Inverness CT 2 - 2 Dundee

League Match
Saturday, February 4th, 2017, 3:00 PM at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
Attendance: 2,606
Referee: Nick Walsh
Inverness CT  Dundee

Goalscorers
Billy Mckay (pen.) (53)
Greg Tansey (79)
Marcus Haber (37)
Darren O-Dea (43)

Team Managers
Richie Foran Paul Hartley

Starting Eleven
Ryan Esson
Gary Warren
David Raven
Carl Tremarco
Jamie McCart
Iain Vigurs
Greg Tansey
Ross Draper
Billy Mckay
Billy King
Henri Anier
Scott Bain
Julen Etxabeguren
Kevin Gomis
Darren O-Dea
Kevin Holt
Cameron Kerr
Mark O-Hara
Paul McGowan
Henrik Ojamaa
Tom Hateley
Marcus Haber

Substitutes
Owain Fon Williams
Brad Mckay
Liam Polworth
Jake Mulraney
Larnell Cole
Scott Boden
Dean Ebbe
David Mitchell
Marc Klok
James Vincent
Danny Williams
Nick Ross
Faissal El Bakhtaoui
Craig Wighton

Substitutions
Jake Mulraney for Billy King (85)
Liam Polworth for Iain Vigurs (86)
Marc Klok -> Tom Hateley (84)
Faissal El Bakhtaoui -> Henrik Ojamaa (86)

Bookings
Billy Mckay (58)
Carl Tremarco (75)
Darren O-Dea (48)
Julen Etxabeguren (52)
Paul McGowan (63)

Red Cards
None. None.
Appearances & Goals To Date
Ryan Esson (GK) 182 apps -
Carl Tremarco 103 apps8 goals
Jamie McCart 1 app (debut) -
David Raven 153 apps4 goals
Gary Warren 180 apps14 goals
Iain Vigurs 90 apps16 goals
Ross Draper 188 apps16 goals
Greg Tansey 176 apps28 goals
Billy King 23 apps3 goals
Henri Anier 4 apps -
Billy Mckay 143 apps63 goals
Jake Mulraney (sub) 23 apps -
Liam Polworth (sub) 101 apps10 goals

Starting Lineup
Youngest Player:Jamie McCart (19 years 234 days)
Oldest Player:Greg Tansey (2018 years 191 days)
Average Player Age:29 years 260 days
Domestic Players:6 (54.55 % of starting eleven)

Matchday Squad
Youngest Player:Jamie McCart (19 years 234 days)
Oldest Player:Greg Tansey (2018 years 191 days)
Average Player Age:27 years 324 days
Domestic Players:11 (61.11 % of matchday squad)

First Team Debuts
Jamie McCart(Signed June 14th, 2018)

Milestones

Bottlers battle back:

Richie Foran branded his team bottlers after the crushing defeat at Hamilton in midweek but they fought back from the brink to get a deserved draw against Dundee. The Dee were cruising at the break two goals to the good when Inverness showed some of the bottle that manager Richie Foran was looking for despite passing up on a second penalty opportunity.

Marcus Haber and Darren O'Dea had given Dundee a scarcely deserved lead at the interval but Billy Mckay notched his first goal on his return from the spot. Unfortunately he failed with a second penalty effort but was involved in the equaliser when Bain blocked his attempt only for Greg Tansey to follow up and knock the ball home. A lively encounter with both sides having plenty chances but at the end of play it was a point each.

Under fire manager Richie Foran made a few changes after his side slumped badly at Hamilton. Dropping to the bench were Welsh international Owain Fon Williams who has been culpable over the last couple of months, defender Brad Mckay and midfielders Liam Polworth and Larnell Cole. Ryan Esson made his first start of the season and David Raven was the right back. New recruit Jamie McCart from Celtic started alongside Gary Warren at the heart of the defence and Billy King returned to the wide midfield. Billy Mckay made a welcome return to Inverness two years after his departure and he was partnered up front by Henri Anier.

Dundee came North with a trio of former Inverness players but they all stayed on the bench with Henrik Ojamaa making his debut for the Dee. Kevin Holt and Darren O'Dea returned after suspension to bolster Paul Hartley's squad.

The Inverness side were smarting after being branded bottlers in midweek and there was a freshness about them as they started briskly. Carl Tremarco was unlucky in the sixth minute as he turned a cross onto the junction of post and bar with his head after a cross from the left.

Dundee were not idle though and Marcus Haber was making a nuisance of himself with his power as he headed wide and Paul McGowan, Mark O'hara and Tom Hately all shot wide in quick succession as the Dark Blues came more into the game before Henri Anier tested Scott Bain in goal. Esson did likewise from McGowan at the other end.

It was a lively affair and Greg Tansey drew a save from Bain as Inverness looked to get on the scoresheet, but in the 37th minute the visitors took the lead when Haber headed home a cross from Cameron Kerr. A bit harsh on Inverness, but worse was to follow.

Two minutes before the break our defensive frailties were exposed again when O'Dea headed in number two. That hurt given our bright opening to the game.

Just before the break Gary Warren headed just wide as our winless run looked set to continue.

Half Time 0-2

Harsh words must have been spoken at the break and Iain Vigurs hit a post with a free kick five minutes in and Bain made another save from Vigurs moments later.

Julen Etxabeguren was adjudged to have fouled Billy Mckay after a corner and it was Mckay himself who took the kick. Never the greatest penalty taker, Billy had the balls to take this one and he managed to put the ball down the middle with Bain stretching out a leg in vain, the ball just missing his studs on it's way into the net. Lifeline!

McGowan should have restored the two goal advantage but shot wide from a tremendous position inside the box and Ojamaa almost nicked one from close range but David Raven popped up on the line to scoop clear. Dundee were hitting well on the break and looked dangerous when sweeping forward.

Inverness were still having the bulk of the play and Etxabeguren tried his best to help out again, conceding another penalty. This brought about a fit of rage from McGowan who could not believe his stupidity. Undaunted, Billy felt he could cope with a second one and stepped up again. Strange, considering he was not the sharpest of penalty takers first time round and this time Bain came out on top saving his weak effort.

Ross Draper saw a shot and follow up header saved as we turned the screw and showed plenty of determination to overcome adversity. Our persistence paid off when a Billy Mckay shot was saved well by Bain, but the ball fell to Tansey on the edge of the box and he buried the ball with precision and power. Game on!

The final ten minutes were played out without further scoring, both sides fairly content with holding on to what they had, and that's not a criticism, it was for the best after what had gone on before.

Full Time 2-2

Richie looked for a reaction and he got one. We still conceded goals, but instead of crumbling, we came out fighting and a draw was no more than we deserved, so full marks to the guys for not capitulating like they did at Hamilton and at least giving it a go.

MotM is a toss up between a pair of Billy's. Mckay and King did well and look as though they could build a good understanding. As opposed to some weeks, it was encouraging to see more than one player stand out and there were interesting cameo's all over the park. We are still vulnerable at the back, but that is also understandable with the enforced changes and new players slotting in. Jamie McCart will only get better with games. An altogether much more positive outlook than there was after the Hamilton abyss. Only downside was that we failed to gain ground on the others at the bottom, although the signs are there that we are not relegated yet.

Match report written by tm4tj



None.

Pld W D L F A +/- Pts
1. Celtic 23 22 1 0 60 14 46 67
2. Aberdeen 23 13 4 6 40 20 20 43
3. Rangers 24 12 7 5 32 26 6 43
4. Hearts 24 10 7 7 45 31 14 37
5. St. Johnstone 23 9 7 7 29 25 4 34
6. Motherwell 23 6 6 11 27 39 -12 24
7. Ross County 24 5 9 10 27 42 -15 24
8. Kilmarnock 23 5 9 9 20 38 -18 24
9. Partick Thistle 24 5 8 11 24 32 -8 23
10. Dundee 23 6 5 12 23 33 -10 23
11. Hamilton Academical 24 3 12 9 25 35 -10 21
12. Inverness CT 24 3 9 12 28 45 -17 18