inverness ct 2
Doran (44), Storey (82) arbroath 1
Linn (26)
It was a day for returning heroes of an older vintage, but Miles Storey marked his own homecoming with the late winning goal.
The former Aberdeen and Partick Thistle striker turned the clock back three years after springing from the bench to sink unlucky Arbroath.
Storey netted 13 goals for the Highlanders during a season-long loan spell from Paolo Di Canio’s Swindon Town in 2015/16, before winning a move to Pittodrie.
Two years at Partick Thistle also fell flat, but Caley Thistle boss John Robertson believes a second stint in Inverness can revitalise the 25-yearold frontman.
Robertson, after paying tribute to the paraded heroes of 1994 who faced Arbroath in Caley Thistle’s first Scottish League outing, lavished praise on Storey.
He said: “Miles has all the attributes to play at a high level in England. We want to get him back to a level where clubs are sniffing about him.”
Arbroath were visitors almost 25 years to the day after providing the opposition for the hosts’ national league debut in Inverness.
The merged Caley Thistle side won 5-2 that day, with a hat-trick from the late Alan Hercher.
Poignantly, it was also a year to the day since Hercher passed away at the age of 52.
The Red Lichties, though, were never going to stand on ceremony and, on 26 minutes, snatched the lead. Jason Thomson’s cross was punched clear by keeper Mark Ridgers, but Linn finished from 15 yards.
The hosts found the leveller a minute before the break when James Keatings’ delicate pass sent Aaron Doran tearing through the middle to beat keeper Derek Jamieson.
Storey replaced Jordan White just before the hour mark.
But it was looking bleak for the uninspired hosts – until disaster struck for Dick Campbell’s men.
Storey rescued the ball near the left outside angle of the box, and thrashed in a powerful attempt.
While it was a decent effort, keeper Jamieson fumbled the shot and the ball rolled into the net to give ICT the win.