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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.

I don't care if a players has been here 10 years or 10 minutes. If he is good he should be playing, it's as simple as that. Butcher has come out about how "all the players are playing for the future". I don't believe that. I reckon he has a good idea who he wants rid of and it won't make a difference how or even if they play. I believe Duncan falls into this category. He seems to have wanted rid of him since the moment he arrived. Again, I don't care about what a player has been like previously. I care about the team now, and where it's going, and if Butcher's serious about building his own team and making it the best it can be, then he ain't going to find a better play than Duncan to play a part in. If he thinks that a better team next season will include Kevin McCann and not Russell Duncan, then next season will be his last. Getting rid of Duncan, could potentially be one of the biggest mistake Butcher could make.

Yes a techy hitch which couldn't be avoided BUT when oh when will we STOP entering CRAP tournaments which we know we can win? This has been going on for years and we must start pitting our wits against better opposition at better tournaments! If any of you care to ask the kids who travelled I'm sure you will be told that it was far too easy! Come on Charlie, never mind the silverware, compete at tournaments which include senior clubs and you will then see if we are making any progress!

I think the S.N.P have done very well as a minority government and Alex Salmond deserves another term as First Minister. I'll vote S.N.P with both votes . I wasn't quite sure what to expect with a minority government but what strikes me about the SNP ministers is their genuine passion for Scotland and will to improve things. I also don't buy into the unionist doomsday view on independence.I find it very patronising . This is an election to choose the next government at Holyrood. Independence would be decided in a referendum of the people and I don't see why anyone should fear or be denied their right to choose, whatever their view.

Now that the facts are known I expect cairngorm to come back on and publicly apologise to Charlie and his team of coaches and to acknowledge that the problems were outwith the control of those involved with ICT. Accept that you took a half story and tried your damnest to make it into a big black mark for ICT without thinking out what you were saying or puting forward the whole picture. Its the organisers of the tournament created the problem. Remember also that these tournaments are a means of developing the kids. Getting them used to competition and to being away from home. Its about letting them experience the game outside of their own communities and about developing their skill. I'm quite sure that, even if they didn't play in the final, they will have gained a great deal from the trip and will put that to good use in their future playing careers.

Ment to be going home Saturday, but, at Perth races today. So a good day today could mean an extra days holiday in Aberdeen!!!.

Thoroughly enjoyed the game. Best for a few months for sure. PC brigade were there as usual. Flag had to be removed due to it being a fire hazard... luckily the linesmans flag didn't burts into flames and my 3.99 Primark t-shirt managed to last the whole match without exploding! Seriously though, despite the poor atmosphere, I enjoyed the game and fantastic performance. Gillet was a wee bit ropey though - a few stray passes, other than this, job well done.

Heard Manchester United is interested in him. Shame it's so far away. Why can't it be on his doorstep like it is Berbatov's or Nani's? Heard this on Sportsound the other night too. It's so difficult to attract players as they have to leave the Central Belt. Their families can come with them but what about the rest of their social circle? Come off it. It's only a few miles up the road. Plenty of Scottish players go off to play in England, Wales and beyond. It's a bit small-minded to think that Inverness is too far away from the street you were born to play for surely. Maybe we could attract better players by simply saying, here's something more than a year's contract. Make a life for yourself. (actually, I'd probably exclude Innes from that rant as he's at an age where there's little chance of a long-term deal, so perhaps he's thinking beyond next season)

Thing about both McBain and Duncan is they only really came on to a game in the last year of Brewster. I would have been desperate to get rid of both of them before that. Both of those players I thought were amongst our best in that doomed season. Bit of a risk getting rid of a solid player who seems to inspire the squad. Obviously not in Butcher's plans but really that means replacing him with another experienced player. Don't think we can go with Duff, Cox, Ross and Proctor as the main midfield men. None of them lead like Duncan. I'd have given him another season.

Not saying that I like to see such things happen, it's never pleasant when someone who has been a good servant to the club is moved on, but we probably have the tightest budget in the league and can't afford to keep players just because they are nice guys or have long service, they need to be contributing. It's part and partial of Butcher building his own squad. Players may suite the way we have played now or in the past, but the Manager might have a different view of the future, one where these players don't fit or are not required. As fans we can sometimes find that hard to swallow, but that's life when it comes to football.

McNamee has been garbage for Aberdeen. Derek Young is also getting released. Is he worth a pun..... ......aye right!