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Caley Thistle fan view: Billy Dodds’ side made to work hard by impressive Stirling Albion

Inverness head coach Billy Dodds shakes match-winner Aaron Doran's hand at full-time. Images: Mark Scates/SNS Group
Inverness head coach Billy Dodds shakes match-winner Aaron Doran's hand at full-time. Images: Mark Scates/SNS Group

So, how are you all enjoying the World Cup?

There has been no shortage of talking points over in Qatar and it has been wall-to-wall football this week.

Sadly some attractive fixtures clashed with Saturday’s Scottish Cup card but I guess that was unavoidable in this rather unusual season.

It is always interesting in World Cups to see Fifa’s latest ideas that will trickle down through the football world in the days ahead.

We have seen some quite extraordinary levels of time added on in Qatar as officials make sure a full 90 minutes is played.

If that was adopted in Scottish football we would see games on a Saturday afternoon go on until after 5pm which seems odd to someone like myself who grew up on ten minutes for half time and everything done and dusted by 4.40pm.

I see where Fifa are coming from but I feel it will result in fewer upsets and surprise results in games.

Surprises keep game interesting

If football results become more predictable that may not be such a good thing in my view.

There were certainly a few surprises in the third round of the Scottish Cup and that added interest and excitement to the day.

Thankfully, Caley Thistle progressed to the next round of the competition, though they made heavy weather of getting the better of Stirling Albion.

If the game had gone to extra time it wouldn’t have been a huge surprise.

Inverness’ David Carson holds off a challenge from Kai Fotheringham during the Scottish Cup third round match. Image: SNS.

Aaron Doran’s winner, midway through the second half, was enough to get the job done.

Darren Young’s Binos look capable of challenging for promotion from League Two and I will watch their progress with interest.

Home fans were encouraged to see Dan Mackay return to the squad and will be interested to see how new short term loan player, Ryan Barrett, settles in.  We still need all the players we can get.

Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your TV sets now for a few days until Dundee come to Inverness on Saturday afternoon.

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