Inverness Caledonian Thistle (Scottish Premier League) v. QPR ------ 17 July 2004, 3 p.m. Caledonian Stadium, Inverness, Scotland ------ Rangers News Marc Bircham, Lee Cook, Dan Shittu, Richard Edghill and Nick Culkin will miss out. Everyone else is available to play. Cook and Edghill are due to return to training next week. The official site's preview can be found here. The Opponent After much legal wrangling, ICT has been promoted to the Scottish Premier League. Their semi-official website now says it's official, but it's not yet up to A-League levels: http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s14.htm/ They opened pre-season play with a 7-0 win over the Highland League's Brora Rangers. Their stadium is right on the water -- quite a pretty looking place. A good photo can be found here and a collection of photos can be found here.
ICT 1:1 QPR For the R's, Jamie Cureton equalized in the 78th minute. Former Forest player Jon Hjelde is on trial with the R's and played the final 45 minutes in central defense. About Hjelde, Holloway said, "He made a very promising start and he clearly wants to play for us having made the effort to get himself up here. We know him because he played with Jamie Cureton at Busan and we'll see where we go from here." Terrell Forbes played the opening 45 at the position. Four Rangers went the full 90: Day, Bignot, Rowlands, and McLeod. Rangers: Day, Bignot, Padula (Hamilton 65), Gnohere (Rose 46), Forbes (Hjelde 46), Ainsworth (Bean 46), Johnson (Daly 65), Rowlands, McLeod, Gallen (Cureton 46), Thorpe (Furlong 46) http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~541676,00.html
Sure it's pretty, but can you imagine spending 90 minutes there on the terraces with a brisk February wind whipping in off the sea? Brrr.
Yeah, it's bound to be a tough winter for their fans -- I'm sure the R's are glad to only play July friendlies there! QPRnet has a nice set of photos from the game here (our boys wore the green hoops): http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8353366 ...and a match report here: http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8353365
Back from a long adventure to Scotland - lots of driving, but well worth it for some beautiful sights and a chance to see the R's up in the Highlands. Although the match was nice enough and the surrounds fantastic, have to admit my personal highlight was getting to see the 2nd round of The Open at Troon on Friday (but I'll save that for some golf forum). About 200 or so R's were up in Scotland for the weekend, and the locals seemed interested in the fixture as well. Maybe about 2,000 in attendence, which isn't too bad. Certainly more than the Caley officials expected, since they only opened one turnstile. Match itself... not the most thrilling. Caley scored a lovely goal in the first. Swift counter from a Rangers free kick - good cross and final ball leading to a perfect volley. At that point, we looked a bit outclassed by the Premier League newbies. The starting 11 never really gelled. Johnson and Rowlands do not make the best of central MF partners. Due to the lack of depth there at the moment, and dearth of wingers, Rowly started in the middle. Thorpe was quiet up front. Forbes and Gnohere did not have too much to do in the back - little chance on the goal. Rangers improved in the 2nd with Rowly out wide and Rose and the trialist Hjelde in defence. Hjelde looked solid enough and apparently keen to sign - looks a good find. Rose played well, I think he's our first choice defender till big Dan gets back. Gnohere/Hjelde/Forbes in competition for the 2nd spot. Possibly Forbes at the moment because he adds some pace to the defence. Ideally, I think I'd go for Forbes/Sh!ttu/Rose/Padula in the back. BTW, Forbes will be on a month-to-month contract pending his legal situation. Our goal in the 2nd was a scrappy one, but came after a good spell of pressure. Wes Daly and Lewis Hamilton came on and both looked lively - Wes especially. We probably could have scored another, but for some poor long range efforts. Not too bad a performance though and some praise from the Caley manager who said that we would hold our own in the Premier League up there. I'll be at the Ajax match on Weds - will try and do another report afterwords.
http://media.rivals.net/media/jpg/2004071800240925.jpg There I am - getting rained on. Behind the Swedish R's flags in the dark blue jacket. Possibly taking a drink of tea, more likely picking my nose. Sad bastard!
Aye - its a nice jersey. I've got one at home right now. Got it 3 weeks ago. Everyone thinks its Celtic.
I think I might pick one up tomorrow. Opinion seems pretty split over here on the shirt - some people love it - some hate it. Have already seen many R's wearing it this summer, should be a good seller. Don't think we'll flog many of the light blue numbers though.