Champions in Waiting:
The Rooney/Foran partnership does it again and pretty much wins the title in the process. Mathematically we cannot be overtaken on points, but we can be equalled by Dundee. However a goal difference of +30 means we are confident we can post this final word on today's game. C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N-E-E-E-S !!!
The unbelievable has almost happened. Sitting twelve points behind Dundee on Boxing Day with the same amount of games played, very few Inverness fans believed the title would be wrapped up with two games to go, in favour of ICT.
Eyjafjallajoekull
No, it’s not a new chant from section ‘G’, although it might have been at half time as the first half was a bit of a joke. Not even volcanic ash from Iceland was going to stop Butcher’s boys in the second half as they flew at the Pars from the whistle with a double whammy from the Dubliners. Early second half goals from Rooney and Foran settled the home side and as the fans erupted with news of a second Morton goal was it going to be enough to clinch the title? Not quite was the answer at the final whistle, but it’s almost done and dusted, well once the volcano settles down it will be.
The first good news for Inverness fans came just before kick off with the re-introduction of experienced midfielder Roy McBain. With Munro and Cox having to miss this game this was to be a crucial judgement by boss Butcher who also fitted Nauris Bulvitis into the back four. Eric Odhiambo also kept his place in the starting line up at the expense of Spaniard Dani Sanchez and this was another important decision.
The first half will mainly be remembered for two incidents, both favouring the Highlanders. Steven MacDougall had a goal chalked off for offside. In fairness to Willie Collum, the whistle had gone a couple of seconds before he rolled the ball beyond Esson. The second major talking point was a handball decision given against Nicky Phinn as he lifted the ball over Esson. A sublime finish, but for the hand ball given against him as he tried to control the ball before lobbing the keeper, which resulted in a yellow card for the Pars man, and a sigh of relief from the home fans. For all the possession Inverness were having we had few efforts of note in a drab first half and the Pars almost took advantage just before half time when Andy Dowie, on the stretch could only lift a Gibson cross high and wide at the back post.
HT 0-0…….cue ensuing chaos at the pie stalls.
We started the second half in the knowledge that Morton were ahead of Dundee and this seemed to encourage us to open out the play in search of an opener. A Hayes corner was met full on by Ross Tokely, but the keeper sprawled to block it on the line, the loose ball almost being turned in by Bulvitis. He seems to have a knack of scoring scrappy goals in skirmishes, a good trait to have. ICT were now in full throttle and breaking forward at will. Ten minutes into the second half and Adam Rooney scored what can only be describes as an Iain Stewartesque goal. A long ball floated through the middle from Rossco saw a now familiar event. Rooney out-muscled the defender and as he held him off he lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper from eighteen yards, one bounce and in.
Esson had to look smart to turn a vicious snap shot over the bar as the Pars came out of their half trying to get back into the game. No sooner had we settled down when Eric went on a diagonal run across the face of the Dunfermline defenders. Foran was overlapping perfectly and he never broke stride as he drilled Eric’s inch perfect pass through the keeper’s legs from ten yards to consolidate our lead.
Another eruption, this time from three quarters of the stadium as news filtered through that Dundee were two down to Morton made for a party atmosphere in the ground. The Pars did their best to dampen thing and again Esson had to react to block a close range effort with his legs after the visitors had taken a quick free kick. Save of the match came as Rooney let a ball drop over his shoulder and as it sat up nicely, he hit a venomous dipping volley which Smith did fantastically well to tip over the bar. That was goal of the season stuff had it hit the back of the net. Their was still time for Sanchez to spurn a great opportunity after a square ball left him alone at the edge of the box, but as he went to control the ball he was shut down by the defender and the chance was lost.
Full Time 2-0
Dundee spoiled a great second half by coming back to equalize against Morton but Airdrie put the icing on the cake with a late leveller against County. Still, I’m sure I heard a few corks popping on Saturday night.
A good win for Inverness against a team we have struggled to contain this season and seven wins in a row, now that is the mark of champions, along with this fantastic unbeaten run of nineteen games and the demise of Dundee, then the fat lady is surely about to sing.
MotM for me could have gone to any number of players in blue, but I am giving it to Roy McBain. He has had to wait for so long to get on the park and he showed today why Butcher put him into this crucial game. He may be reaching the veteran stage, but Roy was still full of running after ninety minutes and some of his passing and movement throughout the game were just fantastic. His energy today was vital and he never shirked a tackle. Take a bow Roy, great performance. Of course he was not alone, Bully did a marvellous job replacing Grant at the back and once again he almost scored from close in. Eric probably had his finest hour today, he really warmed to the task and his run and pass for the second goal was superb. Rooney is just a revelation this season. His upper strength seems to know no bounds and his ball retention is now first class. He took his goal like the master himself and that’s now 25 this season. Richie Foran is another who would die for the cause, and he should be league player of the season without any question. He gets everywhere and in the opponents faces all the time. Russell Duncan, without Cox this time has been brilliant the last couple of months and his distribution is now bang on. Hayes, although quieter still had his moments, what a crowd pleaser he is. Tokely put in a great shift as well and I have to say he is thriving at centre back. His Bobby Mann like fifty yard pass for the opener was perfection. Proctor and Golly were quieter but not down to their failings, that’s because we as a team kept the Pars at bay most of the time, and Esson played his part with excellent saves at important stages.
So, barring an eighteen goal turnaround, Inverness are all but champions as it stands. Great achievement from all at the club and after a sticky start to the season a wonderful come back and thoroughly deserved title……….almost, in fact we could win it without playing if Dundee fail to beat Raith on Wednesday.
Match report written by tm4tj
