Boss hopes super Caley go ballistic again

ICT: Robertson rallies Caley Jags to take scalp of Premiership side Livi

Caley Thistle manager John Robertson hopes the club’s Scottish Cup heroics of 2000 can inspire his players for today’s home tie against Livingston.

Inverness famously defeated Celtic 3-1 at Parkhead 20 years ago today in a result which shocked Scottish football, just six years after the First Division club’s formation.

The club has gone on to enjoy huge success, most notably winning the competition with a 2-1 victory over Falkirk in 2015.

Robertson, who is in his second spell in charge at Caledonian Stadium, says the result under his first predecessor Steve Paterson still takes pride of place in the club’s 26-year history.

Robertson said: “It is a hugely iconic result for the club. I don’t think it will ever be forgotten.

“It is the JFK or Princess Diana moment for us older ones. Where were you when that happened?

“The game was rescheduled because of the storm damage to Celtic Park at the first time of asking.

“Then Steve Paterson and the lads went down and humbled the John Barnes and Kenny Dalglish pairing of the time.

“We all know that was the result that put Caley Thistle on the map. It showed that the amalgamation of two famous Highland League clubs was ultimately the right thing to do for the city going forward.

“It is a result that should always, always be celebrated in the short history of the club so far. It is the stuff the club has built its fantastic Scottish Cup pedigree on. We want to go and beat teams and show that, if you draw Caley Thistle in the cup, you’re in for a real game.”

Robertson – who led his side to the semi-finals last season – will set out his players to claim another upset when they host Livi today, with Gary Holt’s men fifth in the Premiership.

He added: “We punch above our weight all the time. We’re not a rich club. We don’t have a massive fanbase. But in the cups, particularly the Scottish Cup, we’ve taken some big scalps. At this moment, Livingston would be a huge scalp for us because they’re a top-six club on merit. We want to try to beat them.”