The Highland derby makes its long-awaited return to the Scottish football calendar tomorrow and with both sides flying high, it looks set to be a cracker.
Ross County endured a fairly miserable campaign last season as they ultimately dropped down from the Premiership after finishing bottom but one silver lining to their relegation has been the return of this fixture.
At one point it looked possible that we might have a winner-takes-all relegation play-off between these two and although that didn’t ultimately happen, this stakes in this one are still pretty high.
Caley Thistle have started the season in great form. They are top of the Championship and unbeaten in the league with three wins and 11 points from their first five matches. Combined with last season’s fine finish which saw them narrowly miss out on a playoff spot after a very sluggish start, they are unbeaten in their last 16 league outings.
The Staggies meanwhile have kept some key players, made several impressive additions and are sitting second with 10 points. They were the favourite of most bookmakers’ for promotion at the start of the season and still are.
Some might say it is too close to call, particularly it seems if they are a sports reporter with the Press and Journal.
Here are the verdicts from sports editor Danny Law, sports reporters Paul Third, Andy Skinner and Jamie Durent and digital reporter Stuart Findlay ahead of tomorrow’s match at Victoria Park.
Danny Law
Ross County 2-2 Caley Thistle
“I have got a feeling Saturday’s Highland derby will be a classic.
“Ross County have defended very well this season but I fancy Caley Thistle to score at least once in Dingwall.
“I also wouldn’t be surprised if Iain Vigurs was on target for the Staggies.
“A point wouldn’t be a bad result for either side at this early stage of the season so I’m opting for a high-scoring draw.”
Paul Third
Ross County 1-0 Caley Thistle
“Ross County have held the upper hand in recent meetings but Caley Thistle head to Dingwall as league leaders and are on a 16 game unbeaten run in the Championship.
“The Caley Jags also love playing at Victoria Park and if I know one thing it’s that fireworks are guaranteed at this one.
“County have made their home ground a fortress so far so something has to give here.
“I won’t take the easy option and go for a draw but if I have to pick one side I’ll tip County, but only just, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone like Ross Draper prove the unlikely hero of the day by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win against his former club.”
Andy Skinner
Ross County 2-2 Caley Thistle
“Both teams would love to further underpin their fine starts with a derby victory, but I cannot separate them.
“In the main, County and Caley Jags have both been defensively sound this season but I do think goals will flow this weekend. It promises to be an open game, unlike some at Dingwall so far in which County have been forced to spend long periods plotting a way to break down a rigid opponent.
“That style of play will not appeal to John Robertson however, with the recent 3-0 win at Dunfermline a timely reminder that a containing style is not in his DNA.
“The formbook doesn’t offer much of a hint – with County boasting an impeccable home record, and Caley Jags likewise on the road.
“The Staggies have more players who have featured in this fixture in the past, albeit much of that experience was gained in Inverness colours, but having gone 16 Championship matches without defeat I don’t think Caley Thistle will be fazed about any opponent in this league at present.
Jamie Durent
Ross County 2-2 Caley Thistle
“I can’t call which way this game will go and I doubt I’m the only one. County have the stronger squad but Caley Thistle sit top of the table and are the only unbeaten team in the Championship. It’s all set for a ding-dong Dingwall derby.
“The frenetic tempo of this game should be evident in the first 20 minutes or so and I wouldn’t be surprised if both sides had several players in the book. Caley Thistle have played best with Liam Polworth, Tom Walsh and Aaron Doran behind Jordan White and I’d expect them to do so again. Doran loves a derby goal, with five in 12 games against County, and will fancy his chances of adding to that tally.
“Ross Draper, Billy Mckay and Iain Vigurs coming up against Inverness in County colours will add spice, as if it was needed, to the contest, and I reckon a late County goal will snatch them a point in this one.
Stuart Findlay
Ross County 1-2 Caley Thistle
“If I was asked at the start of the season who would win the first Highland derby at Dingwall I would have plumped for the Staggies.
“But Caley Thistle have made a highly impressive start to the season and appear to have found a winning formula under Robertson in the last six months.
“Iain Vigurs’ move (back) across the Kessock Bridge in the summer seemed like a killer blow to Inverness’s promotion chances at the time but they are proving they can get by without him and the additional responsibility given to Liam Polworth looks so far like it might be the making of him.
“I predict a tightly-fought contest with Inverness sneaking a winner.”