Article from teamtalk.com regarding the current search for a back up GK:

Caley set sights on Clach keeper

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have switched from Arsenal to Clachnacuddin in search of a new goalkeeper.

Highland club need back-up for Michael Fraser, who has been promoted to first choice following the departure of Mark Brown to Celtic.

However Arsenal have refused to let 18-year-old reserve goalkeeper Vito Mannone go on loan to Caley Thistle, because they will not guarantee him a regular game.

Inverness manager Charlie Christie is now hoping to land 26-year-old ex-Caley Jags keeper Ally Ridgers on loan until June.

Director of football Graeme Bennett said: "We were offered Mannone as long as he was guaranteed to play.

"But Michael Fraser is first choice so we're in the strange position of turning down Arsenal."

Meanwhile, Inverness are considering a move for Ross County midfielder Don Cowie, free in June, on a pre-contract agreement.

Bennett said: "We'll watch Cowie against Dundee on Saturday and there is a possibility of a transfer offer. Otherwise, he's in our plans for next season."

article superceded by one from the BBC website:

Inverness sign up keeper Ridgers 

Michael Fraser is first choice keeper at Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Inverness have completed the signing of goalkeeper Ally Ridgers on loan for the rest of the season from Highland League neighbours Clachnacuddin.

The 26-year-old will be on the bench for the home Premier League game against Celtic on Sunday.

Ridgers is a former Caledonian Thistle player and will provide back-up for Michael Fraser.

Arsenal refused an approach for keeper Vito Mannone because Inverness would not guarantee him a regular game.

Director of football Graeme Bennett said: "We were offered Mannone as long as he was guaranteed to play.

"But Michael Fraser is first choice so we're in the strange position of turning down Arsenal."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t..._ct/6301707.stm

Maybe a good thing we opted for Clach

This is from Vito Mannone entry in Wikipedia (so it may not be gospel  :004:).....................................

On August 18, 2006 he was sent out on a three month loan to Barnsley where he was expected to challenge Nick Colgan for the number one spot. Mannone's time at Barnsley was not a happy one - on his debut away to Preston North End on September 22 he came on as a substitute after Colgan was red-carded and gifted Preston the winning goal, punching the ball onto Patrick Agyemang's head. In his next match, against Luton Town, starting in place of the suspended Colgan, he dropped a cross late on and allowed Ahmet Brkovic to score the winner.

:023:

Phew! looks like a good call

On August 18, 2006 he was sent out on a three month loan to Barnsley where he was expected to challenge Nick Colgan for the number one spot. Mannone's time at Barnsley was not a happy one - on his debut away to Preston North End on September 22 he came on as a substitute after Colgan was red-carded and gifted Preston the winning goal, punching the ball onto Patrick Agyemang's head. In his next match, against Luton Town, starting in place of the suspended Colgan, he dropped a cross late on and allowed Ahmet Brkovic to score the winner.

Jimmy Calderwood qould probably rate him really highly then....  :023:

Ha Ha, thats No. 1 shirt characteristics in Calderwoods book!  :015:

An Arsenal goalkeeper - who would have ever guessed that.  :014: :014: It was Poom first but the wage was the difficulty.

Also he would only come if he was guaranteed the no.1 spot and the club rightly want to give Michael a chance to see what he can do first. 

Also he would only come if he was guaranteed the no.1 spot and the club rightly want to give Michael a chance to see what he can do first. 

Be good to see MF come through

This MUST be the BIGGEST gamble that we have EVERtaken. There is so much pressure on young Mikey. I hope it will make him not break him.

I blame Mark Brown - and I think we should give him feckin pelters tomorrow. A pre contract would have been OK but it has evidently taken the club by surprise and put us in a very dodgy position. and he has classed us as a diddy club in the press.

So I will be relaying all my psychic energies to young Mike and FECK AFF Mark Brown - Glory Hunting, Cash Grabbing Judas Weegie *******.  :008: :008:

Holding back your emotions isn't healthy IHE, you should come out and tell us what you really think  :015: