Preview Inverness CT

Caley Thistle are only seven points above Dunfermline so this is a really important match if the Highlanders are not to extend the gap between them and the bottom of the table.

Student Concessions
Matriculation Card or Job Seekers Allowance Book must be produced.

Christmas might well have been cancelled  for the Pars players but three points on Saturday would give us all something to celebrate even before Santa`s filled his sleigh. Being the North Pole`s nearest SPL club let`s hope Caley are not to be favoured because the plump old bearded gent who diligently prepares those fantastic reindeers for their big day, might well have three points that are destined for the Pars to bag.

They certainly would be very welcome three points since the Pars have yet to slay Inverness Caley Thistle in the SPL.  After a 100% record at East End against the Northerners in the First Division three draws and two defeats have been the outcome of matches in the SPL.  Last time Caley came to East End Park the 1-0 defeat in the last game of the 2005-06 season, cost Dunfermline three places in the league and a fair whack of income.

Dunfermline last defeated Inverness Caley at East End Park back in December 1999 and that includes a CIS Insurance Cup tie played there on 9th October 2001.  That night Jimmy Calderwood`s Pars side went out on penalties despite a 63rd minute Steven Hampshire equaliser getting the Pars back on track at 1-1. 

Inverness have failed to win in their eight games since defeating Falkirk at home on 21st October.  Their last away win was at Ibrox though!

Caley Thistle are only seven points above Dunfermline so this is a really important match if the Highlanders are not to extend the gap between them and the bottom of the table.  Steve Kenny points out that there are still 19 matches to play in this SPL season but lose this one it makes life difficult.

DUNFERMLINE Last time out v St Mirren:  Dorus de Vries; Greg Shields (c), Phil McGuire, Scott Wilson, Darren Young; Greg Ross, Stephen Simmons, Gary Mason, Scott Muirhead; Mark Burchill (Jim Hamilton 45+2), Stevie Crawford
SUBS NOT USED: Roddy McKenzie (GK), Owen Morrison, Calum Woods, Iain Williamson, Aaron Labonte, Freddie Daquin

INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE Last time out v Kilmarnock: Mark Brown; Ross Tokely (Graham Bayne 74), Darren Dods, Grant Munro, Richard Hastings (Stuart McCaffrey 46); Barry Wilson (Zander Sutherland 66), Ian Black, John Rankin, Roy McBain, Craig Dargo, Dennis Wyness.
SUBS NOT USED: Mark Brown, Alan Morgan,  Russell Duncan, Rory McAllister

Referee will be William Collum for his fifth SPL match. The whistler`s first taste of the top flight was the Pars 0-0 at the Falkirk Stadium at the end of last season. He officiated over ICT`s 4-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park on 9th September. The 27-year-old Secondary School teacher also was in charge of the UEFA Cup tie between Domzale and Hapoel Tel Aviv in Slovenia.

Come on ye Pars!