Post split games against Inverness Caley Thistle have never been good if you're a Saints fan. This will be our fifth and in the previous four we've accrued the grand total of one goal and one point. Admittedly the first two were meaningless but the others most certainly weren't and saw shocking performances, last year's meeting suggesting Hamilton may well do the impossible and overhaul us before we rescued ourselves. The couple I've seen at home weren't exactly crackers so don't expect this one to be either with both sides having little to play for - although we are still in the running to finish top of the bottom six.
Almost as bad as our post-split form against the Highlanders is our record against them at our new home. We comfortably saw them off at Love Street in December 2008 but since then have managed one point from four Paisley meetings. We seem to have returned to the days of the early 2000s when we struggled to beat Caley Thistle, although we have at least avoided the usual drubbings and managerial sackings that followed. Hopefully Terry Butcher won't bring Paul Ritchie back for this one.
Tomorrow will be the final time Hugh Murray turns out for Saints at home. I've already covered his contribution to the club in a separate article this week but his years of service surely earn him one more appearance in front of the Paisley faithful - and tomorrow should be his last game for the club. There is no point giving him a send off at Aberdeen next week in front of a few hundred Saints fans. He deserves to start in front of a few thousand so we can all give him the farewell he deserves - and if that means dropping someone who is in form then so be it. Steven Thomson should also be afforded one last hurrah at home - although recent substitutions suggest he may be used tactically at Pittodrie next week!
At the other end of the age scale time is running out for Thomas Reilly and Jason Naismith to get some first team experience. Danny Lennon said that they would be involved after the split but, aside from Reilly making a 20 minute sub appearance against Dunfermline, that hasn't happened. It's a shame as we rarely get the chance to blood our youngsters like this and the pair are highly rated so it would be good to see what they're made of. Perhaps the lure of seventh place and a bigger budget for next season means Danny Lennon isn't willing to risk it.
Chances are we'll see the same sort of team that beat Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, Murray and Thomson probably having to make do with sub appearances for their final home appearances. If we're really serious about going for seventh place that's fair enough - after all that side did win and keep a clean sheet into the bargain! Marc McAusland is available again and could replace Darren McGregor if two games in four days is deemed as a bit too risky for him. Aside from that it'll probably be as you were, with Steven Thompson probably needing two or three goals if he's realistic about reaching the 20 goal mark this season.
This has been a rather disappointing season for Inverness Caley Thistle. They spent their first few years after promotion fighting to finish in the top six and resumed that quest after surprisingly being relegated in 2009. However this season they didn't come close to managing that and haven't been involved in the relegation scrap either. It's been similar to our campaign, but while we're quite relieved that our improvement has seen us in mid table obscurity rather than the relegation battle Caley Thistle fans will be annoyed at their side taking a step backward.
Terry Butcher is frustrated too and has let rip at his players in more than one post match press conference this season. His comments are often quite entertaining but his side's performances have been no laughing matter this year. It hasn't been helped by constant injury problems and he's hardly ever been able to put out the same defence, let alone the same side. With those problems in mind it wouldn't be a surprise to see him repeat last season's clear out and bring in some fresh faces over the summer.
A couple of the players he picked up last year have done fairly well. Gregory Tade seemed to have a reputation for being a good athlete but average footballer while plying his trade in the SFL but has scored a fair number of goals this season - although he has an uncanny knack of missing sitters while scoring screamers! Andrew Shinnie has also proved an astute signing although picked up a serious injury a few months back, leaving brother Graeme to carry the Shinnie name in battle. Striker Billy McKay has also looked dangerous at times.
However, the real star - as it was last season - has been Johnny Hayes. He seemed to lose his way a bit towards the end of last season but recaptured it as 2011 wore on and has been unstoppable at times this season, contributing a terrific eight goals from midfield. There are rumours that he'll end up at Saints in the summer, although that story seems to be based on little more than some Twitter silliness. He would be a good acquisition but you can't help but feel he's destined for bigger things - Aberdeen among the clubs supposedly tracking his progress.
Someone we hopefully won't sign is Ross Tokely, who somehow still gets a gig at Caley Thistle after all these years. The clogging defender will no doubt be afforded his usual reception by the Paisley public tomorrow and it's fully deserved after his disgraceful challenge on Chris Kerr all those years ago. He's the last of the long serving Jags at the club, although guys like David Proctor and keeper Ryan Esson have been there a fair few years as well. Richie Foran is also entering his fourth season with the club but seems to play in midfield rather than up front these days.
Follow Mirren Mad on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mirrenmad
Follow Mirren Mad on Twitter @mirren_mad or http://www.twitter.com/mirren_mad