Highland Derby
Other namesEl Kessocko, The Cold Firm[1]
City or regionScottish Highlands
First contested27 August 1994, (Ross County 1–3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle)
Teams involvedInverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County
Most winsInverness Caledonian Thistle (27)
StadiumsCaledonian Stadium, Inverness and Victoria Park, Dingwall
LongeststreakInverness Caledonian Thistle, 4 games. (16 November 1996 - 12 February 1997)
Top scorerLiam Boyce, Ross County, 10 goals
CurrentstreakInverness Caledonian Thistle, 1 game. (2 April 2021 – present)
LargestvictoryInverness Caledonian Thistle 1–5 Ross County, 25 February 2003
Smallestvictory1–0, (7 times).
Inverness Caledonian Thistle x5
Ross County x2
CurrentunbeatenstreakInverness Caledonian Thistle, 1 game. (2 April 2021 – present)
LongestunbeatenstreakRoss County, 10 games. (13 August 2016 - 2 April 2021)
Largestscoring6 goals, (4 times).
3–3 draw x3
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1–5 Ross County
Mostrecent2 April 2021 (Ross County 1–3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle)
Team 1Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Team 2Ross County
Coordinates 157.494722°N 4.2175°W
Coordinates 257.595833°N 4.418889°W

The Highland derby[2] is a football rivalry that is based in the Scottish Highlands. It is contested between the only two full-time SPFL clubs in the Highland council area, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County. The city of Inverness and town of Dingwall are only 14 miles (23 km) apart, whereas the nearest other professional clubs (Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United and St Johnstone) are over 100 miles (160 km) away from either club. The fixture is the most northerly professional football derby in the UK.

History

The rivalry first arose in 1994, when Caledonian Thistle (whose name did not yet include the city) were formed out of the merger between Caledonian and Inverness Thistle.[3] Both the new Inverness club and Ross County had been accepted as new teams into the Scottish Football League, starting a trend of Highland League clubs entering the SFL.[3] The first match between the sides was a Third Division contest, played on 27 August 1994 at Victoria Park, won 3–1 by Inverness.[1]

Since that historic first match, the encounter has gone from strength to strength as both teams improved and came to compete near the top of the Scottish football league system. Both have significant fanbases that have grown due to their successes since their inclusion in 1994. Attendances at the derby matches often surpass the 5,000 mark, making the match itself a popular attraction. The clubs met in the top flight of Scottish football for the first time during the 2012–13 Scottish Premier League season.[4] For a few months in 2016, the Highland clubs were simultaneously the holders of the country's two major cups, with Inverness's triumph in the 2015 Scottish Cup Final followed by Ross County's win in the 2016 Scottish League Cup Final (March).[1]

The increased level of media interest in the fixture led some outlets to humorously tag the derby as "El Kessocko" (a pun on Spanish El Clásico)[5] or "The Cold Firm" (a pun on the Old Firm).[6][1]

The relationship between the clubs is unusual in that there is "a level of goodwill" between them.[7] For example, both clubs closely co-operate in the Highland Football Academy.[8][9]

Head-to-head

In head-to-head matches, the teams have played each other in 62 games, with Inverness Caledonian Thistle winning 27 times, compared to Ross County's 17. A total of 18 matches have ended in a draw.[10] Inverness have won more league, Scottish Cup and Challenge Cup matches, with the teams tied in League Cup matches.

TeamLeagueScottish CupLeague CupChallenge CupTotal
Inverness Caledonian Thistle2221227
Ross County1601017
Draw1530018

Matches played

League

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Ross CountyRoss County v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
SeasonDivisionDateVenueScoreAttendanceDateVenueScoreAttendance
1994–95Third Division29 Oct 1994Telford Street Park0 – 02,44027 Aug 1994Victoria Park1 – 33,157
6 May 1995Telford Street Park3 – 03,5622 Jan 1995Victoria Park3 – 12,749
1995–96Third Division30 Sep 1995Telford Street Park1 – 13,62518 Nov 1995Victoria Park2 – 04,288
23 Jan 1996Telford Street Park1 – 14,93116 Mar 1996Victoria Park2 – 13,670
1996–97Third Division16 Nov 1996Caledonian Stadium2 – 04,56228 Sep 1996Victoria Park1 – 33,598
15 Mar 1997Caledonian Stadium3 – 05,52512 Feb 1997Victoria Park0 – 35,017
2000–01First Division16 Sep 2000Caledonian Stadium0 – 14,82318 Nov 2000Victoria Park0 – 35,721
2 Jan 2001[1]Caledonian Stadium3 – 35,29131 Mar 2001Victoria Park0 – 15,876
2001–02First Division17 Nov 2001Caledonian Stadium3 – 04,51315 Sep 2001Victoria Park2 – 14,679
23 Mar 2002Caledonian Stadium1 – 14,68519 Mar 2002Victoria Park0 – 04,414
2002–03First Division24 Aug 2002Caledonian Stadium2 – 03,6699 Nov 2002Victoria Park0 – 25,449
25 Feb 2003Caledonian Stadium1 – 53,4438 Mar 2003Victoria Park0 – 24,621
2003–04First Division14 Nov 2003Caledonian Stadium3 – 33,52330 Aug 2003Victoria Park1 – 15,020
27 Mar 2004Caledonian Stadium1 – 04,0193 Jan 2004Victoria Park1 – 06,120
2009–10First Division29 Aug 2009Caledonian Stadium1 – 35,8467 Nov 2009Victoria Park2 – 15,506
30 Mar 2010Caledonian Stadium3 – 05,41120 Mar 2010Victoria Park0 – 05,928
2012–13Premier League5 Oct 2012Caledonian Stadium3 – 16,7662 Mar 2013Victoria Park0 – 05,959
16 Mar 2013Caledonian Stadium2 – 15,75019 May 2013Victoria Park1 – 06,002
2013–14Premiership1 Jan 2014Caledonian Stadium1 – 24,33225 Feb 2014Victoria Park0 – 34,805
4 Apr 2014Victoria Park1 – 24,433
2014–15Premiership5 Oct 2014Caledonian Stadium1 – 13,7411 Jan 2015Victoria Park1 – 34,887
31 Jan 2015Caledonian Stadium1 – 14,021
2015–16Premiership2 Jan 2016Caledonian Stadium2 – 05,3883 Oct 2015Victoria Park1 – 25,473
19 Mar 2016[1]Victoria Park0 – 35,912
2016–17Premiership13 Aug 2016Caledonian Stadium2 – 34,20431 Dec 2016Victoria Park3 – 25,111
18 Mar 2017Caledonian Stadium1 – 14,12328 Apr 2017[1]Victoria Park4 – 04,928
2018–19Championship3 Nov 2018Caledonian Stadium2 – 24,35322 Sep 2018[1]Victoria Park0 – 06,402
2 Apr 2019Caledonian Stadium1 – 23,79529 Dec 2018Victoria Park2 – 16,313

Cups

SeasonDivisionRoundDateVenueScoreAttendance
2003–04Challenge CupQuarter-final26 Aug 2003Caledonian Stadium1 – 02,631
2004–05League CupSecond round24 Aug 2004Victoria Park0 – 13,315
2009–10Challenge CupSemi-final4 Oct 2009Caledonian Stadium1 – 02,755
2012–13Scottish CupFourth round1 Dec 2012Victoria Park3 – 35,077
Fourth round replay11 Dec 2012Caledonian Stadium2 – 14,135
2015–16League CupQuarter-final27 Oct 2015Caledonian Stadium1 – 23,004
2018–19Scottish CupFifth round11 Feb 2019Victoria Park2 – 22,600
Fifth round replay19 Feb 2019Caledonian Stadium2 – 2[a]3,608
2020–21Scottish CupThird Round2 April 2021Victoria Park1 – 30[b]
  1. ^ After Extra Time; Inverness CT won 5–4 on penalties.
  2. ^ Game was held behind closed doors due to COVID Pandemic.

Goalscorer records

Players with 3 or more goals in the Highland derby.

ScorerTeam(s)LeagueScottish CupLeague CupChallenge CupTotal
Liam BoyceRoss County10———10
Dennis WynessInverness Caledonian Thistle9———9
Billy McKayInverness Caledonian Thistle43——9
Ross County11——
Iain StewartInverness Caledonian Thistle7———7
Aaron DoranInverness Caledonian Thistle51——6
Alan HercherInverness Caledonian Thistle4———4
Jamie McPhersonRoss County4———4
Iain VigursRoss County22——4
Ross DraperInverness Caledonian Thistle3———3
Steven FergusonRoss County3———3
Brian GrantRoss County3———3
Barry RobsonInverness Caledonian Thistle3———3
Miles StoreyInverness Caledonian Thistle3———3
Marley WatkinsInverness Caledonian Thistle3———3
Barry WilsonInverness Caledonian Thistle3———3
Greg TanseyInverness Caledonian Thistle2—1—3
Steve HislopInverness Caledonian Thistle1——13
Ross County1———
Richie ForanInverness Caledonian Thistle12——3
Ross StewartRoss County12——3
Jordan WhiteInverness Caledonian Thistle12——3
Michael GardyneRoss County111—3

Managerial records

As of 2 April 2021. Minimum 5 Highland Derby games as manager.

NameTeamYearsOverall RecordLeague Record
GamesWinsWin %GamesWinsWin %
John HughesInverness Caledonian Thistle2013–201610660.00%9666.66%
Ross County2020–2021100.00%000.00%
Steve PatersonInverness Caledonian Thistle1995–200218950.00%18950.00%
Terry ButcherInverness Caledonian Thistle2009–201311545.45%8337.50%
Robert WilsonRoss County1987–19968337.50%8337.50%
Jim McIntyreRoss County2014–201711436.36%10330.00%
Stuart Kettlewell and Steven FergusonRoss County2018–20206233.33%4250%
Derek AdamsRoss County2007–2010,
2011–2014		14428.57%11443%
John RobertsonInverness Caledonian Thistle2002–2004,
2017–2021		14428.57%10220.00%
Alex SmithRoss County2002–20058225.00%6233.33%
Neale CooperRoss County1996–200214214.28%14214.28%

Notable players and managers of both clubs

A number of players have played for both clubs. Craig Brewster is a former player and manager of ICT who then played for and coached Ross County.[11] John Robertson and John Hughes have had spells as manager at both clubs.

Among the players who have featured for both sides are:

Clubs' honours

These are the football honours of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County since they joined the Scottish League in 1994–95:

National TitlesInverness Caledonian ThistleRoss County
First Division/Championship2 (2/0)2 (1/1)
Second Division/League One1 (0/1)1 (1/0)
Third Division11
Scottish Cup1—
Scottish League Cup—1
Scottish Challenge Cup33
Total88

These are the football honours of Caledonian, Inverness Thistle and Ross County until they joined the Scottish League in 1994–95:

National CompetitionCaledonianInverness ThistleRoss County
Highland Football League1883
Highland League Cup534
North of Scotland Cup20134
Total432411

References

  1. ^ Amy MacBeath (19 February 2019). "Inverness CT v Ross County: 25 years of Scotland's friendly rivalry". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  2. ^ Bannerman, Charles (30 March 2010). "Inverness CT 3–0 Ross County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  3. ^ McLeod, Graeme (12 April 2008). "Highland clubs reluctant to join SFL ranks". The Scotsman. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  4. ^ "Highlands 'buzzing' ahead of first SPL derby of the season". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  5. ^ "Inverness C T 3 Ross County 1: Clubs' first competitive meeting in the top flight proves worth the wait". heraldscotland. Herald & Times Group. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  6. ^ "McKay settles Cold Firm clash". PA Sport. Yahoo! and Eurosport. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  7. ^ Fraser, Alasdair (5 May 2010). "Highland football has never had it so good after County's Cup run and Caley promotion, say Wilsons". Daily Record. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  8. ^ "Highland Football Academy launched". Scottish Government. 10 April 2002. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  9. ^ "About Us". Highland Football Academy. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  10. ^ "All time results between Inverness CT and Ross County". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  11. ^ "Ross County sign Brewster at 42". BBC Sport. 5 February 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  12. ^ "Hislop in Highland switch". BBC Sport. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  13. ^ "Reguero Joins". Ross County website. 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014.
  14. ^ "Inverness pair join Ross County". BBC Sport. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2010.