I’m with those who feel we should be focussing our efforts on supporting the players so they get the right result for us tomorrow and we stay in the Championship. However, I’m curious as to what you feel the grounds are for legal action in the event of the scenario you have outlined.

Let’s win this tie first, and worry about what shape the club is in afterwards. It may be part time football anyway, which I think would be disastrous, but let Hamilton worry about that. Because of their location, it suits them far more than it does us. We may have no choice anyway, whether it’s home-grown lads or poaching local talent from the HL or the likes of Elgin. The stark fact is, if we’re part time, we won’t get players to relocate here. Not to train two nights a week. The only way round that is to have a wealthy benefactor such as Uncle Roy or the Brora model where they are given ‘jobs’. Stranraer are the nearest club to compare in this situation although it’s a pretty extreme case. Their players, or most of them, train in Glasgow, so the local connection, team bonding, etc, is lost. They have very poor crowds, c300, and tomorrow they could be relegated to the LL. They won’t recover from that and will have massive recruitment problems, ultimately ending up in the very poor SOSL or going amateur or folding. Would we attempt a similar setup with players training in Perth? Better to use Highlands-based players but IMHO the standard is not there compared to the days when we could get the likes of Iain Stewart or Brian Thomson.

Steve Clarke has till 6 June to name his Euro 2024 squad. We had a go at predicting it all the way back in November; since then UEFA have confirmed that 26 players can be named - just like at the last Euros - and we have lost Lewis Ferguson to an ACL injury. Here's who I think Clarke will pick, with my thoughts. I'm not expecting any 'October surprises' so there's no Harvey Barnes or Tino Livramento here, sadly... GOALKEEPERS On the plane: Angus Gunn, Craig Gordon, Zander Clark Missing out: Liam Kelly Notes: Gunn is obviously first choice. In November I thought Kelly was ahead of Gordon in the queue but subsequent selections have suggested it's the other way around. In fact, if anything happens to Gunn I'd imagine the Hearts veteran would get the nod ahead of teammate Clark, even though the latter has started more often at club level this season. Clark looked very uncomfortable in relief of Gunn for a f few games in 2023, which may count against him. CENTRAL DEFENDERS On the plane: Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry, Ryan Porteous, Scott McKenna, John Souttar, Liam Cooper Missing out: Grant Hanley Notes: All being well, I'd expect Tierney, Hendry and either McKenna or Porteous to start against Germany. Cooper goes because Clarke will want another left-footed centre-back to cover for Tierney. Souttar has been consistently good for Rangers this season. Hanley has played only eight minutes of first-team football since March and hasn't stayed consistently fit since his achilles rupture a year ago, which makes it hard to justify picking him even for his leadership and ability in the air. FULL-BACKS On the plane: Andrew Robertson, Nathan Patterson, Aaron Hickey, Greg Taylor, Ross McCrorie Missing out: Anthony Ralston, Josh Doig, Max Johnston Notes: Right wing-back is the main area of worry for Clarke and everyone else, as Hickey hasn't played since November because of injury and Patterson recently picked up a significant hamstring injury. Clarke will give both as much time as possible - there's a big drop off from Hickey to Patterson and another big drop to whoever the next man up is - probably McCrorie, whose background was in central defence and central midfield but who has played on the right for Bristol City most of this season. Ralston is only a backup at Celtic but has played well for the national team previously and it wouldn't be a surprise if he was named ahead of McCrorie; certainly if neither Hickey nor Patterson can go he will be in. On the left, Robertson is undisputed first choice; whilst Tierney is the best alternative at the position, Clarke will take Taylor as Robertson's deputy so Tierney can remain in central defence. But there's enough options here that there isn't a place for Doig, who has done well in Italy, or Johnston. CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS On the plane: John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean, Connor Barron Missing out: Lewis Ferguson, Elliot Anderson, Ryan Jack, David Turnbull Notes: The loss of Ferguson is a blow; he had been so good for Bologna that he might have forced himself into the lineup, or at least would have been an excellent option off the bench. The most likely starters are McGregor and Gilmour deep, with McGinn and McTominay more advanced. Christie has been brilliant in a deeper position for Bournemouth and could be used in any of the midfield roles too. McLean will be along as much for his experience as anything else, and is always a good player to come off the bench late in a match. It sounds like Aberdeen prodigy Barron might take advantage of the extra squad slots, though he's unlikely to get minutes. Sadly, Jack just can't stay fit, which is a pity because he and McGregor have always worked well together in front of the defence, Turnbull fell off the radar even before he joined Cardiff, and no-one is sure if Anderson even wants to play for Scotland after he withdrew from a squad last September. ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS On the plane: Stuart Armstrong, James Forrest Missing out: Ryan Fraser, Danny Armstrong, Ben Doak, Ryan Gauld Notes: I've separated these guys from the other midfielders because they are essentially attackers who won't be playing at centre-forward, but Clarke's usual tactics don't involve out-and-out wingers and McGinn and McTominay will probably be the more attack-minded midfielders. These guys will probably come off the bench if/when we are chasing games. S. Armstrong seems likely to get over a late-season injury scare. Forrest wasn't even in my mind in November but he has been absolutely fantastic in recent weeks. There has been talk of Doak getting a nod (like Barron above) but he hasn't played since December. Fraser has been in Clarke's bad books for calling off too easily in the past and hasn't done enough this season to compensate for that. D. Armstrong has been sensational for Kilmarnock this season and could be an option as right wing-back too but it would be a hell of a step up. Gauld continues to impress in the States but the folks back home never seem to notice. STRIKERS On the plane: Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams, Lawrence Shankland Missing out: Jacob Brown, Kevin Nisbet, Ross Stewart, Oli McBurnie, Lewis Morgan Notes: The question here is if three strikers is enough, but it's hard to justify any of the others with the exception of Morgan who is scoring goals like mad in the U.S. and would be the sort of in-form wild card option that Clarke should consider. As for the other rejects here, Brown has been injured for months, Nisbet and Stewart are only just back from long-term layoffs, while McBurnie is a favourite of mine who has shown flashes for Sheffield United this season and is outstanding in the air, but is probably more trouble than he is worth. Dykes, Adams and Shankland are all capable of being the front man against Germany, and all capable of contributing off the bench. None, unfortunately, is the world-class forward we desperately lack, but they are unquestionably the best three we have. If it were me, I'd find a place for Morgan, as a striker who is in form is always worth having, and possibly Doak - I think the latter has at least a little potential to contribute compared to Barron. Lawrie Spence has whinged about Scottish football on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly. View the full article

Same youngsters that couldnt get game time at lower levels or did anything of note even at Highland league clubs. No chance they would be able to compete with a bunch of journeymen and cloggers at League One level unfortunately.

Personally, while most of us are probably wondering about what will happen, al efforts should be focusing on tomorrow evening's game as as fans we have very little influence on what will happen. Like everything we're just passengers, but there's one thing for sure, if the communication continues on the same vain as past days/months/years, we'll be told very little if anything at all until someone within the club decides that really enough is enough and changes that. From my point of view, regardless of what happens, SG and DF have to go along with some others in prominent positions and the club operations need streamlined. I can't see why we need to be so top heavy. We also need to have a proper footballing strategy/plan in place as for the last 8-9 years we've been free-falling from one cliff to another without any real direction or plan hoping that something will change. It really doesn't matter what size of a club we are this should be standard. I've never known a club to have so much off-field business disasters let alone allow the person guiding the club to remain in his position; in any other business that person would be gone. I can't believe that those who are digging into their own pockets are happy in any way doing this but just comes across like they are scared to make drastic changes. As fans, no matter what guise the club sits in, we'll always be there to support them but unfortunately there's too many people currently that take that for granted.

I do agree there will be major changes if the club get relegated, i also dont think Ferguson will hang around as he would be seen as to have failed in keeping us up, i also think we need a complete clear out of coaching staff to bring in fresh ideas ,these are the guys who are going along with the current tactics, also more needs to be done to get our own home grown lads on the pitch.

And you will be funding it....?

1) I'd imagine Scot Gardiner and Duncan Ferguson would be relieved of their duties and it's likely that Ryan Esson would come in as manager which I would totally back (now I'm not saying that I believe the gaffer needs sacked, it's just my thoughts on what will happen if the unthinkable happens which is very likely) 2) We'd have a team of youngsters in the playing squad maybe with some experience and loans too; in the hope that we bounce straight back up at the first time of asking.

I’ve had to create a new account due to forgetting my password. Formerly BobbyDazzler. Going by what I seen on Wednesday we have nothing to fear. I think it was a case of we were extremely bad in the first rather than Hamilton being good. The second half proves what we are capable of with the right players on the pitch with a positive approach and playing on the front foot.

I think that this is the key. We need to take control from the start, grab it by the scruff, and take charge. That's what we need to do. But from what I have seen, I have grave doubts about our ability to do so.

Yes the Crysler V8 a beautiful sound but a bit thirsty

I have no idea what this means - anyone able to explain in common or garden language?

Looked up the Jensen. 1972 and 7.2L engine… The Jag is 1952 and 3.4L

Went on to see when accounts were due for the battery storage and I see that the club have gone from being the sole shareholder to now only having 1%. The three people listed below all now hold 33% each.

I really dislike this thread aiming against my beloved ICT. Ok, it seems badly run, badly managed etc etc but whatever the future brings the diehard fans will remain. I only wish I had the cash to help but, in the meantime, I’ll remain positive. So - call me a happy clapper all you want, I’m not happy but I will always be a supporter, whatever division. After all I’ve enjoyed the banter at all the Highland League grounds so, bring it on. However, evening games at Dumfries not attractive at my age now!

I think that it’s very difficult to estimate what would happen if relegation took place because of the ongoing chronic lack of information. The last accounts we have seen are to the end of May 2022, almost two years ago, and even these are disappointingly lacking in detail; for instance they don’t even record turnover. In February, the board deployed an accounting technicality which allowed them to delay the accounts for the year to May 2023 by three months and that new deadline arrives at the end of this month - although even this latest set will still be a year out of date. The deadline for another AGM is July 24th but last time the deadline stated on the Articles of Association was ignored to the extent of four months. We know that, within the period of the accounts that should be imminent, the arm’s length concert company collapsed but, while local traders lost out, the club contrived to extract money out of that situation - at the cost of a great deal of local goodwill being lost. Of the battery farm, little has been heard since the Council pulled the plug. Meanwhile the ongoing perception is that the club is still losing money hand over fist and a group of wealthy individuals are continue to put their hands in their pockets to keep the administrator from the door - although details are unclear. So at last we get to the added implications of possible relegation where I would imagine that further reduced income streams would need to be added to all the uncertainties listed above. Straws and camels’ backs? Certainly, the stated objective of solving the financial problems by returning to the Premiership would appear to be quite a distant one.

Make no mistake, Hamilton are there for the taking but only if Ferguson picks the correct team. As people have already said, People and Lawal have to start and Longstaff needs to be dropped as he is offering nothing. Not convinced that Macgregor is the saviour some posters think (they're going on past reputation imo) but if things not going to plan, he needs to ge brought on earlier than he has been. If Austin Samuel's is fit, I would be tempted to throw him on later in the game as he has real pace which we lack. We also need to go at Hamilton from the off and put them under pressure as I think they will struggle. Their pitch certainly helped them last night as it was awful.

As I understand it there is no bank debt. I also assume there is nothing due to the taxman as league rules state that such a scenario would trigger a points deduction. All money owed will be to directors and other private benefactors. The chairman has a charge over club assets which include the battery farm so he's made sure to cover his own ass to an extent. As is normally the case when those running a club make an arse if it the fans will be the ones expected to bail it out. The problem there is that the club's stock with fans, local businesses and the community is at an all time low meaning there's not enough people motivated to do anything. As Yngwie says these scenarios may happen even if we avoid relegation. The 2022/23 accounts are due within the next 2 weeks and there's a growing feeling they have been delayed because they will show the club to have been insolvent for quite some time. I have stated previously that there is a scenario whereby the chairman actually stands to gain if the club goes into administration and the battery storage is then approved. I hope the Supporters Trust are geared up to take legal action if that does happen.

Even if we stay up, those things are possibilities, but through cost cutting I think we’ d be able to survive and stay full-time in some form, but perhaps with a lower headcount on and off the pitch, and without a youth set up. The relegation scenario is considerably worse and I can’t bring myself to think about it.

I hope you are right IHE

So we are 2-1 down after the first leg of the play off. We have only won a handful of games by more than two goals this season. There is a good chance we are going to be relegated into League One. What will the consequences be of this happening? I've heard people say that we will go into administration if we get relegated, I've heard people say that we will go part-time. People even speculate that we might go out of business entirely if this happens. I think at one of the fan Q&A events the chairman said they hadn't been planning for relegation but I'm sure they've also said in other communications that they are planning for this. While we all know the people running the club are generally incompetent I cannot believe that they haven't considered what to do if this happens - we would likely close down our Youth Academy operations, make staff redundant and possibly go part-time, to a degree. Perhaps we could keep a core of full-time players and supplement the rest with part-timers and youth products. As I understand it, companies go into administration if they are insolvent. Given our regular massive losses we probably fit that category but I don't know if it would be in the interest of the people who are writing the cheques to put us into adminstration. Maybe it could be done to reduce costs (ie make everyone redundant) and then start from a new base. I'm not sure our position with regards to creditors - do we owe money to the bank or the taxman? If so, they might put us in admin and sell our assets for payment. Assuming the club continues, how do thing develop on the field? I can't see Duncan Ferguson continuing if we go down - he has said many times he was here to keep us up, he failed and does he really want to compete in the third tier of Scottish football? I don't think so. I can only see us appointing someone from within - Scott Kellacher? Ryan Esson? Charlie Christie? In terms of players, we have, I think, five players under contract. I can see us offering some of the young players coming to the end of their deals one year contracts and trying to build that way. The banter outcome is that we get relegated, win our Scottish Government appeal and get a £3m cash injection mid season.

Having also reflected I'm now a little less pessimistic than I was when Hamilton scored their second goal. I agree with those who would have Pepple and Lawal on from the start. Pepple always looks dangerous on the attack - dunno why he's only ever a last 15 minutes sub.

The day after and reflecting, I thought we relied too much on Billy and Alex Samuel this season,both workhorses who give everything, but the end result is not there. I have no idea why Lawal was not on from the start, unless Dunc was keeping some players back for Saturday, thinking we would have walked it last night. Longstaff and Gilmour didn't have a good game, nor did Anderson.On Saturday there is no room for passengers and I would go 3-5-2, start with Kepple,Lawal,Roddy and drop Billy to the bench to come on in last 1/4 if need be. We have no choice but to be hopeful and positive and in my humble opinion we have to go all out and attack and not relyon defending the whole game and trying to sneak a goal. We need as many goals as we can get to be sure,which means high tempo,swift passing and accuracy.

The team have an opportunity to turn this around now and I am sure we all hope they take it. Because let’s face it the tie was almost already gone; who amongst us wasn’t watching that and at some point thinking it was done. Anyway it is not done and it most certainly is game on. I would agree with starting lawal and pepple as regardless of anything else they will unsettle the Hamilton back line; who coped fairly easily with the starting line up last night. They also want to be testing the Hamilton goalkeeper whom wasn’t really tested. Ridgers was caught out unfortunately but I am sure he knows it himself; he is still an excellent goalkeeper and will be keen to show it again. Fortune favours the brave and so we would do well to be brave in team selection and with application on the pitch. There is now an opportunity to for everyone to redeem this tie and to produce a winning formula. Seize the opportunity and squeeze the Hamilton team until they they accept their renewed membership of league 1

Absolutely spot on. Unless the injury situation is even more dire than we know, it's bizarre how the manager can't see what most of us have been seeing all season. No way is Gilmour the new Allardice. He's a wee battler who gets booked every week. He gave the ball away for the first goal too when we were playing rondo in midfield instead of getting the heads up and switching the play. This tie is looking far more promising after the first half where it looked like we were doomed. Who knows how the game might have played out before that fluke goal which settled Accies and allowed them to sit in. Same old pedestrian possession based, safety first, pass it to death nonsense. Raise the tempo, take the occasional risk. I'd be tempted to start Pepple, who caused a fair bit of panic, and keep Billy on the bench till the last half hour. As a striker... If Lawal doesn't start then what's the point. We'll have to wait and see how Devine is (where's Ujdur?) but possibly 4 at the back with Carra starting and Kerr in midfield. And if Roddy makes an appearance, try making it more than 10 minutes ffs. We've got a sizeable enough squad it appears but what do I know... We have enough quality to blow Accies away, on last night's showing, but we've seen that movie many times.