PerfICT

....Shiels down to 2-1 odds...

My guess for interviewees: Hartley Robertson G Burley Shiels Tapia +1 from Sutton, Larsson, Hartson (what's with the septic link?!), Sturrock? Lazlo? I'm assuming that Levein is not interested. I've put the first 5 in order of my own preference. Of the others, Sturrock could do a job (health?) and Larrsson still intrigues me for some illogical reason. I doubt Hartson would be interested because of his media commitments and I think Sutton would be a disaster - how could you justify him over just about anybody else on this list?

Butcher will not be watching anything on Sat: touchline ban for DUFC debacle! Nice start....

mmmmm.......the timing in view of the shortlist having been decided.... http://sport.stv.tv/football/249669-inverness-ct-hope-to-appoint-new-manager-in-time-for-morton-cup-clash/ can't be coincidental! Smells like he didn't get his favourite candidate on the shortlist and threw the toys out the pram?

Draper's the most vulnerable, followed by Tremarco. Hope the new man gets these 2 tied up ASAP.

I feel Marsella had a bit more dignity than the other two - I sense that he didn't think he'd be going until after the game at Hibs and he said on MFR that he was scouting for ICT up to yesterday and passed on info to KC (although obviously takes the knowledge with him too. I have less animosity for him than the other 2 tw@ts.

....in that case, get Ross Draper signed up next - he's been immense this season.

...or he's been offered a hand in making the choice....

If you were to believe the bookies, the possibles with short and shortening/stable odds seem to be: Chris Sutton (4-5!!!) Sutton family obviously backing their man heavily! Craig Levein Kenny Shiels Robbo (believed to be trying to link up with Barry Wilson as assistant) Paul Hartley Henrik Larsson - big mover today Antonio Tapia Peter Houston? Barry Ferguson? Burley is another possibility because he's publicly declared an interest, but there's some confusion here, with Craig Burley at shorter odds that George...doesn't make sense! Sturrock still out at 33-1... Probably shouldn't read too much into this, but perhaps these names are not so far off the short-list?

That's fantastic! Well done whoever negotiated that!

Can anyone explain the short odds on Chris Sutton (11-8, 11-10)? Given the competition, he'd be a rank outsider, but somebody's backing him....

Had that thought myself - would make a real splash. However, publicity is always a double-edged sword and, if it goes pear-shaped this would bite us on the @rse. Selection must be strictly on footballing lines and not publicity IMHO.

For me, we need somebody who can first hang on to as many of the current lads to achieve success this year. That means charisma and the ability to get the boys' respect immediately. Projects and 5 year plans are great and should certainly be on the CV, but the opportunity is this year and that means this squad. Who? I haven't got a Scooby....

I don't disagree, all I'm saying is that he clearly felt he had outgrown ICT and had lost all respect for the club. In these circumstances, I'd prefer he left and let us get somebody who has the club at heart than somebody who really doesn't want to be here. Self belief to the extent of arrogance is a pre-requisite in winners - some guys just handle it better than others.

We're simply better off without him. He clearly has no respect for ICT or our fans and has a number of personality flaws (I think IHE might have a theory?) Can't wait to get a new manager and move to the next level.

Renegade - says it as it is! However, after the initial pain followed by fury and betrayal, I'm now feeling really positive: Butcher did us well, but we now have an opportunity to find an even better man to take us to the promised land. Just glad I'm not making the choice!

Sturrock drifting at 25-1. I thought Levein got a pay-off from SFA, so at least he'll not need a big wage!

The 'Barry Ferguson' on Paddy Power is actually Alex Ferguson when you click through, making 500/1 still rubbish odds. Nice one - you'd think that someone might know the difference between Sir A and Mr B Ferguson?! I see that the Burley quoted is "Craig" not "George" too...

Ardiles 66-1 (worth a punt if he's applied?!) Barry Ferguson (thankfully) out to 500-1 with Paddypower, but still <20-1 with others.

Interesting movers in the betting: Levein out to 10-1, now back in at 6-1 Laslo now out to 20-1 Sutton in to 8-1! Nobody has a clue. South American applicants?! Can only be Diego Maradonna - that would be something to stir old Butcher up!

No, no, no, no, no to Shiels or Hughes. Impressed with some of the other names linked with the job, though and it would be good to get Richie involved too.

Shiels - not for us.No, no, no.

...Ah- not so good!

Burley was fantastic at Ipswich (promotion and then Europa league in successive seasons). Relegation the following season was thanks to Europa League distraction + not anticipating a relegation dogfight. At Hearts he was even better, until Romanov decided otherwise (weren't they 2nd in the league at that time?) Scotland wasn't great, especially the Ilewumo/Boyd shambles. I think he could do a job for us, especially with an ICT thoroughbred by his side (Foran or Wilson?)

Hartson at 8-1 is an interesting addition to the market: would be a risk, but interesting! Please not Shiels or Ferguson.