The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Mckay’s moment of genius lifts Caley Thistle
Highlanders off foot of table after sending Gers to another loss
Apotential turning point in Caley Thistle's season on an historic night for the club, as they moved off the bottom of the Premiership with a fabulous win against Rangers.
On the night of their 1,000th match, Inverness looked as though they would be forced to settle for a point when Martyn Waghorn scores from the spot to cancel out Greg Tansey's superb opener midway through the second half.
Inverness' chance of a crucial victory looked to have gone when substitute Iain Vigurs missed a penalty for the hosts four minutes from time, but Billy Mckay was to have the last laugh, squeezing home a sublime overhead kick with only a minute left.
Inverness have had many famous victories since their formation in 1994, but this could yet prove to be a cornerstone in a so far disappointing campaign.
Rangers arrived in the Highlands in chaos and without a manager with caretaker Graeme Murty in charge of a shambolic 2-1 defeat against Dundee on Sunday which left them six points adrift of second-placed Aberdeen.
Inverness’ need was just as great, however, having not won since October.
Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran spoke of his desire for his players to unsettle the visitors from the off. A spirited performance secured a depleted Inverness its 1-1 draw against Hearts the previous weekend, leaving Foran with tough decisions to make given the return of several key players.
The result? He stuck with the same team that earned a valuable point, meaning the hastilypaired central defensive partnership of Louis Laing and Jamie McCart continued, leaving captain Gary Warren, Brad McKay, Vigurs and Billy King on the bench.
It was so nearly a nightmare start for Caley Jags, who needed sharp work from goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams after just four minutes.
Lee Wallace released veteran attacker Kenny Miller from a quick throw, with Fon Williams standing tall to block his shot from an acute angle and even more impressively getting down to save Emerson Hyndman’s effort on the rebound.
Inverness were dealt an early blow when Carl Tremarco was forced off with a groin injury, with McKay his replacement.
The hosts created their first opportunity of note when Jake Mulraney robbed Andy Halliday of the ball before carving out a shooting chance from the edge of the visitors’ box, but his effort deflected over.
Caley Jags grew steadily into the game, with Mckay’s header blocked by Rob Kiernan, before Greg Tansey shot wide. Foran’s men survived a scare on 33 minutes, however, when Wallace’s right- footed delivery picked out the unmarked Barrie McKay, but he could only head his effort harmlessly over from six yards.
Inverness displayed confidence in possession, but the Gers continued to pose a threat, with Waghorn shooting wide of Fon Williams’ right-hand post from long range.
Mulraney was impressing and had the beating of Wallace down the right, showing the left back a clean pair of heels before Danny Wilson got in at the near post to clear ahead of Mckay.
The home side’s persistence finally paid off on the stroke of half time when they took a stunning lead.
Liam Polworth’s effort was blocked into the path of Tansey, who lined up a
“Mulraney was impressing and had the beating of Wallace down the right”
superb 25-yard shot curled and curved past goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
The ideal time to score, could this be the turning point in Caley Thistle’s season?
Caley Jags were patient in the early stages of the second half, but in their moments in possession were able to exploit large gaps in a clearly vulnera- ble Rangers side. Danger looked on the cards whenever Mulraney picked up the ball, in what was undoubtedly the Irishman’s best performance since joining from Championship club QPR last summer.
Rangers offered a reminder of their danger on 59 minutes, however, with on-loan Celtic defender Jamie McCart standing tall to block successive shots from Hyndman and James Tavernier.
McKay was next to threaten for the Gers moments later, with his curling shot from the edge of the box forcing Fon Williams to make a great save to divert it over the bar.
Inverness had defended well but a horrendous lack of concentration should have resulted in an equaliser on 63 minutes.
Hyndman exposed a huge gap in the defence when he released Jon Toral, who somehow drilled wide of the lefthand post with virtually the entire goal to aim at.
It was Rangers’ best spell of pressure of the game, and it was little surprise when they restored parity midway through the second half. The goal came gift-wrapped, with referee Steven McLean pointing to the spot following Laing’s clumsy challenge on Wallace inside the area, and Waghorn making no mistake with a powerful finish.
Caley Jags could have restored their lead four minutes from time when Mckay was hauled down by Wilson, however Vigurs’ poor effort was saved by Foderingham.
They thought their chance was gone, but there was still time for Mckay to deliver, squeezing home an exquisite overhead kick to send the supporters wild with delight and ignite hope the great escape could be on. Over to you, Celtic, against Hamilton today.