Caley Thistle are League One winners after victory against Hamilton Academical

Caley Thistle claimed the League One title at the second attempt – as their 2-1 victory against Hamilton saw them replace Ross County in the Championship.

Nine wins and nine draws over their final 18 league games meant Caley Thistle finished two points ahead of runners-up Stenhousemuir – despite kicking off the season on -5 points.

No other SPFL team has ever won a title having been docked points in the same season, so another notable achievement was marked off here.

That deduction came as a result of being in administration in 2024 and, in his first full season in charge, Scott Kellacher has delivered a return to the Championship – beating the club who sent them there two years ago in a play-off final defeat. 

Inverness would have won the title last week had they beaten hosts East Fife rather than being held to a 1-1 draw in Methil. 

However, needing just one point to ensure they finished first ahead of Gary Naysmith’s Stenny, the Caley Jags got the win to return to the Championship.

Stenhousemuir took it all the way, beating Montrose 2-0 at Links Park and they will now play Queen of South in the promotion play-off semis.

The other semi-final sees Airdrieonians, who finished second bottom of the Championship, compete with Alloa Athletic, who finished fourth in League One after Queen of the South leapfrogged them into third with a 2-1 win.

Darian MacKinnon’s Accies, who were deducted a thumping 21 points in total this season for a variety of SPFL breaches, will contest the relegation play-offs next week against Forfar Athletic, who finished fourth in League Two.

Clyde and Spartans will contest the other League One play-off semi-final.

Inverness directly replace Ross County in the Championship after the Staggies were relegated on Friday night after their 3-2 defeat at Raith Rovers. 

Atmosphere crackled inside stadium

Home captain Danny Devine crashed home a volley inside the first three minutes to lift the already electric atmosphere created by 5,000 fans to new heights.

And the roof was raised midway through the first half when assistant manager and club record scorer Billy Mckay scored his 132nd ICT goal.

Kevin O’Hara scored a late consolation for Hamilton before Caley Thistle goalkeeper Ross Munro saved an Oli Shaw spot-kick in stoppage-time.

That led to an invasion of Inverness fans from the North Stand, which held the game up for a few moments before the final whistle blew.

From the side which salvaged a 1-1 draw at East Fife, Kellacher made four changes to his starting line-up.

In came Mitchell Robertson, Adam Mackinnon, David Wotherspoon and Mckay for Oscar MacIntyre, Calum MacLeod, Luis Longstaff and Chanka Zimba.

The manager had spoken of the impact experienced paring Mckay and Wotherspoon made in earning the vital point in Fife last week.

Inverness had taken six of the nine available points against Accies this season, including a rousing 4-0 win at the Sarens PSG Stadium in December. 

However, without their 21-point deduction, Hamilton would be third in the division, so this was always going to be a big test against a team fighting to stay up automatically.

Devine gets the title ball rolling

Inverness, roared on with a great home support, got off to the ideal start when, from Paul Allan’s corner, Devine surged into the box to volley the ball past goalkeeper Josh Rae.

What a moment for the 2015 Scottish Cup-winning stalwart and his celebrations said it all.

Inverness were playing slick football, moving from side to side and Aberdeen loanee Alfie Bavidge slid a low shot wide on 16 minutes when he was picked out in the box by Mckay.

The 20-goal forward, who is leaving the Dons this summer, would have felt he should have hit the target when presented with that opportunity.

However, it was 2-0 on 26 minutes when Mckay netted from close range when he met a cross from Robertson after Wotherspoon swept play out wide left.

“We’re going to win the league” rang out loudly. This was now imminent. Hamilton were not having any joy of their own in attack.

Inverness were now only going to be denied the title by a three-goal comeback combined with Stenny winning at Links Park.

On the cusp of half-time, Devine was forced off with an injury, but the supporters rose to their feet to cheer the skipper off, with his big moment of lifting the trophy to come later.

Chants and cheers all round

There was almost a third goal seven minutes into the second half when right-back Ross Millen low drive was pushed wide by Rae.

The match had slowed down from its high energy first 45 minutes, but that was largely down to the scoreline created by the excellent work from Kellacher’s winners.

As well as Kellacher’s name being chanted before the trophy arrived by helicopter, so was that of chairman Alan Savage, his vital role which began the recovery process which has ended with a silver lining.

O’Hara got Hamilton on to the scoresheet with six minutes to go with a clinical finish in the box and Shaw’s penalty was saved before fans spilled on to the park, with some fans involved in some overheated exchanges.

The final whistle then sounded moments later and, after another pitch invasion, fans returned to their seats to await the trophy.

Caley Thistle v Hamilton ratings

CALEY THISTLE (4-2-3-1): Munro 7, Millen 7, Savage 7, Devine 7 (MacIntyre 45), Robertson 8, Stewart 7, Allan 7, Bavidge 7, Mackinnon 8 (MacLeod 72), Wotherspoon 7 (Brannan 79), Mckay 7 (Zimba 79).

Subs not used: Ross (GK), Longstaff,  Chalmers, Alonge, Willox.

HAMILTON (4-4-1-1): Lane 6, Hutton 6, Smutek 6 (Shiels 85), Kilday 6 (Hendrie 84), Gallacher 6, McKinstry 6, Simpson 6 (Crookston 68), Newbury 6, O’Hara 6, MacDonald 6, Shaw 6.

Subs not used: Stafford (GK), Morgan, Cameron.

Referee: Chris Graham.

Attendance: 5,029.

Man of the match: Adam Mackinnon.

[Source: Press and Journal]