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Who will rival Caley Thistle next season in ‘weakest League One for some time’?

John McInally, of Falkirk Daft, watched his own team romp to the League One title in 2023-24 - and he believes Inverness can go for glory.

Sean McAllister celebrates after sealing Caley Thistle's 3-1 win over Morton on Friday. Image: SNS.
Sean McAllister celebrates after sealing Caley Thistle's 3-1 win over Morton on Friday. Image: SNS.

Caley Thistle will need to go all out to win the League One title – but Queen of the South might be their main rivals for the crown.

That’s the view of John McInally, of the Falkirk Daft podcast, who watched his own side win the third-tier in season 2023-24, and took time out to bring ICT fans up to speed with what they can expect following their relegation from the Championship.

Falkirk and Inverness have recent history in the Scottish Cup – nine years ago, former Bairns hero John Hughes led Caley Thistle to Hampden glory with a 2-1 Hampden triumph over his former club.

And last year, under Billy Dodds, the Caley Jags were 3-0 victors over Falkirk in the semi-finals, leading to a 3-1 final defeat against Ange Postecoglou’s treble-winning Celtic.

Falkirk’s Max Kucheriavyi and ICT’s Daniel MacKay in the 2023 Scottish Cup semis, which ICT won 2-1. Image: SNS.

But now the tables have turned. Invincible Falkirk – after five years in League One – have swept back into the second tier under manager John McGlynn, winning 27 and drawing nine fixtures. 

They look like being a force at the top end of that division, especially with the strong backing they get from the stands, and have already passed the 3,500 mark for season tickets next term.

ICT’s play-off final defeat against Hamilton Accies three weeks ago sent them back to the third level of the Scottish leagues for the first time in 25 years.

League One for 2024-2025 consists of Arbroath, ICT, Alloa Athletic, Montrose, Cove Rangers, Kelty Hearts, Queen of the South, Annan Athletic, Stenhousemuir and Dumbarton,

Nathan Shaw in action against Dumbarton’s Carlo Pignatiello last season when ICT slipped to a 2-1 League Cup group stage defeat.  Image: SNS.

Ferguson will still need Championship team to win ‘weakest League One for some time’

McInally says Inverness have to recruit sensibly – but could well be seen at the strongest side in the division when it kicks off in August.

He said: “You need to build a Championship-level team in League One to stand a chance (of promotion).

“The good thing for Inverness is I think this is the weakest League One there has been for some time, when you consider the clubs now in it.

“In previous seasons, we’ve had Partick Thistle, Raith Rovers, Dunfermline, but this is quite a level playing field – apart from the plastic pitches which the Inverness manager (Ferguson) is not a fan of.

“He will have seven sides to play against who play on plastic (ICT, Arbroath and Dumbarton are the three who play on grass).

“If they at least train on plastic during the week, they will be well used to it.

“After a poor season, I’d say Queen of the South will be looking to get up next year. They will probably be the biggest threat to Inverness.

“Alloa are tough nuts to crack, as are Montrose, with Stewart Petrie doing a great job there. They will both be there or thereabouts.

“It’s a tough league to get out of – thankfully we have managed it – best of luck to Inverness.

“I’d say Inverness really have to target the title with it not being the strongest League One.”

Falkirk manager John McGlynn. Image: SNS.

Getting off and running with early wins usually crucial

Caley Thistle repeating the feat of Falkirk by going the entire league campaign without a loss is unlikely.

However, McInally added: “Inverness will be best to try and get early wins on the board. That’s what we did before going the season unbeaten.

“But you must try and get your noses ahead in League One – especially against your biggest rivals, which I’d say would be Queen of the South.

“They’ve signed Reece Lyons, who is a really good player at that level.

“Hamilton were not bad last season… it’s just that Falkirk were exceptional.

“To go the whole season unbeaten was an incredible achievement.

“We’re only the third club to achieve this outside of Rangers and Celtic. We’re not counting Kilmarnock, who achieved it over an 18-game season (in 1899).

“We have sold 3,500 season tickets so far, but I think we could get more than 4,000, which for any club in this league is really good.

“We go into next season with confidence and I’m really looking forward to returning to the Championship.”

Inverness captain and striker Billy Mckay will be a key figure for the Highlanders next term. Image: SNS.

Competitive action starts next month for Caley Thistle

Quickfire Premier Sport League Cup ties start from July 13 as Inverness travel on League One rivals Annan Athletic in Group D.

They then host Bonnyrigg Rose, of League Two, on July 20, and three days later welcome League One’s Arbroath to Inverness, before finishing at Premiership Dundee on July 27.

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