this is why trips to Caley are always so tough. For Celtic, it is just another game. Not to say that players do not play 100% every game (har har), but I don’t think anyone would argue that you bring a little extra for a derby or rivalry. One thing that Celtic has going for them is that the away support is usually a boisterous for the Caley game to match the output by the Caley fans.

Getting onto the actual game Saturday, Celtic will be without Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink who is out out a month after Jan Vennegooring his Hesselink (aka pulling his groin). Georgios Samaras, Scott McDonald, Shunsuke Nakamura, and Artur Boruc are all returning from international duty. All are expected to be able to play Saturday, including Boruc who played in Poland’s second World Cup qualifier, despite picking up an injury in the first qualifying game of the week. What might have set of some sirens for both Celtic and Poland supporters were the bad mistakes made by the Holy Goalie which led to the two goals given up by Poland.

Caley will be likely missing Andy Barrowman for the match after he strained a leg muscle this week during training. As Ian reported, Ian Black will be back for Caley this weekend after missing some time with a shoulder injury.

With some key players coming back from international duty, we could see a slow start to the match as players might be tired. Before the buzzkill that is the international break, Celtic were on a four goal high after a victory over Hamilton. Consider that momentum gone. Celtic’s attack should be able to control the ball, as I expect Caley to sit back and try and counter. The key to the game will be the Ian Black v whoever Gordon Strachan feels like putting in the middle of the field. If the Celtic midfield are able to stop any counter attacks before they get going, then Celtic’s Caley troubles could be a thing of the past. I would like to see Marc Crosas get the nod for the starting XI, as he has shown the ability to make good passes and control the game. I would think that Barry Robson would be a good partner for Crosas, as he is a good tackler for the middle, but he might have to play leftback again due to other injuries. I honestly think that Gordon Strachan has dice with all the midfielders names and rolss them to see who is playing that day.

History points to Saturday being a close game, and who am I to argue with history? The combination of Celtic seeming to have trouble at Caley and players coming off an international week is likely to mean a close game. I predict Celtic winning 2-1, with Caley scoring in the first half and Celtic scoring two in the last quarter of an hour by “Oh Ah” Samaras and Shaun Maloney.