Stylish Caley Thistle sweep to last-day victory against Dundee
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CALEY Thistle finished seventh in the Ladbrokes Premiership after today's (Saturday's) sparkling 4-0 win against visitors and main chasers Dundee.
The Highlanders have been one of the league's form sides past two months, going into this final fixture of the season on the back of five victories from their last eight games, including a 1-0 midweek success at Hamilton.
Their injury-ravaged campaign hampered their bid for a top six spot and, with many players now out contract, there's plenty of work for the club to do to get into shape for a strong start to next season, which starts with the Betfred Cup (formerly the League Cup) in July.
Season ticket holders could take a friend into this clash with the Dark Blues for a fiver and they would have felt they had got plenty of value for money, especially from ICT who played a lot of nice football on the deck.
The Dark Blues had the better of the chances in the early part of the game, but overall it was a lesson in finishing from Caley Thistle to match their style of play.
All three meetings between these sides ended in 1-1 draws, so another close encounter was expected, but that's clearly not how it turned out.
A second half strike from on-loan Swindon striker Miles Storey put ICT in front before quick-fire goals from Danny Devine and Ross Draper and a Richie Foran penalty finished off the Taysiders.
ICT manager John Hughes made no changes from the team which won at Hamilton on Wednesday.
Dundee boss Paul Hartley, whose side drew 1-1 against Killie in midweek, made also stuck with the same starting 11.
The hosts had the first opportunity when Storey hooked an effort on target from out wide right and keeper Scott Bain tipped the ball over the top.
Iain Vigurs then had a free-kick, which was won by Liam Polworth, and he drew a fine save from Scotland squad keeper Bain.
Dundee were showing little signs of danger until the 20 minutes when Rory Loy flashed an effort past the right post.
Greg Stewart, who has this week been linked to Aberdeen, linked up well with Hemmings before crashing a 20-yarder off the crossbar, with ICT keeper Owain Fon Williams beaten.
Just before the half hour mark, Hemmings knocked the ball over the bar when he met a cut-back from McGinn.
On 34 minutes, ICT keeper Owain Fon Williams superbly pushed clear a net-bound shot from Paul McGinn, who broke into the box before going for it.
The second half took some time to burst into any life and it came on 57 minutes when Greg Tansey's 35-yard free-kick was gathered by Bain.
Just five minutes later, the deadlock was broken by Caley Thistle when a fine pass from Polworth put Storey through on the goalkeeper and he rounded him before clipping the ball from a tight angle into the net.
It was a cool finish for his 13 goal of the season and it was another example of why Hughes wants to keep him by striking a deal with Swindon.
The victory was secured on 69 minutes when Vigurs swept in corner from the left and Devine side-footed it in from close range.
Then, just two minutes laterm further gloss was added when a mistake by former Caley Jags midfielder Nick Ross let in Draper and he steered the ball past Bain for the third goal of the afternoon.
Defender David Raven, who is being released by the Highlanders, was given a final appearance when he came off the bench for Josh Meekings.
Then Dundee-bound Danny Williams finished his Inverness CT career when he left the field, replaced by Ryan Williams.
With seven minutes left, Caley Thistle won a spot-kick when Polworth was tripped in the box by sub Andy Black.
Up stepped skipper Foran, who had replaced Storey, and he made no mistake with the penalty to round off an impressive all-round display and confirm their biggest victory of the season.
Foran, who has said he plans to speak to Hughes and chairman Kenny Cameron about his future due to lack of game time, reminded them again of his worth to the side with his display when he came on.
Inverness CT: Fon Williams, Tremarco, Warren, Meekings (Raven 73), Draper, Devine, Tansey, Danny Williams (Ryan Williams 66), Polworth, Vigurs, Storey (Foran 67). Subs not used: Esson (GK), Roberts, Horner, Mbuyi-Mutombo.
Dundee: Bain, Holt, Stewart (Curran 67), Loy, Hemmings, Etxabeguren, Ross, McGinn (Black 78), O'Dea, Wighton, Colquhoun (Perez-Reverte 66). Subs not used: Mitchell (GK), Meggatt, Gadzhalov.
Referee: Barry Cook.
Attedance: 3794.
