For supporters of proper clubs, mid-November is an opportunity to put your feet up and eagerly watch the international friendlies in order to get a sample of the excitement that this summer’s World Cup promises to deliver. Unfortunately Caley relinquished that privilege when we got relegated last season and now we have to subject ourselves to a bit of Falkirk at home in the challenge cup. AND WE WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY!

Happy cup memories against this weekends opponents, Kriklaf.

At first glance it might seem like we should beat Falkirk with ease, given their lowly position in the Scottish Championship table but this isn’t the Scottish Championship this is the Irn Bru Challenge Cup. A cup in which Falkirk have some serious pedigree, in fact no club has won the competition more than the Bairns. Often when a team is struggling in the league they find a game in the cup a welcome distraction, for example Roberto Martinez’s Wigan won the FA Cup in 2013 despite getting relegated in the same season.

We saw what Falkirk are capable of this season after the disaster-class in the league cup which resulted in a 2-0 home defeat for the Caley Jags. However judging by his post-match interview after Falkirk laboured to a 1-1 draw against 9-man Dunfermline (who we just beat), Bairns veteran Mark Kerr isn’t experiencing the euphoric symptoms of Challenge Cup fever. After he was asked by Falkirk TV about his thoughts ahead of the game he stated that they will have a tough 90 minutes ahead of them, saying that Caley are the “form team” in the division at the moment. But with IRN-BRU Golden Balls Player of the third round Myles Hippolyte on your side, ANYTHING is possible.

Myles Hippolyte and his golden ball.

As for Caley, we just can’t seem to stop keeping clean sheets. As it stands we have not conceded in 567 minutes and the club record is 616, so if we can keep it tight for 49 mins, we will witness HISTORY on Saturday night (and me furious updating the clubs Wikipedia page).

Talking after the game, gaffer John Robertson credited the newfound solidity to the forward players such as John Baird, Connor Bell and Jake Mulraney pressing opposition defenders, in order to disrupt their rhythm.

If the last Challenge Cup game (3-0 victory vs Peterhead) is anything to go by, Robertson will show the Challenge Cup the respect it deserves and play a strong line-up. It seems wise to pick the same 11 every week as it only improves player’s understanding of each other and as the 2017 general election taught us, you can never underestimate the power of Momentum.

Prediction

Falkirk have been showing signs of life in recent weeks with a much better performance against rivals Dunfermline than many expected but are up against a Caley team who are enjoying their football at the moment and will be eager to break the club’s clean sheet record and provide the fans with some top draw Saturday night entertainment.

ICT 2-1 Falkirk (Falkirk scoring in the 48th minute)