The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Mckay’ s impact key to Caley Thistle pulling off cup shock
The key man for Caley Thistle and their hopes of pulling off an almighty shock in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday is the man who will likely have the least touches of the ball at Hampden.
Billy Mckay is the man who will shape Caley Jags’ cup final prospects when they face Celtic at the National Stadium.
Daniel MacKay’s pace out wide will be important, too, but Billy’s ability to hold the ball up, draw fouls, give his team-mates some respite and get his side up the pitch will be crucial.
Do not expect a high press from Billy Dodds’ side.
That would be a foolish approach as Celtic are simply too good at handling that and can cut through their domestic rivals with ease when they try it.
I expect Inverness to drop off, tighten up the spaces in between the lines and all the other coaching jargon you want to use to describe staying compact in formation.
No, it’s about restricting the space for the opposition to play in, force them to pass the ball sideways or backwards, and break quickly when you get the chance.
CHALLENGING BUILD-UP FOR INVERNESS
When I saw how Celtic revved up for the final with an impressive display in a dominant 5-0 win against Aberdeen on Saturday, it is a cause for concern.
The contrast with Ange Postecoglou resting and rotating players means Celtic will be fresh for Hampden.
Caley Thistle’s preparation for the game has been anything but straightforward, given they haven’t played competitively in weeks.
But what Doddsy has said in the build-up to the game is spot-on; his players cannot let the hype and sense of occasion take control of their emotions.
This is the showpiece game of the Scottish football calendar – the Scottish Cup final with the whole country watching.
It’s David v Goliath as a Championship team tries to take on a giant of Scottish football in the treble-chasing Hoops.
But just because it’s Celtic, it doesn’t mean they get a two-goal start. The game starts goalless and how long Caley Thistle can keep it that way is vital.
I’m expecting a cagey 4-5-1 formation from the team and the aim will be to get through the first 20 minutes without conceding. From there it’s about trying to get to half-time goalless.
Celtic are such strong favourites that even for Inverness to be leading the game after 45 minutes would be a shock. That’s how big a challenge this is for the Highlanders.
On Saturday, every Caley Thistle player needs to perform to their best, individually and collectively.
If they play as they can, and keep Celtic from scoring, then the nerves among the Hoops fans will start to jangle.
It’s a huge ask but not an impossible task.
Caley Thistle have earned the right to be at Hampden on Saturday. These chances don’t come around too often and, above all else, the players should enjoy it.
As we’ve seen this season already, cup shocks the likes of which you would not have dreamed possible, can happen. It happened for Darvel against Aberdeen. Caley Thistle have to believe it can happen for them, too.
NERVES WILL BE FRAUGHT AT ROSS COUNTY
While one half of the Highlands will be dreaming of cup glory this weekend, the other half face a nervy finale to their season on Sunday.
Ross County’s 3-1 defeat at Kilmarnock on Sunday means they must face Partick Thistle in a twolegged play-off to secure their place in the Scottish Premiership for next season. I’m disappointed from what I saw from Rugby Park at the weekend as the Staggies just didn’t get going at all.
It was not as if it was Celtic Park or Ibrox they were travelling to, needing a win. It was Kilmarnock, a team who have struggled as much as County have this season.
They didn’t perform when it mattered and the only saving grace is they have one more opportunity to put it right against the Jags.
FORMER STAGGIE IS PARTICK’S MAIN THREAT
I’ve seen a lot of Partick in the last couple of months and, for me, they are playing as if they are a Premiership outfit.
Make no mistake, County have a real fight on their hands this week.
Staggies supporters need no insight into the threat former County striker Brian Graham presents.
He’s a handful if given the chance but I would hope his abrasive and physical style is one the County defenders will relish taking on.