Inverness Caledonian Thistle started their Premier Sports Cup Campaign with three points thanks to first-half goals from Billy Mckay and Luis Longstaff, beating Elgin City 2-0.

Billy Mckay broke the deadlocked and scored the club’s first goal of the 2025/26 campaign with a finish from a tight angle and Luis Longstaff’s tap in at the back post from Matthew Strachan’s cross made it 2-0.

Scott Kellacher named his first starting eleven of the season, which was the same side which beat Banks O’ Dee 3-1 in last week’s friendly. New loan signing, Alfie Stewart came straight onto the bench following his announcement just prior to kick-off.

Caley Thistle started well and could’ve had the lead after just 11 minutes as Matthew Strachan’s great ball found Luis Longstaff in the box but his shot was wide of the post.

After 23 minutes, Paul Allan saw his shot cleared off the line from inside the box and the rebounded effort from David Wotherspoon was blocked on route to goal.

The visitors went close to opening the scoring, Jack MacIver’s effort from outside the box rattled the post.

Caley Thistle got the breakthrough after 35 minutes, a great diagonal ball from Luis Longstaff released David Wotherspoon and he went over in the box and the ball broke to Billy Mckay to finish from a tight angle.

The home side had their second just four minutes later, Calum MacLeod combined with Matthew Strachan from a throw in and the left-back’s cross was finished by Luis Longstaff in the box.

With less action in front of goal, Caley Thistle had to remain alert in the closing stages to see out the win. Ross Munro produced a fine stop to keep Lyall Booth’s effort out after 73 minutes. While moments later, striker Kane Hester burst through on goal but blasted his effort wide.

Caley Thistle went close to a third in the closing stages, substitutes Liam Sole and Jordan Alonge combined well, with the winger’s cross headed just over the bar by Alonge as he was deployed in a more advanced role.

Up next for the Caley Jags is St Johnstone at the Caledonian Stadium this Saturday

ICT: Munro, Millen (Thompson 83’), Devine, Savage, Strachan, MacLeod, Chalmers (Sole 67’), Allan, Wotherspoon (Stewart 72’), Longstaff, Mckay (Alonge 83’)


Elgin City: McHale, Virtanen, Murray, Hester (Gavin 77’), Gallagher (Hyde 60’), Sargent (McDonald 60’), O’Connor (Cameron 74’), Ewan, Ross (Booth 60’), MacIver, Draper

Attendance: 1296

Dogfalls Man of the Match: Calum MacLeod