There have been very few players in the short history of Caley Thistle that are as influential and as prominent in the team as Russell Duncan. There is no doubt in my mind that the team are far superior on the field when he is present. I have no doubt about that. Sadly though, Butcher doesn't seem to see things that way. Ever since he came in, he has seemed obsessed with not playing him and signing other similar players to give him a reason not to do so. First there was Brian Kerr, then there was Stratford, there was Stuart Duff, then Duncan got back in when none of these showed to be up to the same standard (and surprise surprise about the same time after he retained his place, ICT started their meteoric rise for the title). Even now, it can be seen that Butcher would rather play Nick Ross and Lee Cox in the centre of field instead of Duncan. Now as promising and up-and-coming that these two players are, both combined don't bring the same bite, presence, experience and hunger to that area that Duncan brings. Any successful team have a player like that in the central midfield area and Duncan brings that to ICT.

And this isn't the first time players seem to have disappeared under Butcher. McBain is another example. I've heard on the grapevine that he and Butcher didn't speak for months! Today somebody posts (and obviously it cannot yet be said how reliable that is) that Duncan has been told he can leave. Sadly, that wouldn't surprise me and if this is true then it would be a grave mistake on the part of Terry Butcher. It's time for him to get regain his rightful place in the ICT starting eleven because his loss would be another club's gain.

Edited April 29, 201115 yr by Renegade

As much as I agree with it being a great loss Russell leaving, and yeah maybe him and butcher don't see eye to eye. However we have lost players before either sold or free transfers who have been key players and we have filled the void quickly and moved on. He hasn't played much this season prob due to personality clash and that's sad and annoying, but to say that it's the worst decision by butcher and that it could be the beginning of the end if his time as ICT manager is quite frankly ridiculous.

IMO he has never been a top player but a good one. I think people are overreacting if he's not gonna play we can't keep him- simple as that. He isnt the player that's going to make the difference in every game cos as you all know he has played some shockers !

It's just frustrating to hear overreaction to one player who has been a good servant to the club but in no way holds it together. We will sign a replacement and move on. - simples .

Agree completely with most of the sentiments on here: I'm really sad about this decision. Russell Duncan has certainly been our most committed, and imo also our most effective, central midfielder since Ian Black's departure and I've always been mystified at Terry Butcher's reluctance to play him. He's made an exceptional contribution to the club over the last decade and the continuity offered by having players like him, Tokely and Munro at the heart of the club has been one of the reasons I've been proud to be an ICT supporter.

I'm not going to condemn Terry Butcher outright for this though, because if he can find a stable midfield partnership and the team continues to do well next season then he can claim he's made the right decision. I do hope, however, that he gives Russell the chance to say goodbye to the supporters by giving him an appearance in at least one home and one away game (hopefully the Hamilton one) before the end of the season: to deprive him of even that would be very harsh.

Edited April 30, 201115 yr by alternative maryhill

Roy is ancient, well 37 years ancient this November, as is Golly.

Russell Duncan - Date of Birth: 15.09.80 makes him still 30 years old, just a loon.

Rossco - Date of Birth: 08.03.79, he is just over 32, maturing nicely.

Still plenty of life left in Russells legs and Rossco will fit in at Centre back, Roy is superfit, but Golly must be on his last legs surely.

I will miss Russelldhinio, the General who commends the midfield, not my words TBs.

I genuinely wish the man well and I will always have an interest to see how Russelldhinio is getting on at his future clubs.

If Russell is selected then I hope he leaves with all guns blazing on the pitch and shows TB what a huge error hes made.

Whos gonna be the first to start the 'stand up for Russell Duncan' chant at ICT? I'm well up for that.

There is always going to be some conflict between keeping the veteran players that we have come to love, respect, admire and the manager wishing to get in what he believes to be the best players that can bring the greatest success to the club, if Russell was a few years younger then he definitely would be kept, good luck Russell, you haven't left yet so looking forward to seeing you at the next ICT home game.

ps chin up Mr D.

Suspect if they stay up he may well end up across the bridge....

Mistake. Butcher's worst decision since taking over, only time will tell how damaging it may be. TB must think combative and experienced midfielders grow on trees. Good luck to Russell for future.

Good luck to Russell in the future, a great servant to the club. I am sure Terry Butcher knows what he is doing, we have no idea of what plans he has to replace Russell but his judgement has proved to be good in the past.

A really sad day for ICT and another baffling decision. It appears unless you are one of Butchers favourites you don't stand a chance. To add insult to injury I'm sure this will mean another contract for Duff who isn't fit too tie RD's boots & no doubt we'll sign that donkey McCann.

Very poor decision in my opinion, unless Butcher has a replacement lined up. Duff certainly isn't as good as Russell Duncan. It's no coincidence that our run to the First Division title began just after Russell had been put back in the starting line-up and I always thought we had a bit more grit and determination when he was in the team.

I agree that we have survived before by selling/releasing players and signing new ones, but with the state of the game right now, it won't be as easy to find replacements.

But good luck to Russell Duncan, wherever he ends up. He has been a fantastic servant to the club. Am I right in thinking that he is due a testimonial?

Although I think Duff is a talented utility player, he's not a defensive mid, hence why I think we got the best reactions when Duncan and Duff teamed up. I'd be disappointed if it was one or the other. Proctor or Cox are more similar players than Duff.

Not sure Duncan will go to RC. Guess it depends on how settled he is in the area. Could see an ambitious First Division club going for him, like Dundee or Hamilton.

Although I am as sad as anyone about this we must look to the future and Terry is only trying to move the club and team forward

Well, unless Butcher has something amazing lined up

Maybe he's found another Dan Stratford?

i dont seem to have much luck

07/08 got Rankin on the back of top, sold in january

08/09 got barrowman on the back of top after dons game, turned out to be rubbish

09/10 sponsored stratfords boots, never played after first half dozen games

10/11 sponsored duncans boots, now not getting a new contract

very disappointed at this news. Thought he had another couple of years here. Just hope Terry has something good lined up. Can't believe he plays Odhiambo and is letting Russell go. Hopefully odhiambo will be leaving also. Hope Russell gets a game at TCS before end of season. Wish Russell nothing but the best - I am sure someone will snap him up.

08/09 got barrowman on the back of top

At least it wasn't a tattoo

Alex Macleod never sponsored Russell this season did he?

Saw Russell throwing his shirt into the crowd after todays game.

the word Dunfermline sprung to my mind as soon as the final whistle blew today ........

Wage demands an issue? I can't think of any other reason to let him go.

Gutted for Russell. This great servant will be greatly missed. Cant say im too happy about this decision!

He better have someone good into replace him and no Brian Kerr or some unheard off does not count. I'm pritty sure stats will show that most of our wins this season have come with Russell being in the starting 11.

I understand that Butcher wants to build his own team but chucking one of our most consistent performers of the last 2 seasons is not the answer.

This is a poor decision IMO. Russel Duncan = hard work, commitment, reliability and experience. He's being thrown on the scrapheap at 30 after 10 years outstanding service. It's a disgrace. This isn't just an abomination on sentimental grounds, it makes no footballing sense. We're replacing a rock with an unknown quantitiy. It sends out the message that the club is not a meritocracy and has no respect for the aforementioned qualities. We would rather give a short-term loan contract to an unknown english championship rookie than retain a reliable, experienced stalwart who loves the club and the fans. It's a joke.

im absolutely gutted that russell is leaving and i also feel that we are always better when he is in the team. But i'm going to go with terry on this one. i remember around about this time two years ago when the list of players being released/re-signed was announced and vigurs had been told he would be released the uproar it created on this forum. that seems to have worked out just fine..

Well, unless Butcher has something amazing lined up

Maybe he's found another Dan Stratford?

LOL.....for my money.....Best Post of the week!!

Edited May 1, 201115 yr by SMEE

im absolutely gutted that russell is leaving and i also feel that we are always better when he is in the team. But i'm going to go with terry on this one. i remember around about this time two years ago when the list of players being released/re-signed was announced and vigurs had been told he would be released the uproar it created on this forum. that seems to have worked out just fine..

That's an apples and oranges analogy. First of all, Vigurs was young player who had only been at the club for a relatively short time. Duncan has played consistently and consistently well for over a decade. ICT weren't always noticeably better or worse, whether Vigurs played or not. It is pretty much indisputable that ICT are a far superior team when Duncan plays. Questions were asked, and rumours surfaced in early 2009, that Vigurs in training was either late, didn't turn up, or simply came across as lazy and uninterested. No-one can doubt that passion and commitment that Duncan has and continues to have for ICT.