Nairn County start defence of North of Scotland Cup against Inverness Caledonian Thistle tonight
ROSS Tokely needs no scouting dossier to plot Caley Thistle’s downfall tonight at Station Park.
Whoever is chosen in the opposition line-up, the Nairn County manager is sure to know the vast majority of them inside out.
Tokely, hoping to spark another glory run in the North of Scotland Cup after last season’s 5-4 triumph in the final against Ross County, is full of admiration for the Inverness young set having coached most of them over the last six years.
Manager Duncan Ferguson will be in the stand and is likely to hand technical area duties to first team coach Scott Kellacher.
The visiting side will be made up of the young players who started on the bench for Saturday’s draw with Montrose, bolstered by stand-outs from the club’s under 18s.
Tokely, the ICT appearances record holder, said: “The boys did really well last year to win the cup and we want to do really well in the competition again.
“It’s not going to be an easy game, that’s for sure, but we’re definitely looking to win it.
“I’ve probably worked with every one of the players we will face. There will be guys from the bench on Saturday and then others from the 18s who are coached by Billy Mckay.
“They are guys I’ve worked with last year and for the last five or six years. They are a really talented group, especially the lads who have got first team action.
“They deserve it - they have done well - and it is good experience for them.
“The guys in the 18s are a good bunch as well. The squad I had at 16s level last year was probably one of the best I had at the club.
“It will be a good test for us.”
Nairn’s Jekyll and Hyde start to the new campaign was encapsulated in Friday night’s 3-2 home capitulation to Rothes, having led 2-0 at the break.
Tokely said: “It is good for us to get a game so quickly after Friday. To say I am frustrated is an understatement.
“In the first half, we absolutely battered Rothes and couldn’t get that third goal. That’s key.
“I was really disappointed to lose, but you invite trouble when you can’t put two halves together, you lower the standards and lose silly goals.
“I’ve seen the good and the bad of my team and it is about finding some consistency and trying to improve the mentality as well.
“It is also about defending all over the pitch. You can see they are missing the like sof myself as well. We need more to step forward as leaders on the pitch.
“Friday really hurt to be honest with you.”