Inverness icon Billy Mckay made it 100 goals for the Highlanders with a Hampden double to ease Billy Dodds’ side into the Scottish Cup Final with a 3-0 win over Falkirk.
The 34-year-old slotted home a fifth minute spot kick and followed up with a close range volley early in the second half to hit the century mark in his third spell with the club. In between times Hibs’ loanee Dan Mackay headed home a second as the Bairns were made to pay for schoolboy defending.
But it was all about Mckay as the talisman hit the landmark and ensured he has a chance to make up for his missed medal with the Caley Jags eight years ago - when ironically they also beat Falkirk at the national stadium Neither side had ever experienced VAR before their trip to Hampden.
But just five minutes in they had their first taste of the video technology when ref Nick Walsh was sent to the monitor to take a closer look after Wallace Duffy’s cross clipped Leon McCann’s arm.
Mckay made no mistake as, cool as you like, he sent Brian Kinnear the wrong way from the spot. The Bairns should have levelled five minutes later when Callum Morrison fired against the post of an unguarded goal after Mark Ridgers had raced from his line and miscued his clearance.
John McGlynn’s side were playing some neat stuff as they looked to drag themselves back level with quarter final hero Kai Kennedy having licence to roam but unfortunately for Falkirk frontman Rumarn Burrell proved ineffectual.
St Johnstone loanee Max Kucheriavyi headed straight at Ridgers and Caley Thistle defender Robbie Deas heroically blocked two goalbound efforts from Kennedy and Kucheriavyi in quick succession as the Bairns knocked heavily at the door.
But the Highlanders looked more powerful across the park and proved lethal on the counter as they doubled their lead shortly after the half hour. Billy Mckay held the ball up for Jay Henderson who whipped over a cross from the right and Daniel Mackay rose unmarked to power a header beyond the helpless Kinnear from 10 yards.
Falkirk continued to push for a route back into the encounter after the break. But they were put to the sword after 57 minutes when Mckay struck again from yet another cross. This time it was Daniel Mackay who was provider as he found himself in acres of space on the left to fire over a deep cross which Mckay timed his run perfectly to finish.
Bairns sub Gary Oliver was presented with a golden opportunity to pull a goal back in the 66th minute after Deas was short with a passback. But after an almighty scramble his effort was headed off the line by the grounded Danny Devine as Inverness’ ability to throw themselves in front of everything paid off again.
At the other end Nathan Shaw was denied by the upright not once but twice as Caley looked to extend their lead. Goal hero Mckay went off to a standing ovation with 10 minutes to go and with the game long finished as a contest.
Dodds and his players now face a June 3 date with destiny against one of the Old Firm as they look to get their hands on the trophy for a second time. Here are 5 talking points from the game:
Mckay the Caley Centurion
Not for the first time in his career Billy Mckay proved to be the big difference on the big occasion as he made it 100 goals for Inverness. What an occasion to do it. The 34-year-old was the coolest man in Hampden as he slotted home the early penalty and showed all his experience to hold the ball up and start the move for Inverness’ second goal. He then completed his afternoon with a controlled volley for the third and clinching goal.
Power, intelligence and a nose for goal, Mckay is one of the best if not THE best strikers outside the Premiership. That’s 19 for the season now and a few more strikes could see him back there next season via the play-offs. McKay left Inverness months before their 2015 Hampden glory. He’ll get a shot at making up for that missed medal next month.
Caley on regardless
Inverness Caley Thistle have certainly made the most of their second bite at the Scottish Cup cherry. Knocked out by Queen’s Park in the fourth round back in January but reinstated when it transpired the Glasgow side had fielded an ineligible player, Caley have now gone three rounds deeper and set up a final shot at glory against either Celtic or Rangers.
Lucky? You make your own luck in this game and beating Livingston and Kilmarnock to reach this afternoon’s semi final took a lot more than luck. Billy Dodds’ side have now lost just one of their last 12 games in all competitions and it’s clear to see why.
They defended like their lives depended on it when required and possessed a far more clinical edge than the Bairns up top. All round the Championship side proved to be more streetwise than their third-tier opponents and could have ran out even bigger winners.
Bairns lacking in both boxes
Falkirk were bidding to become only second team in history to make the final from the third tier of Scottish football after Gretna. But despite enjoying neat passages of play and having two livewires in Kai Kennedy and Max Kucheriavyi they failed to capitalise on any opening created. On top of that John McGlynn will be asking questions about his defence’s marking at the second and third goals as the Bairns were undone by three goals resulting from three crosses.
No grounds for complaint
It’s hard to deny players and supporters a day out at Hampden after doing the hard yards to reach the semi final of the national cup competition. Especially when it’s two clubs from outwith the top tier. And, despite the stadium being less than half full, it proved to be the right decision. TV might not have picked up but both sets of supporters did their best to create a decent atmosphere helped, undoubtedly, by the early goal. Critics will have a field day with the empty sections behind both goals and the 12.15pm kick off certainly never helped the travelling support from the Highlands. Would staging the game at a ground such as Tynecastle or Easter Road have produced a better atmosphere? Undoubtedly. But would it have been fair on the players and fans? No. These players will cherish this memory, no doubt the Caley Jags stars more, and for some it will likely be their only experience of the national stadium.
Pitch perfect
Michael Beale may have concerns about the Hampden surface after the last set of semi finals here back in January combined with the heavy downpours through the week. But there was no evidence the lush surface will be in anything less than perfect condition when the Old Firm take to the park this afternoon.
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