Celtic Scottish Cup semi-final triumph was Caley Thistle’s ‘greatest day’ - Fans remember dramatic Hampden Park upset 10 years on
“Shinnie again, what a chance here, and it’s put in by Raven! This is astonishing, this is extraordinary, Inverness are back on the search of the Scottish Cup final!” - Ian Crocker, Sky Sports
Words that Caley Thistle fans have undoubtedly heard again and again over the past decade when recollecting that dramatic, special day in the Glasgow sunshine at Hampden Park on 19th April 2015.
10 Years ago today, ICT pulled off one of their greatest ever victories when they defeated Celtic 3-2 in the 2015 Scottish Cup semi-final, a victory which would progress them to the final against Falkirk leading to Scottish Cup glory for Caley Thistle on 30th May 2015.
A game that was filled with just about everything that you can think of including a red card, a penalty, a last minute winner in extra-time, and of course some memorable controversial decisions throughout the match.
A Virgil van Dijk free kick put Celtic 1-0 up in the first half of the match before an infamous incident saw officials fail to notice ICT defender Josh Meekings block an almost certain Celtic goal off the line with his arm. With the match occuring before the introduction of VAR , the incident would have almost certainly led to a red card if the fixture was played today.
Caley Thistle’s fortunes shifted in the second half, and a reckless attempt to tackle Marley Watkins saw Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon sent off. ICT were awarded a penalty which was conveted by Greg Tansey to equalise, and it would remain 1-1 until full time leading to extra time.
Cult hero Edward Ofere put Inverness in front for the first time on the 96th minute, nutmegging now Premier League and Champions League winner Virgil van Dijk in the process. Celtic however were level again before extra-time half time when John Guidetti scored a free kick.
Then on the 117th minute, right back David Raven stepped up to score the all important winner with some crucial play in the build up between Watkins and Graeme Shinnie allowing Raven to convert from the back post and send Caley Thistle through to the final.
Thousands of Caley Thistle fans flocked to Hampden Park 10 years ago, with a mixture of expectation of defeat from many and quiet optimism from others.
ICT fan Sandy Sutherland, who wrote a song ahead of the team’s Scottish Cup final in 2015 and again in 2023, said he didn’t have much confidence going into the match.
“I wasn't particularly anxious about the game, I was convinced we'd get leathered. Our league form at the time wasn't great but longer it stayed at 1-0 we were still in the game.
Sandy also spoke of his surprise at how the day ended up becoming one of the most memorable in all of the years he has followed the club.
““It was a special day for me personally being there with a group of friends who had been through the thick and thin following ICT, and being behind the goal when Raven clipped in the winning goal? No other sport gives you that level of elation. It's what inspired my cup final tune.
“We've now seen Van Dijk go on to combat the likes of Kane and Haaland. Does he still get nightmares about Eddie Ofere?”
Chris Grant, who previously ran ICT fan page ‘North Stand Rising’ also spoke of how special the day was to him.
“I went down with my entire family to Glasgow with hope more than anything that we could pull off something special.
“I couldn’t bare to watch Tansey’s penalty. I celebrated when everyone else did.
“Ofere’s goal was brilliant. Showed two future world class centre backs how it’s done.
“It took me ages to realise Raven had actually scored, afterwards it was just shock.
“One of the best days of my life. A special time with a special team.”
Long-term season ticket holder Kenny Cameron mentioned that the result was one of the greatest days in his time supporting ICT.
“I remember Watkins rounding Gordon and being taken down leading to the penalty and the red card and thinking, is this a dream?
“That changed everything going forward, it is one of the club’s greatest days.”
