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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.

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.

Spot on with all of this. I guess the greater chagrin around Duncan's and Munro's departures simply reflects the fact that the majority of posters feel they still have a lot to offer the club on the field, while it was generally accepted that, legends though both are, Golly and Mcbain had come to the end of their top flight careers. I certainly believe that both Duncan and Munro should have been retained and should have been starters in all our games this season. Surely there must be a personality issue between Butcher and these players, and while it's understandable that he wants a unified squad, is it really sensible management to cut loose two players, who have been demonstrably as committed to the ICT cause this season as they have for the past decade, on personality grounds? Maybe I'm being far too sentimental, but despite the success Terry Butcher has brought to the club, I've lost a little confidence in him with this decision, and I'm willing to bet (Top Six Next Year, are you ready to take me up on this?) that we will finish in a lower position next season than this, partly because these club lynchpins will not be adequately replaced.

With Russell's time drawing to a close, what will you most remember him by? The goal in the cup versus Dundee United? His role in both our First Division promotions? His "Never Say Die" attitude? A player underrated by many a fan, but his commitment to the ICT cause can never be faulted. A player who never did anything spectacular, just did what it said on the tin, week in week out and was instrumental in ICT's recent success'. Personally, I believe Butcher has made the worst decision in his managership so far in letting Russell go as Duff and Ross are in no way, shape, or form in the same league as Duncan and finding players of his ability in the modern market is one hell of a task. So good luck to him at his new club, and I hope he proves Butcher wrong. Scottish football needs more men like Russell Duncan.

The Club statement tells us very little. Money may be tight but have we not been told that the money available for next year is the same as last? That being the case, it is surprising that someone who has started 35 times for the team this season is apparently not wanted next. Grant has also scored some important goals for the side and is 5th highest scorer with 4 (4 more than Nick Ross!). It may be that Grant is at that age where he is not going to get better but he still has a few years left in him and he has a wealth of experience. If retained, he might not start 35 times next season but he would be an extremely valuable cover player at the very least. The number of starts he has had this season clearly indicated that Terry rates him so I guess there is something else going on here. Grant may well feel that he should have the captaincy back and may be unwilling to play another season under Foran's leadership on the park. Perhpas Terry is confident that he has a stronger central defence lined up for next season and there is simply no room anymore for Grant - time will tell. Whilst I would be extremely sorry to see such a fantastic servant of the club as Grant Munro leave, I also accept there is no room for sentimentality in football if the club is to move onwards and upwards. As you step up to another level, it is inevitable that you have to ditch players who have bust a gut in getting you to where you are. But in this case it is surely not sentimentality to say that Grant can still do a useful job for the club. I don't accept this is about finance and I doubt that the club will come clean on the real reason. It's a sad day for the club IMHO.

Interesting times. I guess part of me is as amazed as most other posters. Roy, Russell, Grant and Stuart have all made a massive contribution to Caley Thistle in the last decade. On that point, I think, we are all agreed. Playing time must be nearly up for both Roy and Golly but Munro and Duncan both have a few years left and clubs will be interested in them. It's very easy for fans to get a bit sentimental about players who have been around for a long time. As ICT fans we have been used to previous managers tinkering with the squad each summer - two or three out and in. Terry's approach seems to be different and that doesn't mean it's wrong. The manager has got to be asking himself how he can improve Caley Thistle. How can he take them to the next level. If he's not doing that then he shouldn't be in the job. All of these players have never been able to get ICT to the top six. With each passing year they will be less likely to contribute in a manner that will move ICT forward. No doubt there will be others moving out too and everybody about to go out of contract will be feeling very nervous right now. It looks like we could have a good few unfamiliar faces in place come the start of 2011-12 and the challenge for Butcher is twofold. First of all he need to be find players who are better than the ones he has disposed of. Secondly, he needs to ensure his new squad gels together quickly enough to make a reasonable start to the new season. The SPL can be a very unforgiving place for a club making a slow start.

Every manager of any team has a right to pick his own players and, on the flipside, get rid of those that need to go. It's the same at every club, and TB oviously rates Cox higher than Duncan and must feel that Gillet & Shinnie are adequate in Granty's position. it's just a harsh reality. You can't say that decisions are "too decisive" or can you attach arbitary timeframes to them. Duncan has been in and out of the team all this year, which indicates a decision making process and Grant has aso missed a few games. That both players have been at the club for as long as they have also indicates loyalty - but you can't simply keep people you don't need on the wagebill because of sentiment. Look at the progress that Sutherland, Ross & Shinnie have made and the whole argument about not progressing through the ranks becomes tosh. I realise that people feel emotionally raw on this issue right now, but some of the arguments put forward for keeping them have been a bit flawed. I personally look forward to an new model ICT next year.

Its definitely a sad day, both have been stalwarts of our club as have the other two players whose release is not garnering as much chagrin. Granty is 3rd in all time appearances for the club at 363 (3 behind Hastings) and Russell is 5th on the list at 351 (2 behind Barry). I wonder if either of them might move up a place between now and end of season? With Roy McBain in 6th on 342 and Golly 8th on 263 we have just cut 4 of our all-time top 10 appearance makers who have an incredible 1319 appearances between them. You do not replace that level of experience overnight, nor do you expect people to be happy about losing players who have shown such fabulous loyalty to the club in a day and age where such things are seldom heard off .... Personally, I am also sad at the end of the Granty era for another reason. I personally sponsored him when he first broke into the squad as a youngster and either by myself, through the site or latterly through the "internutters" sponsorship of the site members, he has been sponsored by us for his entire ICT career - at the start, when he started to cover for injuries, when he broke into the team and formed a partnership with Bobby, through the time he was captain, and right up to the end of this season. Very sad.

What a poor statement. Besides spelling Golabek's name wrong, it completely fails to mention the entire purpose of the press release, ie that these players are not being offered new contracts and will be leaving. Looks like a rush job that nobody checked.

As much as i agree with changing things for the better, losing two of our longest serving players is extreme, Especially Grant, he is born and raised on ICT.

Duff is a waste of a wage. Not surprised about Golly and Roy but letting Grant leave is going to **** of the majority of our fanbase. I hope he knows what he's doing...

If you consider form over the last 5 or so months, we are clearly one of the very bottom teams in the SPL. So a relegation battle is very much on the cards for next season unless we: A - bring in better players than the ones we've got, OR B - get a better manager than the one we've got. Whilst Butcher has made mistakes, very few people would suggest he should be sacked. Which, unfortunately, leaves major changes to the playing squad as the only realistic option if we want to improve.

I think butcher has something up his sleeve. I still have complete confidance in him :)

A sad day for the club. I never thought Munro would be one of the players that would be leaving. As a 21 year old who has grown up watching ICT. It will be strange to see a teamsheet without Munro and Duncan on it. The club better have a good plan in place or let us know what the hell is going on.

Alternative Maryhill--what you write comes close to what my reaction is. Latent fear and nervousness for next season. I don't get a good feeling about this because the decisions appear to be too decisive, too quick and too far reaching , possibly leaving a team exposed to danger with the core gutted. And since all the statements seem to refer to "no money to do this and that" what happens if Terry cannot get a new team all lined up and firing on all cylinders in time, with not a heck of a lot of experience to fall back on as a resultof these decisions? And what of the loyalty of new players unless they have come through the ICT system or live, and have been brought up, locally? And if these players have come up through the system will they be able to make it in the SPL? Yes or no? And how many revolving doors does Management feel they will need under Terry to accommodate his plans and dreams for the future? Finally, what about Terry himself? What if he decides to depart to juicier pastures new? In such a scenario where will ICT's team backbone and future be, and lie, respectively with all these changes having been made and perhaps no obvious replacements actually signed right now. As I said earlier, I am just speculating and hope none of my misgivings ever see the light of day down the road to the detriment of Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.

Grant Munro was the only player at the club to take a pay cut this season , terrible way to treat an ex captain of the club .

All have been exceptional servants to the club and good luck to all of them.

I hope it's false that Duff has been offered a contract!

Duff getting a new contract is laughable.

Shocking that Grant is being told that he is no longer needed! So Duff is good enough but not Grant or Russell. Both are ICT through and through, experienced, dependable and relativley young. We don't have a huge squad to lose players that will not be replaced one way or another therefore incurring signing on fees etc. I really cannot see the logic here other than he doesn't like for whatever reason most of the players that were here before he was. I can only wish Grant the very best for his future, your services will be sorely missed.

The judgement of whether this is right or wrong will (and should) be based upon the quality and performance of players who are coming in and not those who are leaving. At the end of the day, we are a bottom six team with the majority of our team bottom six players. If Butcher thinks to move the team on we need to increse the quality of the player then fine. Time will tell whether he gets this right. Notwithstanding the above, I would personally be keeping RD and probably Grant also. I have to say that my friends and I have discussed on a number of occasions at games that players brought in by Butcher do seem to get away with more than those inherited (in terms of poor performance). I have to say that I thought Grant's time was up when Bitcher failed to support him when he was sent off a couple of months back. Re Duff, he is undoubtably technically superior to Russell, however in terms of effectiveness as central midfielders Russell wins hands down in my eyes. After the effect injuries have had on our season I would not touch McCann with a barge pole. Ability counts for nothing when you are on the physios table for most of the season.

WTF is Butch thinking???????????????????????

Ive got to agree that the 4-3 Livi match is still one of my favourite matches. Around that time i loved all the distance derbies we had with them and i'm looking forward to the friendly this summer.

To be honest, I thought he'd been dead for years. All we got were easily imitated audio tapes and videos that didn't quite look genuine. Well done but doubt there'll be a shred of difference. At least it might stop the racists and easily-led accusing Obama of being a terrorist.

It was 16. i think i hit the jackpot a section to myself

I wasn't at that game as I had exams at Uni but I'd just like to say I really dislike Livingston. Such an unlikeable club.

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.

Like many others, I'll be sorry to see Duncan go. I fear it is the thin edge of the wedge for the old guard. McBain a few weeks ago, Duncan now, how long for Munro, Tokeley, Golabek? Not long I suspect. Inevitable I suppose. I hope Terry has some good replacements lined up. That's a lot of experience to lose, especially if they all go together.

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.

back door?

Great shame if he is indeed being let go. Adds stability and steel to our team that I don't see from some of the other players who are played in his place. If Butcher is going on about players fighting for contracts etc then I really canne see what Duncan had done wrong on the park as in my mind he has always been one of our most reliable guys. All I can think of is that his face just doesn't fit and to shun such a long serving player for that IMO is at best unfortunate and worst petty and unprofessional if he is doing a job on the park. Maybe he just slept with Butcher's missus! Regardless, if he is away I wish him the very best and every sucess in whatever the future holds for him.

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..

I have to go with Terry on this, seeing as it's him that's the manager that has us on course to equal our best ever league finish, two seasons on from our most devastating season, which he very nearly rescued. Foran, Hayes, Gillet, Tuffy and Cox are all Butcher signings, so every player he signed that you thought was pants, there's that one you like. If he's not using Duncan, why keep him? There's absolutely no way losing a player we don't use is the beginning of the end for our manager. Duncan is a good player, and an ICT fan, just as The Butch is a good manager, and an ICT fan but Tel Butch has decided he doesn't need him. I just hope we don't have to play against him next season, or any other. Good luck Russell.

A change is as good as a rest, good luck to who ever we let go. I trust TB.

Shows how bad things have come in football today when a second division championship encounter from 12 years ago is the talking point of this day.