The Inverness courier has a bit with Graeme Bennett saying ICT are hopefulof signing 1 if not 2 defenders before the motherwell game.

Anyone heard any more?

Names of players??

:024:

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fu...nd_for_ICT.html

One of them is central defender Darren Kelly of Derry City (managed now by Robbo of course). Fee has been agreed with Derry. Aberdeen and Kilmarnock are interested in him too.

funnily enough my courier says were only expecting to sign 1 def before todays game not 2,but spoken to 3 players from north=south of border,1 on loan 2 permenant

SCOTTISH Premier League side, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, have matched Derry City's valuation of their transfer listed central defender, Darren Kelly while Kilmarnock and Dundee United have been joined by Aberdeen in a race to sign the 28-year-old.

ARTHUR DUFFY

reports

Confirming that a bid had been tabled by an SPL club, Brandywell boss, John Robertson refused to identify the team involved but 'Journal' sources in Scotland have confirmed that it was Highlands club, Inverness, who are keen to sign the Creggan man.

The bid, understood to be in the region of ?35,000 with a sell-on clause, will be discussed by the club's Board of Directors this weekend, while the other clubs have been informed of the development.

"We've received an offer for Darren," confirmed Robertson. "The club involved has met the valuation of the Board of Directors but there are another two clubs interested in signing him. We have already given them permission to speak with Darren and, as far as I know, those negotiations have taken place.

"Indeed, he's been involved in training and also played a practice game 'behind closed doors' and those clubs interested in him have been informed about this week's development. Now it's up to them," he added.

"It's my view that the Board have placed a fair valuation on him and, indeed, protected the club over the long term - with the provision of a sell-on clause - and I would imagine that others interested may well be in touch this weekend.

"It's very much up to Darren. If the other two clubs which have made approaches opt not to match or better the bid, then Darren will have to make a decision on his future. The ball is now very much in his court," declared Robertson.

However, over the past 24 hours the same 'Journal' sources in Scotland have confirmed that Aberdeen have now entered the race. That said, the Creggan man has always made it clear that he wishes to reside in the North-West of England (Carlisle to be exact), therefore, there's no doubt that his preferred option would be a move to Kilmarnock, should that club maintain its efforts to sign him.

From the P&J

Caley Thistle have launched an audacious bid to recruit Celtic defenders Scott Cuthbert and Adam Virgo on one-year loan deals.

The Highlanders only have four senior players - Grant Munro, Stuart McCaffrey, Ross Tokely and Richard Hastings - whose natural positions are at the back. They have been trying to bring in cover and wanted to sign someone in time for today's SPL trip to Motherwell.

That will not happen but hopes are high a deal can be struck with champions Celtic to bring at least one of their players north before next week's game at St Mirren.

Virgo spent last term on loan at Coventry City.

Cuthbert, Scotland's captain at this summer's under-20 World Cup in Canada, has yet to appear for the Celtic first team but did spend time at Livingston last season and the Bhoys are keen to farm him and Virgo out again for another year.

Caley Jags director of football Graeme Bennett said: "We have spoken to Celtic about both Scott and Adam. Discussions are ongoing and we will pick them up again next week."

profile of Kelly from the Derry website:

Kelly made his debut in the City colours aged just 16 and is in his second spell at the club, having been sold to Carlisle for ?100,000 when Kevin Mahon was in charge.

That move didn't work out for the Creggan man, and after a spell with Portadown, returned to club last season.

Kelly slotted in seamlessly, and scored the crucial equaliser away to Gretna when City dished out the famous 5-1 hammering.

Known for his fantastic aerial ability, Kelly is confident with the ball at his feet and is commonly regarded as one of the best defenders in the League.

Recognition of this fact came as Kelly was named in the Premier Division Team of the Year in 2006.

Having missed half of last season, Darren will be looking to start this season with a bang, hoping to add to the two League goals he managed last time out.

Last updated Feb 2007

P&J saying we have made a ?35k bid for Kelly which meets Derry's valuation of the player although the fee could rise to ?50k with add ons

Not holding my breath as palyer has publicly expressed a desire to move back to north of England for family reasons and 2 other clubs are also interested  :rolleyes02:

................ and if all else fails we could try to tempt bobby mann back!

Try Cuthbert--in action in Canada at the under 20 tournament.

*Not Virgo anyway*

Virgo is a snooker player anyway. You could tell that by his performance at the Caledonian Stadium last season - our boys played better than him.

Motherwell were unable to cover Virgo's wages so I doubt if we could either.

Motherwell were unable to cover Virgo's wages so I doubt if we could either.

rumour has it he was after about ?5k a week, way too much for a celtic reject