Four takeaways from Inverness Caley Thistle's Scottish Cup quarter final win over Kilmarnock
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle are going to Hampden after booking their place in the Scottish Cup semi finals.
The Caley Jags had to come from behind after Kyle Vassell opened the scoring for quarter final opponents Kilmarnock just three minutes into the match at the Caledonian Stadium.
However, ICT came back strongly, and were good value for their 2–1 win with goals from Billy Mckay and Sean Welsh sealing their progress.
With a final four clash at the national stadium to look forward to next month, here are four takeaways from Caley Thistle's performance including reaction from head coach Billy Dodds and midfielder Roddy MacGregor.
Strength in depth
Even before kick off, one thing that stood out to me was the Caley Thistle teamsheet.
For the first time I could remember this season, there were no teenagers in the Inverness squad – a sign of how many players have returned to fitness in recent weeks.
A quick search (and I could well have missed one along the way) suggests the last time ICT could say that was the trip to Partick Thistle back in August, and on that occasion they only named six substitutes.
I know fans may have tired of hearing about how many players Billy Dodds was unable to call upon, but the fact that they have just about all come back for the run in is nothing other than a good thing.
It will allow for more rotation, more competition for places and maybe even a bit more tactical flexibility with more options at their disposal.
Dodds has said for months that once everybody came back, we would see what his side were really made of. If Friday night is anything to go by, it could still be a fun end to the campaign for Inverness fans.
Head coach Billy Dodds' thoughts: “In terms of the league, that’s self-explanatory. Any company losing half its workforce, like happened to us, believe me, you’ll struggle.
“At times, you need to realise that. When you look from the outside in, you realise it’s been tough. But we are still in there with a wee shout.
“It’s going to be hard, but we’re capable of giving it a go. Friday’s result will do us no harm at all."
A young throwback
The match against Kilmarnock was, I believe, the first time I'd had the chance to see Jay Henderson in action for Caley Thistle since he signed on loan from St Mirren, and I was suitably impressed.
He missed one golden opportunity to find the net in the first half when he really should have done better, but what stood out to me was his delivery when crossing the ball.
Personally, I always like to see what would now be considered an old-fashioned winger – someone who will take on his man out wide and put a good ball into the middle for a teammate to attack.
Henderson did that on several occasions against Kilmarnock, and on another day he would easily have created another couple of goals for the Caley Jags.
The 21-year-old seems to have caught the imagination since making the move up to the Highland capital, and on first impressions I can certainly see why.
Billy Dodds' thoughts: “I am not going to individualise anyone, because we needed a team performance on Friday.
“We got the balance of a brilliant midfield, we were solid at the back, our wide players were a threat and Billy Mckay worked his socks off.
"My goalkeeper Mark Ridgers was solid, then my subs came on and did what they had to do. That’s a team effort, not individuals."
Taking the game to higher tier opposition
It was said before the match that Caley Thistle could not fear Premiership outfit Killie, but in reality that still seems to be a scenario in which ICT shines.
Being the underdog suits them, and while it will be considered an upset that they won based on league positions, it was a well deserved victory based on the balance of play.
Statistics can sometimes be deceiving, but for a long time it was Inverness who dominated the shot counter and had the better territory and possession.
Yes, Kilmarnock are struggling in the Premiership and their record away from home is abysmal, but this is still a team that won the Championship last season and have been competing in the top flight all campaign long.
For Inverness to take that challenge on and win the game on merit, then, should do them the world of good as far as confidence goes from now on.
Roddy MacGregor's thoughts: "We played Kilmarnock a good amount last season, and they've got a very similar squad, so we knew it was going to be a tough game and it was.
"I thought it was fairly even, and the boys were different class. We matched them really well, and we probably deserved the win in the end, so we're delighted.
"We've played against Premiership teams in the last two cup games and won, and we've got quite a good record against top flight sides. It's a big confidence booster for the boys, so hopefully we can use that to pick up form in the league a wee bit as well."
Hampden-bound – eventually
The headline from last night is worth repeating: Inverness Caledonian Thistle are going back to Hampden.
It will be their first trip to the national stadium since 2019, when they lost to Hearts 3–0 at the semi final stage of this same competition, and it is their fifth semi final in the last two decades – a record only matched or beaten by the biggest clubs in the country.
There will rightfully be a buzz around the Highland capital as a result, but there is still six weeks to go before the semi finals actually take place.
In that time, Inverness will be completing the regular Championship season, so they have to use the momentum they have now built up into those matches, and see if they can keep their season going into May with a run deep into the play-offs.
Watch Roddy MacGregor's thoughts:
