Caley Jags second best at Pittodrie
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Shane Sutherland came closest to scoring for Caley Thistle at Aberdeen with a 20-yard shot.
CALEY Thistle will need a huge improvement from Saturday’s display in Aberdeen if they are to halt Celtic’s SPL title bid on Wednesday night in Inverness.
ICT boss Terry Butcher let rip at his players after their 1-0 defeat at Pittodrie. They came out second best against a Dons team who finally secured their club’s safety thanks to sub Peter Pawlett’s winner 15 minutes from time.
St Johnstone’s surprise 2-1 victory at Hibs keeps Caley Thistle four points ahead of the chasing pack with the Celtic game in hand. Neil Lennon’s Hoops are just one point behind Rangers, with a superior goal difference, and are on the hunt for the midweek win to make them red-hot favourites for the championship.
Ross Tokely and Stuart Duff returned from suspension for the Highlanders, but they missed the influence of captain Richie Foran, who was banned for this and the Celtic matches.
Ryan Esson was handed the skipper’s armband and Alex MacDonald was given a start in the absence of Foran.
With major clear-outs widely tipped this summer at both of these clubs, many players were competing for their futures.
Russell Duncan, a club legend for 10 years at Caley Thistle, is being released at the end of the month – and there are more seniors who await news from Butcher.
Aberdeen though were the better team in this Granite City encounter and Nigerian international Sone Aluko forced an early diving save from Esson.
Zander Diamond then flashed a header wide of goal before he was nearly made to pay at the other end.
A bad bounce of the ball put him under pressure and Republic of Ireland striker Adam Rooney failed to take advantage of the situation to the relief of the 6,000 home supporters.
The Inverness CT defence was caught napping on 25 minutes and on-loan Blackburn Rovers forward Nick Blackman glanced a header wide after Michael Paton sent in a tempting cross.
Chris Maguire then broke free for the Dons in their best attack of the first half, but his shot finished wide of Esson’s goal. Kenny Gillet was booked for a challenge on Maguire as the midfielder made his way to goal.
Caley Thistle were hoping to build on last Monday’s 3-0 stroll at St Johnstone, but it was Aberdeen who continued to control the game in the second half.
Derek Young, who was given the captaincy by Dons manager Craig Brown, after being told he is free to leave the club sent young Ryan Jack on the run, but his shot was blocked by Esson then Tokely was on hand to clear the danger.
The visitors’ best chance - and there were very few – was when Shane Sutherland powered his way into the box and drew a fine save from Jamie Langfield.
Then, on 75 minutes, sub Pawlett, who had replaced Paton, went sent through by Maguire and his powerful shot beat Esson to seal the victory for the hosts.
Aberdeen: Langfield, Diamond, Vujadinovic, Smith, Aluko (Robertson 88), Young, Jack, Milsom, Maguire, Paton (Pawlett 66), Blackman (Magennis 66). Subs not used: Howard (GK), Anderson, Low, Brown.
Inverness CT: Esson, Tokely, Munro, Gillet, Duff, Cox, Ross, MacDonald (Odhiambo 63), Rooney, Sutherland (Duncan 76), Doran. Subs not used: Tuffey (GK), Golabek, Innes, Morrison.
Referee: George Salmond.
Attendance: 6,280.
* Caley Thistle fans are reminded that’s Wednesday’s showdown with Celtic at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium kicks off at 6pm.
The match is all-ticket and some tickets are available to calling into the stadium as soon as possible, or by calling 01463 227451.
