Permit Granted

After weeks of waiting, Caley Thistle's new signing Marius Niculae has been told he can now play for the club after a work permit was granted "with immediate effect".

An SFA appeals tribunal with members including Ray Stewart, Pat Nevin, Peter Cormack and Fraser Wishart as well as two officials from the Home Office decided after hearing from the club and the player himself that he would be allowed to play.

This is great news for the club and its fans and a victory for common sense.

[picture © Trevor Martin]

The tribunal, which took about an hour, was held at the National Stadium, Hampden Park, in Glasgow and the player himself was there to answer questions about his reasons for coming to Scotland. According to the Official website, the main answer to this question was that he is here to win back his international place. After the tribunal, the Chairman, manager and player could do nothing but sit and wait on a decision which was expected within an hour or two. fortunately, for Caley Thistle and their fans, the decision was positive and the Chairman commented that "all our efforts have been worthwhile and Marius can be available for the Motherwell game on Saturday if selected".

He went on to say "Manager Charlie Christie spoke very well as we outlined the club's case that this was a player of proven quality who we could not source in Scotland. I felt Marius made a favourable impression, with his good command of English and his emphasis that he did not see Inverness as a short-term destination but one in which he could play well enough to wear Romania's colours again."

The player himself was obviously delighted and said "I'm thrilled to get the green light. I can now concentrate on doing my best for the club. I'm very grateful to all the supporters who have backed me. I hope to repay them with goals for Caley Thistle."