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With promises from Club Chairman George Fraser that substantial investment will be made during this transfer window, with the focus being on experience, then it could be a busy January.
CaleyThistleOnline's very own RiG keeps ups up to date with the latest transfer news and rumours involving Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC.
Discuss all this and more with fellow fans on the sites forum.
9th January 2009
The confusion surrounding the signings of Filipe Morais and Thierry Gatheussi from Hibs continues with the Press & Journal and other sources yesterday reporting that the two had moved on loan.
However, during the course of Thursday afternoon and into Friday, it was revealed that the two had signed permanent contracts until the end of the season. On Friday afternoon, Sky Sports claims that the two have signed on with Inverness until the end of the season with no mention of the transfers being on a loan basis.
Both players do not currently figure in the plans of Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen and with both Gatheussi and Morais out of contract at the end of the season, having only penned two year deals when they were signed by previous manager John Collins, both will be eager to try and secure deals for next season, either with Inverness or another club by turning in some good performances.
Morais in particular will be looking to put his recent troubles in Edinburgh behind him as he looks to build on a career that had started so promisingly when he started off with big spending Chelsea.
8th January 2009
The Scotsman reports that Inverness Caley Thistle have moved to strengthen their squad by signing Filipe Morais and Theirry Gathuessi on loan from Hibs. Manager Craig Brewster had previously indicated that he had been backed with funds that were available to bring in new faces during the January transfer window and had hinted at two to three arrivals at the club. Both players find themselves out of favour with Easter Road boss Mixu Paatelainen and, according to paper, have signed on loan until the end of the season although Inverness have yet to confirm the story.
The arrival of Morais, a predominantly right sided midfielder, would suggest that the 23 year old Portuguese player is a replacement for recently departed veteran Barry Wilson who was not offered a new deal by the club and who was released from his 6 month contract, which ended in January, so that he could join Division One side Queen of the South. Morais has found it hard to get into the first team picture this year due to the form of Alan O’Brien keeping him out of the Hibs side but he will be familiar to many Inverness fans due to appearing against ICT in several games since his arrival in Leith in 2007. Most notable of these games was an altercation between Phil McGuire and Morais with the Inverness defender angered by Morais attempt at diving which caused a scuffle to break out between the two who were then sent off. Morais began his career at Chelsea before moving to Milwall after a loan spell at MK Dons. Morais then journeyed to Scotland for a loan spell in Perth with Saint Johnstone before eventually signing for Hibs whilst they were managed by John Collins. Morais has scored once for Hibs during a 4 – 2 win over Saint Johnstone, another of his former clubs.
Defender Gathuessi, who can play at left or right back, looks to have been signed to give competition to regulars Richard Hastings and Ross Tokely, both of whom have been criticised by some sections of the ICT support for below par performances this season. With the future Lionel Djebi Zadi seemingly unclear, Guthuessi arrives hoping to challenge for a starting spot in the first XI. The defenders style of play is similar to that of Djebi Zadi being known for adventurous forward runs yet being somewhat fragile defensively.
The same paper also reports that Brewster might be looking to the other side of Edinburgh in an attempt to bolster the misfiring Inverness forward line by turning his attentions to Callum Elliot once again. A move for the Jambos forward never came to fruition despite a collection of stories in the papers about a move for the striker who ended up joining Livingston on loan and hit 11 goals for the Lions before being recalled by Csaba Laszlo for the game against Motherwell last night. With midfielder Ian Black joining Hearts at the end of the season under a pre contract agreement and the Edinburgh side keen to get Black on board as soon as possible, Brewster might look to a player swap deal to get Elliot to Inverness.
Guest
By Guest in News 2008-09 ·

Inverness CT 0-3 Rangers - Report

Brewster on the Brink
 
Caley Thistle suffered their 6th league defeat in a row today against visitors Glasgow Rangers.
Despite managing to strangle the game and hold their own for most of the first half and seeing the best of the opportunities a goal for Mendes within 30 secs of the re-start and a brace for Boyd secured the points for Rangers and left Inverness languishing on their own at the bottom of the League Table.
Brewster continues to insist he knows what is needed to turn things around and continues to plead with fans to get behind the team.  In my mind the fans are right behind the team, it's the manager they are finding it impossible to support and with a cup game coming up and the classic "6 Pointer" against Hamilton, then now more than ever changes are needed.
 
4th January 2009 - 12.30pm Tulloch Caledonian Stadium INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC
0
Team: Esson, Tokely (Duff 85), Munro, Proctor, Hastings, Cowie, Black (Imrie 64), Duncan, McBain, Vigurs (Rooney 73), Barrowman
Subs - Fraser, Djebi-Zadi, Sutherland, Wood
RANGERS FC
3 - Mendes (46), Boyd (81, 87)
Team: McGregor, Weir, Papac, Bougherra, Broadfoot, Davis, Mendes (Whittaker 78), Ferguson, Noco, Miller (Burke 62), Boyd
Subs - Bateman, Hodgkiss, Considine, Stewart
Referee D McDonald Attendance 7056 Man of the Match Garry Wood (ICT)  
Credit where credit's due today. The first 45 minutes were exactly what I look for from my team - commitment, energy, passion. Rangers didn't turn up in the first half, but we were absolutely excellent - McBain did a remarkable job playing wide right, Barrowman showed some fight and guts, and our midfield in general were everywhere. The home support gave our boys a standing ovation at half time, which was well deserved and you could see the players appreciated it.
Unfortunately, we appear to be cursed to shed goals at the start of the second half.
Mendes' finish was out of this world, make no mistake. But again it looked like rohypnol had been planted in the half time tea. Rossco went to pieces in the second half, though it appeared he had strained a stomach muscle when he was subbed so that might explain it. But as soon as the first goal went in we looked panicky and rudderless again. Substituting Black was a baffling decision, not any easier explained by the fact that Imrie contributed zero. And ultimately we got caught on the break for the second goal, and by the strangest free kick decision ever (should have been ours, then they took the free kick from the wrong place when the ref wasn't looking) for the third.
Ultimately, Brew's stock has not risen or fallen today. But once more we have shown that we are capable of playing quality football against good opposition, only to cause our own downfall with individual errors and our lack of heart when we fall behind.
Today, in conclusion, was a crying shame.
Guest
By Guest in Reports 2008-09 ·

Inverness CT v Rangers Preview

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle head into Sunday's meeting with Glasgow Rangers as the SPLs current 'crisis' club.
A very poor run of results has seen strong vocal opposition to Craig Brewster from large sections of the Inverness support and the Supporters Trust has publicly called for a meeting with all shareholders to discuss the situation.
Rangers also enter into the match in a tumult; having lost to their Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Old Firm derby the Govan club trail by seven points in the title race. Sections of the Ibrox support have questioned their manager, Walter Smith, in terms of tactics and signing policy.
These circumstances will ensure a keen audience for Sunday lunchtime's televised game.
   
INVERNESS CT v RANGERS
Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
Sunday 4th January, 12:30pm

 
ICTCHRIS FILLS US IN AHEAD OF SUNDAYS MATCH
PAST MEETINGS
Inverness Caley Thistle have played Rangers fourteen times since 1994, with eight matches being won by Rangers, two by Caley Thistle and four draws. After the Inverness clubs promotion to the SPL they initially proved hardy adversaries for the Ibrox club - in their first three SPL seasons Caley Thistle never lost a game to Rangers by more than a single goal. Charlie Christie's side in 2006/07 went unbeaten against Rangers, notching up two memorable wins. On the 14th of October 2006 Graham Bayne pounced on a Lionel Leitzi error to give Caley their first ever victory at Ibrox. Two months later John Rankin cracked in a 25 yard sizzler to seal a last minute victory over Paul Le Guen's ill fated Ibrox side.
The trend of Caley Thistle offering stiff resistance to Rangers changed in the 2007/08 season when Rangers scored three victories over the Highland men. Charlie Christie's last home game in charge of the Inverness club was the opening match of the 2007/08 season which saw Rangers utterly dominate a poor ICT side and run out easy 3-0 winners. The pitiful nature of that display was matched earlier this season when Rangers annihilated ICT 5-0 at Ibrox, all the goals coming before half time.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Caley Thistle don't have their problems to seek heading into this match and they have to increase solidity at the back and sharpen their cutting edge up front to have any hope of a victory. David Proctor has been thrown into the side in the centre of defence, previously having been considered mainly a right-back. Proctor has given good performances in the centre of defence but given the recent poor defensive run is under pressure. If he is trusted above Jamie Duff and Phil McGuire on Sunday he will have to be at his best to combat Kris Boyd, probably the SPL's deadliest goal scorer.
Boyd will enter the match looking to recover from a poor week. He failed to convert his only chance in the Old Firm derby, Artur Boruc saving his shot at 0-0, and as a result his ability to perform in big games has again been questioned. Boyd is a pure goal scorer and will look to see off his critics with a scoring performance. Given that Boyd bagged a hat-trick in the last meeting of the sides, he will be confident that he can resume his scoring form.
PREDICTION
Given the uncertainty around ICT at the moment and the desperate run of form the side finds itself in, no observer could confidently predict anything other than a comfortable win for Rangers. Caley Thistle have a brittle defence and lack teeth up front. In the last five games Caley Thistle have conceded twelve goals and only scored three (all of which were scored when the opposition were comfortably in the lead). The side lacks confidence, direction, solidity and resilience. Most Caley fans will sadly reflect that the main concern will be avoiding a televised humiliation.
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By Guest in Previews 2008-09 ·

EMERGENCY TRUST MEETING

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust to call an emergency meeting with ICT Shareholders.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust are to call an emergency meeting of our members next week with all club shareholders also invited to attend. This is in view of the crisis which we believe is now looming over our club.
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE SUPPORTERS TRUST
30/12/08
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust to call an emergency meeting with ICT Shareholders
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust are to call an emergency meeting of our members next week with all club shareholders also invited to attend. This is in view of the crisis which we believe is now looming over our club.
The decision to call this meeting was finally prompted by the team’s continuing string of poor results and performances.
“Clearly our results have been far from satisfactory and into the 2nd half of the season there are now real fears among our support that we could be facing relegation after five seasons in the SPL” said David Sutherland, Chairman of the Supporters Trust.
“But in addition to that, an increasing number of fans are also extremely unhappy about the manner of these performances.
The ICT board were unable to agree to our request to meet with them but a meeting between the two chairmen, although frank and friendly, did not reassure us that they shared our concerns.” Following an emergency meeting of the Supporters Trust Board last night (Monday) we have now decided to open the debate to our entire membership and have also decided to invite all shareholders of the club to this informal gathering.
THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT FAIRWAYS
ON WEDNESDAY 7TH JANUARY 2009 AT 7.30PM
All Trust members and current shareholders are welcome to attend and Trust memberships will be available on the night for any current non member who wishes to contribute to this meeting.
The board of the Supporters Trust shares the concern of the club’s fans about performances and results which now leave us avoiding bottom place in the SPL only by goal difference.
With the transfer window about to open we feel that it is vital that immediate action is taken to improve the situation at ICT.
 
Download Membership Form - Word Doc: Click Here
Guest
By Guest in News 2008-09 ·

Motherwell 3-2 Inverness CT - Report

Well's Porter bags a hat-trick 
 
With news and rumours of players signing pre-contracts and leaving you'd be forgiven for thinking that even players now considered HMS Sneck a sinking ship...and given the continued poor form then they might just be right!!!
2 Goals from Chris Porter would have left us dead and buried at half-time had it not been for Ross Tokely "using his head" to bring us back into things just before the break.  We didn't lose our trademark early goal in the second half, but Porter secured ownership of the match ball when he completed his hat-trick on 78 minutes.  Caley Thistle were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute, and even though Smith managed to keep out the initial shot Rooney was on hand to nod it home and the game finished 3-2. 
27th December 2008 - 3.00pm Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL FC
3 - (Porter 8, 39, 78)
Team: Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Klimpl, Reynolds, Hammell, O'Brien (Smith 73), Hughes, Fitzpatrick,
Clarkson (McHugh 88), Porter⚽⚽⚽
Subs - Nielson, Malcolm, Sutton, Lasley, Saunders
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC
2 - (Tokely 44, Rooney 90)
Team: Esson, Tokely⚽, Proctor, McGuire, Munro, Hastings, Cowie, McBain, Duncan,
Imrie (Rooney 46⚽), Wood (Barrowman 72)
Subs - Fraser, Djebi-Zadi, Duff, Gillespie, Vigurs
Referee C Richmond Attendance 4521 Man of the Match    
From Site:
 Anyone who witnessed that and still thinks ICT are still just "going through a sticky patch" needs sectioned.
Another week, another new formation. This time something approximating a 5-4-1 with Tokely and Hastings (cough) "pushing on", Wood alone up front and Roy McBain playing Ian Black's role as the ball-holding, pass-making central midfielder . I assume Black was injured: surely even Brewster wouldn't be stupid enough to drop our best player from the squad for a must-win game, even if he is going to Hearts...
Anyway, the predictable happened: the 5 defenders couldn't defend, McBain couldn't hold or pass, Wood ran around with great enthusiasm to absolutely no effect, Cowie, the putative saviour of Rangers, strolled around the place like the Duke of Edinburgh visiting a sewage works, the punts were many, long and aimless, and Motherwell murdered us.
The scoreline is probably the worst possible for us. If it had been 4 - or 5-1, as it should have been, then probably our board couldn't put off sacking Brewster any longer. However, as they seem to get all their information about the games by watching Jeff Stelling or reading Ceefax, they'll probably just have looked at the scoreline and thought, as my wife said when I got home, "sounded like a close game". Bullshit. Motherwell tried to play football throughout, and although they looked quite fragile and probably gave the ball away to us needlessly more than any team I've seen this season, they were still miles better.
If we carry on like this, we won't win another game this season. Most of the players tried hard today, but confidence is shot, they're being asked to play in formations and positions that are unfamiliar to them, and they're seeing our most talented players slipping away one by one. Once again: Brewster must go.
Guest
By Guest in Reports 2008-09 ·

Inverness CT 0-3 Aberdeen - Report

Brewster Toiling
 
A convincing and not entirely unexpected 3-0 victory by the Dons over rudderless Inverness means that ICT have now earned just 5 points at home all season.
This defeat means that ICT are now on the same points as bottom club Hamilton but stay ahead of them on goal difference.
ICT have now lost their last four games, scoring just once but shipping nine and today's capitulation even had the normally impartial commentators questioning how much longer Brewster can continue. We wonder too !!!
 
20th December 2008 - 3.00pm Tulloch Caledonian Stadium INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC
0
Team: Esson, Tokely, Munro, Proctor, Hastings, Cowie, Black, Duncan (Rooney 59), McBain, Imrie, Wood
Subs - Fraser, McGuire, Duff, Sutherland, Vigurs, Barrowman
ABERDEEN FC
3 - Mulgrew (6), MacDonald (51), Mackie (56)
Team: Langfield, Mair, Diamond, Severin, Mulgrew, McDonald, Kerr, De Visscher (Foster 46), Aluko (Maguire 80), Mackie, Miller (Paton 86)
Subs - Bateman, Hodgkiss, Considine, Stewart
Referee Calum Murray Attendance 5862 Man of the Match Garry Wood (ICT)  
From Site:
Not really too bad a performance, at least in the first half, then heads went down. A team whose confidence is so easily dented is one that has a central malaise at the heart of it. We/Brew can blame luck, but to be lucky, you have to be in a lucky place, and ICT are clearly not. We are losing too many games. Some we play well, some we don't, but two more wins on the board at this point and we would be a lot less twitchy about a couple of defensive errors.
Wood did play better than I have seen him, his first touch seems to have improved, but after turning his marker once, he then proceeded to try and do it again and again. His man, just walked round him, while he waited for the ball. That is an experience problem. The game picked up briefly when Rooney came on. He likes to get stuck in and will be an asset once he has a worthwhile striking chum. This is a priority, no matter how much it costs.
The defence did mostly well, dealing with some speedy attacks. Imrie's mistake was a major **** up but looking again he had little option; heading upfield would have put it straight to a Seagull, he would have hoped that one of his chums would have moved toward it. They didn't because the defence has no idea where they should be torn between natural skill and the bosses plan. Imrie is quality and will continue to improve. A good buy.
Hastings slipped, not for the first time, but for me the real culprit was Proctor, another player who I usually rate. He failed to attempt what was a very doable clearance, either by head earlier, scissors kick halfway through the arc or even a spin, at the end. Fear of failure, again lack of spirit.
Guest
By Guest in Reports 2008-09 ·

Inverness CT v Aberdeen Preview

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With more time being spent conversing about Craig Brewster and the current form (or lack of it) at Caley Thistle it's hard to judge just what the fans are expecting from this weeks forthcoming fixture against Aberdeen.
One thing is for certain, things aren't good right now and something needs to change before it's too late.
Whilst many would prefer ICT to go on a good run, there's a growing number who would happily accept a defeat if it guaranteed a change of manager before Christmas.
Jock MacDonald, OBE
A tough week at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium with the news that Jock Macdonald OBE had passed away, aged 77.
Jock was instrumental in the drive to see Thistle & Caledonian merge to form ICT and went on to be the amalgamated clubs first chairman as they took to the Scottish Leagues.
Jock was previously a great success at Inverness Thistle, where he became chairman in 1977 after a 15 year playing career with his beloved Jags. He was also highly regarded within the hierarchy of Scottish Football, being on the SFA Council since 1972 and subsequently on various other committees including the International Committee. He really was the voice of the North in Scottish Football.
He was a larger than life character, one of the “old school” as Billy Bremner found out when Jock disciplined him the olde way....a swift haymaker stopping Billy in his tracks.
Jock will be sadly missed by all who knew him and fondly remembered by family and friends. Condolences to all concerned.
An appreciation of Jocks life can be viewed on the ICT Official site.
A minutes silence will be held in memory of Jock prior to the game.
 
INVERNESS CT v ABERDEEN
Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
Saturday 20th December, 3:00pm

 
THEMANN4THEJOB LOOKS AHEAD TO THIS SATURDAYS MATCH
The crucial person for the home side will be the currently under fire manager, Craig Brewster. He’s been taking a fair battering on the website and is the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. With only a solitary win at home this season, Inverness have plummeted to second bottom of the league and are already in danger of becoming part of the relegation battle, even this early in the season!!!
Baffling tactical decisions may be the downfall of the once well respected striker and legend at previous clubs. Dunfermline fans have nothing but praise for Mr Brewster the footballer, and Arabs fans likewise, but the praise ceased at Tannadice when he became manager and only the intervention of the Tannadice board saved United from local derbies with first division Dundee.
Our away form has been slightly better, Ibrox apart, but with Kilmarnock being the only casualty in Inverness this season, Tangoman would, on paper, appear to be in for a comfortable weekend whilst Brewster will be looking for his squad to kick start their season.
4-4-2, 4-5-1, whatever, Brew has tried it all this season, but with little success. The team spirit is waning, fans favourite Barry Wilson has been told he is surplus to requirements, Black, Cowie and Fraser are all reading the small print on their contracts and no centre back or striker replacements brought in during the summer when needed.
All of this coupled with Brews lack of tactical acumen has seen us struggle against almost everybody at home and even diehard Caley Thistle fans are wondering if it is worth all the grief anymore as crowds continue to tumble heading in to the New Year. A possible lifeline could be available in the shape of hard cash to bolster the squad, not an easy thing to achieve considering good players are the top of every other teams agenda. The January sales will be the most critical since ICT gained promotion and who’s doing the buying for ICT could prove just as important as who is bought.
On the bright side, Ross Tokely is free from suspension and Phil McGuire made his comeback last weekend, albeit that he appeared to be painfully short of fitness. If Craig Brewster can get the team motivated, then maybe the weekend won’t be so bleak. I’m not convinced a win will see a change in stance from the fans, but a loss will be certain to add numbers to the ever increasing group calling for a re-structure within ICT.
Aberdeen winger Sone Aluko is fast making a nuisance of himself this season. Omatsone, to give him his full Sunday title has been capped for England at u16 to u19 level and dreams of emulating his sister Eniola who is a full England international. He’s been tormenting defenders since his permanent move to the Dons in the summer, resulting in a three year contract for him. Sone was named the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League young player of the month for November, when the nineteen year old scored twice, one against Killie and added another against the Buddies. He has felt stronger this season after a run of games in the SPL but has picked up a hamstring injury which may rule him out of this encounter. I am sure this will not be missed by Ross Tokely who will have the job of shackling the speedy winger should he recover in time.
Darren Mackie is another one who has performed well against ICT on occasion. He is also blessed with reasonable pace, something the Inverness rearguard sadly lacked in Paisley as Andy Dorman showed the struggling Phil McGuire a clean pair of heels.
Mackie is no stranger to the Caley Jags fans as he came here on loan in 2004. Unfortunately he failed to score in his six appearances, despite numerous one on ones. He came back to haunt us though, scoring at Pitoddrie once we reached the SPL, and also showed he is no slouch in the air, nodding home the winner in a Scottish cup game, despite being sandwiched by Brown and Dods. 26 year old Darren has scored fifty goals for Aberdeen in his ten year association with the Dandies.
Top game between these two teams happened last season when Aberdeen edged Inverness 3-4 in a seven goal thriller which saw Inverness finish with only nine men and an injury time winner from Chris McGuire for the Dons. There were also ten yellow cards. The most telling moment of this game was Russell Duncan being sent off during the half time for stupidly kicking the ball into the roof of the main stand. 5655 witnessed that match, I wonder if so many will be encouraged away from the Xmas shopping given the dire home form of ICT. Jaggies fans may take heart from the 0-2 victory in the seasons opening game, our first ever victory against the Dons, but that is sadly a distant memory for all but the staunchest of supporters. It was Andy Barrowman who opened the scoring that day before Roy McBain finished of in style after a breathtaking diagonal run from his own penalty box.
TM4TJ PREDICTION
To use a well known phrase, I had a dream…
...I thought I saw Inverness gain their second home win of the season in a nail biting, but turgid tussle to send the home fans homeward to think again, and Aberdeen fans were bemoaning the frailties of Jimmy Calderwood’s managerial tactics, to reverse the trend at ICT. 1-0 to Inverness, (fingers and legs crossed)
Guest
By Guest in Previews 2008-09 ·

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