Inverness boss wary of wounded opponents after two Cup defeats

INVERNESS boss John Robertson says he’s expecting a tough battle against Crusaders tomorrow.

Both sides are gunning for a place in the final of the IRN BRU Cup but the Scottish Championship side will enjoy home advantage and are favourites to progress to the decider against either Welsh side The New Saints or Dumbarton who play their semi-final this evening.

“It’ll be an important game for Crusaders too, they’re going great in their league, being top of the table, they’ve been knocked out of a couple of cups recently which will disappoint them, but they’ll come here looking to get to a cup final of their own,” said Robertson.

“The fact that it’s a Cup final from another country will add a little spice for them, they’ll want to be one of the first two non-Scottish teams to reach the final, but we have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Inverness were frustrated at the scheduling of the fixture, moved to Sunday tea-time for live television coverage.

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s been a long time coming,” added Robertson.

“Obviously, it was way back last year that we won our place in the semi-final, there’s been a lot of toing and froing to when the date would be for the game.

“It’s here now, we’re looking forward to it and the players are excited, it’s a semi-final of a national competition and we want to get to the final.

“The frustration is more for the fans, not all of our fans are based in Inverness, some are based in the central belt and all over.

“The Crusaders fans will have wanted to make a weekend of it and to get the dates, but it’s here, it’s on Sunday evening, and we’ll both be going hell for leather to reach the final.”