# Highland derby

The Highland derby 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. 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. The first match between the sides was a Third Division contest, played on 27 August 1994 at Victoria Park, won 3–1 by Inverness.
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. 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).
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) or "The Cold Firm" (a pun on the Old Firm).
The relationship between the clubs is unusual in that there is "a level of goodwill" between them. For example, both clubs closely co-operate in the Highland Football Academy.

### 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. Inverness have won more league, Scottish Cup and Challenge Cup matches, with the teams tied in League Cup matches.
    As of 2 April 2021
| Team | League | Scottish Cup | League Cup | Challenge Cup | Total |
| Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 22 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 27 |
| Ross County | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Draw | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 18 |

## Matches played

League
| | | Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Ross County | Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Ross County | Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Ross County | Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Ross County | Ross County v Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Ross County v Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Ross County v Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Ross County v Inverness Caledonian Thistle |
| Season | Division | Date | Venue | Score | Attendance | Date | Venue | Score | Attendance |
| 1994–95 | Third Division | 29 Oct 1994 | Telford Street Park | 0 – 0 | 2,440 | 27 Aug 1994 | Victoria Park | 1 – 3 | 3,157 |
| 1994–95 | Third Division | 6 May 1995 | Telford Street Park | 3 – 0 | 3,562 | 2 Jan 1995 | Victoria Park | 3 – 1 | 2,749 |
| 1995–96 | Third Division | 30 Sep 1995 | Telford Street Park | 1 – 1 | 3,625 | 18 Nov 1995 | Victoria Park | 2 – 0 | 4,288 |
| 1995–96 | Third Division | 23 Jan 1996 | Telford Street Park | 1 – 1 | 4,931 | 16 Mar 1996 | Victoria Park | 2 – 1 | 3,670 |
| 1996–97 | Third Division | 16 Nov 1996 | Caledonian Stadium | 2 – 0 | 4,562 | 28 Sep 1996 | Victoria Park | 1 – 3 | 3,598 |
| 1996–97 | Third Division | 15 Mar 1997 | Caledonian Stadium | 3 – 0 | 5,525 | 12 Feb 1997 | Victoria Park | 0 – 3 | 5,017 |
| 2000–01 | First Division | 16 Sep 2000 | Caledonian Stadium | 0 – 1 | 4,823 | 18 Nov 2000 | Victoria Park | 0 – 3 | 5,721 |
| 2000–01 | First Division | 2 Jan 2001 | Caledonian Stadium | 3 – 3 | 5,291 | 31 Mar 2001 | Victoria Park | 0 – 1 | 5,876 |
| 2001–02 | First Division | 17 Nov 2001 | Caledonian Stadium | 3 – 0 | 4,513 | 15 Sep 2001 | Victoria Park | 2 – 1 | 4,679 |
| 2001–02 | First Division | 23 Mar 2002 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 1 | 4,685 | 19 Mar 2002 | Victoria Park | 0 – 0 | 4,414 |
| 2002–03 | First Division | 24 Aug 2002 | Caledonian Stadium | 2 – 0 | 3,669 | 9 Nov 2002 | Victoria Park | 0 – 2 | 5,449 |
| 2002–03 | First Division | 25 Feb 2003 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 5 | 3,443 | 8 Mar 2003 | Victoria Park | 0 – 2 | 4,621 |
| 2003–04 | First Division | 14 Nov 2003 | Caledonian Stadium | 3 – 3 | 3,523 | 30 Aug 2003 | Victoria Park | 1 – 1 | 5,020 |
| 2003–04 | First Division | 27 Mar 2004 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 0 | 4,019 | 3 Jan 2004 | Victoria Park | 1 – 0 | 6,120 |
| 2009–10 | First Division | 29 Aug 2009 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 3 | 5,846 | 7 Nov 2009 | Victoria Park | 2 – 1 | 5,506 |
| 2009–10 | First Division | 30 Mar 2010 | Caledonian Stadium | 3 – 0 | 5,411 | 20 Mar 2010 | Victoria Park | 0 – 0 | 5,928 |
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 5 Oct 2012 | Caledonian Stadium | 3 – 1 | 6,766 | 2 Mar 2013 | Victoria Park | 0 – 0 | 5,959 |
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 16 Mar 2013 | Caledonian Stadium | 2 – 1 | 5,750 | 19 May 2013 | Victoria Park | 1 – 0 | 6,002 |
| 2013–14 | Premiership | 1 Jan 2014 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 2 | 4,332 | 25 Feb 2014 | Victoria Park | 0 – 3 | 4,805 |
| 2013–14 | Premiership | | | | | 4 Apr 2014 | Victoria Park | 1 – 2 | 4,433 |
| 2014–15 | Premiership | 5 Oct 2014 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 1 | 3,741 | 1 Jan 2015 | Victoria Park | 1 – 3 | 4,887 |
| 2014–15 | Premiership | 31 Jan 2015 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 1 | 4,021 | | | | |
| 2015–16 | Premiership | 2 Jan 2016 | Caledonian Stadium | 2 – 0 | 5,388 | 3 Oct 2015 | Victoria Park | 1 – 2 | 5,473 |
| 2015–16 | Premiership | | | | | 19 Mar 2016 | Victoria Park | 0 – 3 | 5,912 |
| 2016–17 | Premiership | 13 Aug 2016 | Caledonian Stadium | 2 – 3 | 4,204 | 31 Dec 2016 | Victoria Park | 3 – 2 | 5,111 |
| 2016–17 | Premiership | 18 Mar 2017 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 1 | 4,123 | 28 Apr 2017 | Victoria Park | 4 – 0 | 4,928 |
| 2018–19 | Championship | 3 Nov 2018 | Caledonian Stadium | 2 – 2 | 4,353 | 22 Sep 2018 | Victoria Park | 0 – 0 | 6,402 |
| 2018–19 | Championship | 2 Apr 2019 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 2 | 3,795 | 29 Dec 2018 | Victoria Park | 2 – 1 | 6,313 |

### Cups

| Season | Division | Round | Date | Venue | Score | Attendance |
| 2003–04 | Challenge Cup | Quarter-final | 26 Aug 2003 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 0 | 2,631 |
| 2004–05 | League Cup | Second round | 24 Aug 2004 | Victoria Park | 0 – 1 | 3,315 |
| 2009–10 | Challenge Cup | Semi-final | 4 Oct 2009 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 0 | 2,755 |
| 2012–13 | Scottish Cup | Fourth round | 1 Dec 2012 | Victoria Park | 3 – 3 | 5,077 |
| 2012–13 | Scottish Cup | Fourth round replay | 11 Dec 2012 | Caledonian Stadium | 2 – 1 | 4,135 |
| 2015–16 | League Cup | Quarter-final | 27 Oct 2015 | Caledonian Stadium | 1 – 2 | 3,004 |
| 2018–19 | Scottish Cup | Fifth round | 11 Feb 2019 | Victoria Park | 2 – 2 | 2,600 |
| 2018–19 | Scottish Cup | Fifth round replay | 19 Feb 2019 | Caledonian Stadium | 2 – 2 | 3,608 |
| 2020–21 | Scottish Cup | Third Round | 2 April 2021 | Victoria Park | 1 – 3 | 0 |
* ↑ After Extra Time; Inverness CT won 5–4 on penalties.
* ↑ Game was held behind closed doors due to COVID Pandemic.

## Goalscorer records

Players with 3 or more goals in the Highland derby.
    As of 2 April 2021
| Scorer | Team(s) | League | Scottish Cup | League Cup | Challenge Cup | Total |
| Liam Boyce | Ross County | 10 | — | — | — | 10 |
| Dennis Wyness | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 9 | — | — | — | 9 |
| Billy McKay | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4 | 3 | — | — | 9 |
| Billy McKay | Ross County | 1 | 1 | — | — | 9 |
| Iain Stewart | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 7 | — | — | — | 7 |
| Aaron Doran | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 5 | 1 | — | — | 6 |
| Alan Hercher | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4 | — | — | — | 4 |
| Jamie McPherson | Ross County | 4 | — | — | — | 4 |
| Iain Vigurs | Ross County | 2 | 2 | — | — | 4 |
| Ross Draper | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Steven Ferguson | Ross County | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Brian Grant | Ross County | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Barry Robson | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Miles Storey | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Marley Watkins | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Barry Wilson | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Greg Tansey | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 2 | — | 1 | — | 3 |
| Steve Hislop | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 |
| Steve Hislop | Ross County | 1 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Richie Foran | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 1 | 2 | — | — | 3 |
| Ross Stewart | Ross County | 1 | 2 | — | — | 3 |
| Jordan White | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 1 | 2 | — | — | 3 |
| Michael Gardyne | Ross County | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 |

## Managerial records

As of 2 April 2021. Minimum 5 Highland Derby games as manager.
| Name | Team | Years | Overall Record | Overall Record | Overall Record | League Record | League Record | League Record |
| Name | Team | Years | Games | Wins | Win % | Games | Wins | Win % |
| John Hughes | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 2013–2016 | 10 | 6 | 60.00% | 9 | 6 | 66.66% |
| John Hughes | Ross County | 2020–2021 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Steve Paterson | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 1995–2002 | 18 | 9 | 50.00% | 18 | 9 | 50.00% |
| Terry Butcher | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 2009–2013 | 11 | 5 | 45.45% | 8 | 3 | 37.50% |
| Robert Wilson | Ross County | 1987–1996 | 8 | 3 | 37.50% | 8 | 3 | 37.50% |
| Jim McIntyre | Ross County | 2014–2017 | 11 | 4 | 36.36% | 10 | 3 | 30.00% |
| Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson | Ross County | 2018–2020 | 6 | 2 | 33.33% | 4 | 2 | 50% |
| Derek Adams | Ross County | 2007–2010, 2011–2014 | 14 | 4 | 28.57% | 11 | 4 | 43% |
| John Robertson | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 2002–2004, 2017–2021 | 14 | 4 | 28.57% | 10 | 2 | 20.00% |
| Alex Smith | Ross County | 2002–2005 | 8 | 2 | 25.00% | 6 | 2 | 33.33% |
| Neale Cooper | Ross County | 1996–2002 | 14 | 2 | 14.28% | 14 | 2 | 14.28% |

## 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. John Robertson and John Hughes have had spells as manager at both clubs.
Among the players who have featured for both sides are:
* Andrew Barrowman
* Graham Bayne
* Mark Brown
* Joe Chalmers
* Alex Cooper
* Don Cowie
* Lionel Djebi-Zadi
* Coll Donaldson
* Ross Draper
* Russell Duncan
* Michael Fraser
* Les Fridge
* Stuart Golabek
* Richie Hart
* Richard Hastings
* Jay Henderson
* Steven Hislop
* Adam Mackinnon
* Roy McBain
* Mark McCulloch
* Billy McKay
* Gary McSwegan
* Alan Morgan
* Grant Munro
* John Rankin
* Antonio Reguero
* Mark Ridgers
* Hugh Robertson
* Alex Samuel
* Greg Tansey
* Ross Tokely
* Lewis Toshney
* Carl Tremarco
* Iain Vigurs
* Nicky Walker
* Steven Watt
* Jordan White
* Barry Wilson
* Garry Wood

## Clubs' honours

These are the football honours of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County since they joined the Scottish League in 1994–95:
| National Titles | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Ross County |
| First Division/Championship | 2 (2/0) | 2 (1/1) |
| Second Division | — | 1 |
| Third Division | 1 | 1 |
| Scottish Cup | 1 | — |
| Scottish League Cup | — | 1 |
| Scottish Challenge Cup | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 7 | 8 |
These are the football honours of Caledonian, Inverness Thistle and Ross County until they joined the Scottish League in 1994–95:
| National Competition | Caledonian | Inverness Thistle | Ross County |
| Highland Football League | 18 | 8 | 3 |
| Highland League Cup | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| North of Scotland Cup | 20 | 13 | 4 |
| Total | 43 | 24 | 11 |