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By David Sharp
1430: That was a wonderfully absorbing first SPL weekend of 2009. Thanks for all your lively banter. Time for a hot toddy. Bye for now!
1429: Don't forget to log on here at 1800 GMT today to watch all the thrills and spills, goals and gaffes from Saturday's five SPL games. The highlights from today's Highland fling will be online at midnight. Worth watching for Mendes' humdinger alone.
1427: The Sportsound boys on BBC Radio Scotland named Barry Ferguson as their top dog this afternoon. The Rangers skipper was chief puppet-meister once he was switched to a midfield holding role. You've plumped for Pedro Mendes on the good old Player Rater with a final-whistle score of 8.15. He had a fine game and scored a world-class goal.
1425: "I don't care what people say, but for all the guy looks like he's doing nothing, up pops big Boydy to score the vital second. I love that guy." fiftytwoandcounting on My Sport Join the debate
And the third too. The moody blue is a riddle wrapped in a puzzle inside a conundrum enveloped in a mystery. Like a goal-scoring sphinx.
1423: Chris Burke was excellent when he came on. Unfortunately for Rangers fans, being of a delicate Victorian disposition, the poor little sparrow will probably be out for the next month with a sniffle. He must stop working up chimneys and hanging about with those pesky Fagin kids. The Artful Dodger is leading him astray...
1421: "Whoever said Caley cannae get players to move north makes an interesting point. Teams in remote, unfashionable areas such as Caley, Ross County and Plymouth down south have struggled before but generally do well. But Aberdeen seem to do well in attracting decent players so who knows?" bombertrublu on My Sport Join the debate
1420: "One goal of great quality lifted Rangers and demoralised Inverness. Mendes bending in that quality finish totally changed the game and Inverness lost their way." BBC Scotland pundit Billy Dodds
1418:Full-time: Inverness CT 0-3 Rangers. A vibrant second-half performance from Walter Smith's side who close the gap on Celtic to five points at the top of the SPL.
1417: Novo lashes a snap-shot wide of the target.
1416: "I always found Inverness a very approaching city. There is usually a hostile atmosphere to southern Scots up north, but Inverness isn't included in that (shrug)." fiftytwoandcounting on My Sport Join the debate
I concur with that. Inverness is a lovely, friendly city. Very picturesque location too.
1415: "The big thing for me has been Barry Ferguson moving back to sit just in front of the defence. He has been rolling balls into Davis and Mendes. He has played very well." BBC Radio Scotland pundit John Robertson
I completely agree with John. Davis has been far livelier since Ferguson retreated to a holding role and Burke has added much-needed width to the Rangers formation. Those two changes have swung the game in the visitors' favour.
1414: Just as well Walter Smith chose not to bring on Kyle 'The human giraffe' Lafferty (Gilafferty!) in place of goal-machine Kris Boyd! By the way, the gangling Northern Irishman makes Peter Crouch look like Verne Troyer...he's a flailing jumble of telescopic arms and legs...I bet he dances like the late Ian Curtis of Joy Division...
1413: That's Kris Boyd's 20th goal of the season for Rangers and his 91st in total since moving from Kilmarnock in January 2006. And some people moan that 'all he does is score goals'! Isn't that the point of the game? Doh!
1412: Goal! Inverness CT 0-3 Rangers Lovely cross from Chris Burke, floated to the back post where Kris Boyd rises to nod the ball over the line. Game well-and-truly over. It's Goodnight Vienna for Caley Thistle.
1410: "I heard Neil Lennon got the new Football Manager for Xmas. Good choice, seeing as that's as close as he'll get to management (waits for inevitable retorts, vis-a-vis super Ally)." god_is_a_gers_man on My Sport Join the debate
Ooooh cheeky!
1409: A text to 80295 questions how Caley Thistle can progress. "Do you think the only thing hindering Inverness Caley is the city's location? Most quality players will not move up to the north of Scotland." Shane, Nairn.
Interesting point Shane. Any opinions on that puzzler? Join the debate
1407: Goal! Inverness CT 0-2 Rangers Steven Davis flicks a neat reverse pass through to Kris Boyd who arrows a low drive past Esson. Game probably over.
1406. Caley Thistle's Barrowman thunders a shot that comes off McGregor's chest and bounces away. That was another great effort.
1405: Burke goes close with an opportunistic strike from 25-yards.
1404: Steven Whittaker comes on for the struggling Mendes.
1403: "Re 1350: I guess McGeady got all the toys in the store, so he could promptly throw them out his pram - wahey!" super_hype on My Sport Join the debate
Ha ha! That's a good one!
1402: Novo pirouette's on the edge of the Inverness box and unleashes a blistering drive, but Esson plucks it from the air in composed fashion.
1400: Mendes has pulled up and is receiving the magic sponge treatment. Kyle Lafferty is preparing to replace Boyd. The substitution is on hold until the Ibrox bench assess Mendes' fitness.
1359: Craig Brewster swaps one young player for another as Adam Rooney takes to the field to fill the boots of Iain Vigurs.
1358: "Re 1350: For some hair straighteners, mirrors, new tights and a new set of boots for some." the_bhoy_joe_going_for_4IAR on My Sport Join the debate
1356: Davis hits a left-foot volley narrowly over Esson's bar.
1354: Novo breaks at speed and threads a slide-rule pass through to Mendes on the left but it runs too far for the Portugese. He swivels and plays the ball into the box. Caley Thistle defender Tokely rushes onto the ball with wild abandon, like Mr Blobby, and nearly scores a bizarre own-goal; his all-the-way-down-the-trouser-leg-blunderbuss-shot-cum-clearance is saved by Esson.
1352: Caley Thistle have a direct free-kick in a dangerous area, on the edge of the Rangers box, in the middle of the D. But Imrie's attempetd curler hits the Rangers wall and rebounds clear. That was a waste.
1351: Ian Black trots off to be replaced by Dougie Imrie.
1350: A member of our online team saw Pedro Mendes in a well-known toy store before Christmas. It's got us wondering, what was the most popular toy for professional footballers this year?
1348: "It's not been a dirty game today - both teams have been trying to pass the ball and play good football." John Robertson pipes up again with more sage analysis
1347: "He's put in a good shift, he's showing his frustration there."BBC Scotland pundit John Robertson notes that subbed Rangers striker Kenny Miller looks none too happy at making way for Chris Burke.
1346: Through my binoculars I spy the extremely rare, lesser-spotted Chris Burke, stripped and ready for action. And freshly-shorn too, scalped of his trademark Shaggy-from-Scooby-Doo barnet. I think he's going to replace the out-of-sorts Kenny Miller.
Novo will switch to the middle to partner Boyd. Burkey will bring much-sought after width to the visitors.
1344: "I think ICT have worked the break away very well and are unlucky not to be leading. If they had a descent finisher who knows." the_bhoy_joe_going_for_4IAR on My Sport Join the debate
I agree Joe. But Caley Thistle will be feeling awfy hard done by at the moment after their good work in the first half.
1342: Novo pounces on a loose ball and fires a fizzing snap-shot into the side-netting.
1340: "I'm guessing Usain Bolt's emergency treatment went well then?"TheKarlICT on My Sport Join the debate
I guess so Karl. Mendes' strike was a contender for goal of the season.
1338: Barrowman goes close to an equaliser. His header loops just over McGregor's bar.
1337: "Nice one Pedro. That's the way to do it. Now let's get a few more." Jerry via text. Work those thumbs and message 80295.
1336: Boyd rifles a trademark free-kick straight into the Caley Thistle wall. The Rangers striker labours under the delusion that he is some kind set-piece wizard. He's not. Motherwell's Bob 'Herc-from-The-Wire' Malcolm is.
1335: A quick reminder of the teams... Inverness CT: Esson, Tokely, Proctor, Munro, Hastings, McBain, Duncan, Black, Vigurs, Barrowman, Cowie. Subs: Fraser, Djebi-Zadi, Rooney, Imrie, Sutherland, Wood, Duff.
1334: David Proctor gets the first yellow card of the afternoon for steaming into the back of Kenny Miller.
1333: "We talked about quality - and that had quality stamped all over it. Unfortunately, Ian Black slipped - but 25-yards out - he just picked his spot, and that's the one thing Inverness didn't want. It's all about character now, they have to get back into this game - and quickly." BBC Scotland pundit John Robertson
1331: Goal! Inverness CT 0-1 Rangers Novo hares down the left wing and pings a pass to Davis on the edge of the Caley Thistle box who in turn back-heels the ball to Pedro Mendes who curls an absolute peach of a strike high beyond Esson in to the far corner of the net. What a goal!
1330: And we're away again!
1326: Time for a half-time cuppa and a choccie biscuit.
1325: "1231: 'Rangers have come out of the blocks like Usain Bolt.' I assume Usain Bolt pulled a couple of hamstrings at 12.32?' the_bhoy_joe_going_for_4IAR on My Sport Join the debate
Ha ha! Nice one Joe! Indeed, Rangers got off to a flyer but pulled up after 10 yards with a pesky hamstring. They're currently receiving emergency treatment for what specialists believe could be a career-threatening injury.
1323: Get Ferguson off the park and sell him. Get Novo up front replacing Miller or Boyd, I don't care which one. Stardog on My Sport Join the debate
1320: Rangers have absolutely NO width. Every single passage of play goes through the middle and Caley Thistle are mopping it up with ease. The Ibrox side need a winger or two.
Novo is completely ineffective as a wide man. He's being played out of position and subsequently spent the first half scampering around like a headless chicken. Walter Smith will get far more out of the Spanish striker if he plays him through the middle. Ditto Steven Davis. The Northern Irishman is equally wasted in a wide midfield role.
1319: "Rangers are in real danger of overplaying. Sometimes as a team you need to be more direct. Inverness have probably created the better chances, and they certainly had a great chance with Vigurs' header." BBC Scotland pundit Billy Dodds
1317: Caley Thistle are left to rue squandering several excellent chances to score in that opening 45 minutes. Will they live to regret their profligacy in front of goal? Join the debate
1315: Half-time: Inverness CT 0-0 Rangers. Dismal fare. Heartening stuff for Caley Thistle though. Craig Brwster will be
1313: It's all happening now! Miller is scythed on the edge of the Inverness box by Munro but Mendes' resulting free-kick harmlessly ricochets off the wall and Tokely clears.
1312: Vigurs beats McGregor with a sizzling strike but the ball hits the side-netting. Close but no cigar.
1310: "You just feel if Barry Ferguson or Pedro Mendes got a chance, they could open up Inverness and change the match." BBC Scotland pundit John Robertson
IF they get a chance John! That's a giant IF. At this rate they could play all day and not create a single chance.
1307: Black fires another squiggler, this time from further out than Cowie and, again, McGregor spills the ball. But he's safe because he's alone in the box and calmly collects at the second attempt.
1306: Nowt happening at all. The stadium has gone deathly quiet. There's about as much atmosphere in the ground as a NASA space simulator.
1303: "Novo must stay! Ferguson can go to Newcastle, I'll even get the ferry over and drive him down myself if he wants! Kevin Thomson is the midfielder we miss the most at the moment." Text from Ian Hoy, Belfast. Get teen texting on 80295
1302: Whatever sparkle this match had has completely gone. It has as much fizz as a week-old bottle of Irn Bru. Ten minutes to half time. For Pete's sake, rouse, rouse! Incidentally, who is this 'Pete'?
1300: Only five wins in 10 away games this season for Rangers compared to eight for Celtic. The Parkhead men have been far more ruthless on their travels, and the league table reflects that. This game reflects that: Rangers are as limp as Carry On star Charles Hawtrey out there.
1258: The floodlights are still off. What happens when it gets darker? It's a gloomy afternoon already up there...
1256: Rangers have gone a bit flat. They will have to rouse themselves from their stupor if they're to get the win they so badly crave.
1254: There's a lull in the proceedings...no there's not! Don Cowie's squiggler bounces awkwardly in front of McGregor and he spills it but recovers well to gather at the feet of the lurking Vigurs. Another good effort on goal from the home side.
1252: "It's an even game, Rangers have started confidently, but Inverness have been defensive and they've done exactly what they set out to do - it's an even game so far." BBC Scotland pundit John Robertson
1249: "Craig Brewster looks like a manager that has run out of ideas. The fans have run out of patience with and want him out." Doc in Aberdeen via text on 80295
1248: A complete power loss sees the floodlights go off and BBC Scotland's radio coverage also conks out.
1246: McBain sends a teasing cross into the Rangers six-yard box and Vigurs gets a head to it (his own head!) but McGregor pulls off a terrific reaction save. That was the best chance yet for either side but Vigurs header was straight at the Rangers goalie.
A bit like that Christian Dailly one for Scotland against England at Wemberley back in 1999 when he rocketed a point-blank header straight at David Seaman. If it had sclaffed off any other part of his napper it would have gone in and Scotland would have taken the Auld Enemy into extra time in their European Championship playoff.
Like Dailly, Vigur's header was too good. Does that make any sense?
1242: Novo spots Esson miles off his line and launches an audacious 50-yard lob that soars narrowly over the Inverness keeper's bar.
1240: Mendes releases Novo down the left flank and the little Spaniard gambols past Ross Tokely but his cross into the box is powder-puff and the ball is hoofed clear of danger.
1237: The home side awake from their new year hangover and spring to life. Vigurs is thwarted by Weir as he bursts into the Rangers box. Better stuff from Caley Thistle.
1235: Neat play from Ferguson and Miller. The latter whips a great first-time ball through to strike-partner Kris Boyd but it narrowly eludes him and Ryan Esson collects easily.
1233: "Am I seeing this right? Novo has a start over Charlie Adams. Is Walter Smith feeling ok. A smile on my face today then? I hope we manage to win today given the paranoid clan managed to drop two points yesterday. Boyd & Miller need to click early doors and settle the team. I bet it's a cold one, good luck lads make my day." BahrainBEAR on My Sport Join the debate
Don't adjust your goggles; your eyes are not deceiving you.
1232: What sort of reception will the home fans give their midfielder Ian Black, who is off to Tynecastle in the summer?
1231: Rangers have come out of the blocks like Usain Bolt.
1230: And we're off!
1228: The teams are on the pitch. Caley Thistle are looking to arrest a horrible slide: they've lost their last five games. And only fellow-teuchters Elgin City have a worse home record in British senior football.
1226: "A very scrappy 1-0 Rangers win today with Boyd scoring from a set piece midway through the second half." govanwest on My Sport Join the debate
1224: The natives are rather restless in the Highlands. Some Inverness fans have unfurled a 'Brewster Out' banner outside the Caledonian Stadium. The Inverness boss will be feeling the heat even more if his side fail to take something from this game.
1222: "As long as Rangers score first we will win with ease. If we go behind or fail to score early doors we will drop points as out away form has showed this season." TheRealWYP on My Sport Join the debate
1219: "A potentially tricky game for the Gers but one we SHOULD win and one we basically have to win. Seems Bougherra and Novo are back in the team." Boogie Bear on My Sport Join the debate
They are indeed back. You're spot on: Rangers SHOULD win but they've stuttered on the road all season and desperate Caley Thistle will be like a cornered dog, fighting for their SPL survival.
1216: Charlie Adam and Steven Whittaker drop out of the Rangers side. Both were dreadful in the Old Firm defeat last weekend. Adam doesn't even make the bench. Makes a mockery of Walter Smith's baffling selection of him for the Celtic game. I don't know about you guys out there but I think the former (on-loan at) St Mirren man is proper mince?
1213: Does Bougherra's appearance slightly quash the growing speculation that he's heading south during the January transfer window? Join the debate
1212: Inverness make two changes: Hearts-bound Ian Black returns to midfield after missing last week's game through flu. Iain Vigurs also returns. Garry Wood and Dougie Imrie drop to the bench.
1211: Rangers have won their last five games against Caley Thistle, including a 5-0 thrashing of the Highlanders back in November.
1208: Early team news from the wintry north-east: Madjid Bougherra and Nacho Novo are in the Rangers starting line-up.
1205: Good afternoon, all. Looks like it will be, um, "fresh" in the Highlands this afternoon, where Inverness Caley Thistle will be desperate to move off the bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
A win for Craig Brewster's troops will lift them to 10th position in the league.
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