North-East Derby

The North-East Derby is a term used to describe the matches played between Scottish football clubs Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. [Etherson, Brian. [http://www.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/08/08/SPL-Calderwood-on-Derby/ Inverness match is derby for Calderwood] , Setanta Sports, 8 August 2008.] The clubs first met in a Scottish League Cup tie played on 8 August, 1998. Inverness first entered the Scottish Football League in 1994 with Ross County, who quickly became Inverness' main rival. Inverness have developed something of a rivalry with Aberdeen since they were promoted to the Scottish Premier League in 2004.

The match is considered to be a derby despite the fact that the two cities are over 100 miles apart. Aberdeen have no obvious rival geographically, although they have longstanding rivalries with both Rangers and Dundee United. With Ross County remaining in the Scottish Football League, the lack of an alternative derby opponent for both clubs has led to the development of the rivalry. Due to the redevelopment of the Caledonian Stadium to meet SPL standard, Inverness had to share Pittodrie Stadium with Aberdeen during the first half of the 2004–05 league season.

The match has also been given an edge by Aberdeen enjoying a long unbeaten record against Inverness, partly thanks to a remarkable number of very late goals. This record was finally ended on the opening day of the 2008–09 league season when Inverness won 2–0 at Pittodrie. Other notable matches between the two clubs include a Scottish Cup tie in 2000. Aberdeen beat Inverness after a replay in the round after Inverness had caused a great shock by beating Celtic.

Head-to-Head

Notes