Inverness look to keep their winning run going as they host Dunfermline at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. This is a massively important game in our season, with our visitors occupying a play-off position but are just five points ahead of us having played one game more. ICTFC boss John Robertson described this game as a “cup final” due to the significance of it.

ICTFC beat Dumbarton 1-0 in their last outing thanks to a second-half strike from Iain Vigurs.

The Coach

Scott Kellacher

Kellacher said in the build-up: “It’s the biggest game of our season so far, since the cup final we’ve hit a good run of form and the boys have a bit of belief again. We’ve rotated the squad a fair bit which helped to keep things fresh. We do realise the importance of Saturday but, as we’ve done with the past few games, we’re taking each game one at a time. The boys have got a good spirit going so we’ll look towards Saturday and see how we get on then worry about the next game after that.”

“We’ve done less training and focused more on gams because they come around that quick, it’s been good actually because we’ve just got on with having a game on Saturday then Tuesday. Luckily enough, we’ve got a strong squad which has come together over the season and we’ve been able to change it up so it’s worked in our favour so far.

“We’re just taking it each game at a time and that’s all we can do. Like the last game against Dumbarton, we knew how big a game that was and the boys are looking at every game like a cup final. It’s quite good to have something to play for, because we could be a position where we’re out of contention, but we’ve got something to aim for even though it’s going to be a big ask.

“It’s a must-win, Dunfermline have hit a good run of form as well so it’s two sides in good form. Dunfermline will know if they win or draw then that will be them in the play-offs. It’s a massive game, hopefully it’s a big crowd and the fans turn out and they’ll bring a good few down, too.”

The Opponent

Dunfermline

The Pars currently occupy the final play-off position as they are five points ahead of the Caley Jags having played a game more. Only the champions, St Mirren, have scored more goals in the Championship than Dunfermline with 54 goals to their name and nobody has conceded fewer goals than them either. Nicky Clark is the danger man with 13 league goals to his name so far and with 20 in all competitions. Dunfermline are also currently enjoying a great run of form with them winning their last four and unbeaten in their last eight matches.

Team News

Iain Vigurs is suspended for the next two matches.

Head-to-head: ICTFC Wins: 12   Draws: 14    Dunfermline Wins: 7

Carl Tremarco had the following to say going into the game: “It’s most definitely the biggest game of our season so far. If you look at the bigger picture, and what it could do for the club, not just wining that game but the potential outcome of it, hence the play-offs and going up, it’s probably the biggest game since the Scottish Cup final.

“We’ll embrace that and enjoy it. We had another big game this season in the IRN-BRU Cup final so we’ll be used to the hype surrounding this game.”

Last Meeting: Dunfermline 1-0 ICTFC (13/03/18)

James Craigen’s free-kick after just six minutes was enough for all three points for the Pars in a tight encounter in the last game between the sides.

Form Guide

Inverness CT:            Dunfermline:

W Dumbarton (A) 1-0         W Brechin (H) 4-0

W Dumbarton (H) 5-1        W Falkirk (A) 2-1

W Falkirk (H) 1-0         W Livingston (H) 1-0

W QoS (A) 2-0             W QoS (H) 3-1

W Brechin (H) 4-0         D Dundee Utd (A) 1-1

D St Mirren (H) 2-2         W Brechin (A) 3-0

Last Line-Ups

ICTFC (V Dumbarton): Ridgers, Mckay, Warren (Seedorf 25), Donaldson, Calder, Chalmers, Vigurs, Polworth, Doran (Tremarco 67), Austin (Bell 88), Oakley.

Dunfermline (V Brechin): Robinson, Williamson, Martin, Mvoto, Ashcroft, Craigen, Vincent (Cardle 74), Aird, Higginbotham, McManus (Ryan 53), Clark (Armstrong 71)