"This is a massive game for us" - Inverness co-manager
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INVERNESS face a season defining match tomorrow when they host Oban Celtic at Bught Stadium in a Balliemore Cup first round tie.
Knocked out of the MacTavish and Camanachd Cups on consecutive Saturdays, and struggling to put a win on the board in the league, a victory could transform the Highland Capital club’s season according to co-manager James MacDougall.
“Make no mistake this is a massive game for us and I am hardly exaggerating by saying that our season could be over if we don’t win,” he said.
“We have been handed a good draw at home and we have to make the best of it. We are not looking beyond this game — we are 100 per cent focussed on winning.
“We lost to them in a pre-season friendly so we know their calibre. We have improved since then though and I am confident we can make progress if we play to our potential.
“In the last two matches we found ourselves fatally behind really before we had managed to get going. But both times we recovered well and although we didn’t manage to pull it round we showed that there is a real fighting spirit in the team which as a manager is one of the things you look for.”
Yet again MacDougall and fellow co-manager Steve Munro will not be able to field their strongest line-up with long term injury victim David Higham still sidelined with torn ankle ligaments while Sorley MacDonald is abroad. Doubts also surround the availability of Scott Douglas, a close season signing from Strathglass.
A trip to face either Beauly or Glenorchy in the next round will be the reward for the winners.
Elsewhere in the first round North Division One leaders Lochaber face last season’s beaten finalists Caberfeidh at Spean Bridge.
Lochaber, sweeping all before them in the league, will start as favourites but Caberfeidh have an enduring love affair with the Balliemore Cup and will provide formidable opponents for Michael Delaney’s side.
Meanwhile, there Lovat are at home to second place Kinlochshiel in the Orion Group Premiership with the hosts looking to end a barren spell of three matches. Glenurquhart too are seeking answers to their goal scoring failings as they meet Fort William in the top flight.
League leaders Newtonmore at home to Inveraray and Kingussie will hope to continue their recent revival when they face Bute, while Kilmallie take on Kyles Athletic.
