Match preview: Inverness Caledonian Thistle kick off 2020/21 season on the road for Betfred Cup group match at Hearts
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A return to Hearts is first up for John Robertson as his Inverness Caledonian Thistle side get the new season up and running in the Betfred Cup group stage.
Caley Thistle have been tempering expectations in recent weeks, insisting that their first two matches in the competition will make up part of their pre-season preparations for the Championship campaign, beginning on Saturday, October 17.
However, no side enters a competition without the intention of doing well, and with the on-going pandemic a cup run could be a timely boost to the club's bank balance – and a result at Tynecastle tonight would be a massive step towards qualifying for the second round.
Team News
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Robertson will be taking a youthful squad down to Edinburgh as six of the more experienced members of his squad miss out through injury.
Danny Devine, Lewis Toshney, Kevin McHattie, David Carson, James Vincent and Aaron Doran have all remained in the Highlands, but James Keatings will most likely play after coming off against Elgin City on Saturday. Brad McKay is also in line to play after doubts he would make the start of the season, as he featured in ICT's last two friendlies against Clachnacuddin and Elgin.
In terms of senior new signings, Shane Sutherland could be in line to make his second debut for the club, while Robbie Deas, Scott Allardice and Wallace Duffy could pull on Caley Thistle colours for the first time.
Loan signing Kai Kennedy is unavailable as he is on international duty with the Scotland Under-19s squad for their double header against England this week.
Hearts: Michael Smith and former Ross County hitman Liam Boyce will both miss tonight's match as they are on international duty with Northern Ireland, with either Craig Wighton or Steven Naismith likely to lead the line instead.
Andy Halliday and Peter Haring are unlikely to be ready to play, although Ben Garuccio could return after sitting out a friendly against Partick Thistle last week.
Centre back pair Christophe Berra and John Souttar are long-term absentees for the Jambos and will play no part.
Craig Gordon is likely to make his second debut for Hearts, with Jordan Roberts, Elliott Frear, Mihai Popescu and Josh Ginnelly the other new faces at Tynecastle likely to feature –along with Scotland intenrational left back Stephen Kingsley, whose arrival at Tynecastle was confirmed this afternoon.
Pre-season form
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: drew 1–1 at home against Elgin City, won 2–0 away at Clachnacuddin, won 7–0 away at Nairn County, won 7–3 away at Elgin City.
Hearts: won 2–0 away at Partick Thistle, won 2–0 at home against Partick Thistle, won 3–0 against Falkirk at a neutral venue, won 5–0 at home against East Fife, lost 4–1 against Burnley at a neutral venue.
Head-to-head (all competitions)
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 9
Draws 15
Hearts 15
Last five meetings
Hearts 3–0 Hearts – Scottish Cup, Saturday, April 13, 2019
Hearts 5–0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle – League Cup, Sunday, July 29, 2018
Hearts 1–1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Premiership, Saturday, February 18, 2017
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3–3 Hearts – Premiership, Saturday, October 29, 2016
Hearts 5–1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Premiership, Saturday, August 20, 2016
Ones to watch
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Sean Welsh – Caley Thistle fans have seen just how much their side missed the former Partick Thistle and Falkirk midfielder in the last two seasons when he has been forced on to the sidelines through injury.
Now, in such a youthful side with new signings all around him on the park, Welsh's role as a leader could be even more pivotal to ICT's success.
His quality on the ball should shine against Championship opposition, and the prospect of him linking up regularly with James Keatings – something they were denied for the majority of last year – is a tantalising one.
The good news for Inverness fans is that the 30-year-old looked sharp in their most recent friendly against Elgin City, and if he hits the ground running in competitive action it will help lift the rest of his team from the first whistle too.
Hearts: Craig Halkett – the powerful centre back will be all the more important to the Jambos in the absence of Souttar and Berra, and will have to form a new partnership with both Popescue and Gordon quickly.
Hearts' backline could come under some scrutiny after shipping the second most goals in the top flight last season, leading to their relegation, but Halkett showed at Livingston that he is a quality player.
He could have an impact at both ends of the park too, as he is a threat at set-pieces with 22 goals in all competitions over the last three seasons.
ICT manager John Robertson's pre-match thoughts
"We’re undercooked in terms of matches and not up to full fitness, but we’re going to go down and be as competitive as possible and try to win the game.
“It signals the start of the new campaign. We’d like to qualify from the group, but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t.
“Win, lose or draw we will move on and use the Cowdenbeath game for more preparation next week ahead of being ready for Dunfermline on October 17."
