Butcher has no issue with League Cup semi being played at Easter Road

TERRY BUTCHER believes that Inverness supporters will relish another trip to Edinburgh for their Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final against Hearts in January. Following the draw at Broughton High School yesterday, the Highlanders will play the Jambos at Easter Road at the turn of the year, if the Gorgie club can survive their latest financial crisis.

Despite venues like McDiarmid Park and Tannadice providing options closer to home for Caley, Butcher insists he is delighted at the prospect of a trip to the Capital while the other tie, between St Mirren and Celtic, will be at Hampden.

He added: “I am delighted with the draw. With any of these draws, you are just happy to be in it and to avoid Celtic.

“The fact that the game is going to be at Easter Road is great, I feel. If we had been drawn against St Mirren the game would probably have been at McDiarmid Park, which is a bit closer, but still two hours away from us.

“Easter Road is a cracking venue. Our fans are used to travelling all through the season anyway and they can come down here and make a real weekend of it.”