Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Robertson preparing for the unknown ahead of Challenge Cup semi final against Rangers Colts

The element of surprise has led to Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson taking extra steps to prepare for Sunday’s Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup semi final against Rangers Colts.

Straight away it is more difficult to get information on a youth team, but Rangers also have plenty of options that they could spring when they come up to the Highlands this weekend.

Robertson went on a scouting trip on Wednesday to see Rangers play in the UEFA Youth League, but even if he has an idea of how they might play, he cannot be sure of who will step on to the pitch in Rangers colours.

“We’ve looked at their team selection from previous rounds, and it has been relatively consistent, but Rangers have a very good under-19s squad and they also have a very good reserve squad,” Robertson said.

“They could be picking from 30 players, plus a couple of overage players.

“It’s not like facing Dundee United, a large part of it is unknown, but we’ve watched a lot of the youngsters in the past as potential loan signings, and we also know them from international duties, and more importantly we’ve come up against a few of them as well.

“That’s the complexity of it, because you’ve got the boy Barjonas who is out on loan at Partick Thistle, he could still play and has done in previous rounds.

“We have actually watched them one more time than we normally would because of the bodies they could pick."

Read more in today's Inverness Courier.

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