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Duff's contract offer has been withdrawn according to todays Press and Journal, sounds like Tel got fed up waiting for him, cant say i blame him

So you go for a job with the Royal Bank of Scotland. You sprain your hand when sorting out the till. They tell you to come back in 3 weeks time for a second interview but won't guarantee a job. You feel a little sore but basically fine. HSBC offers you an interview for a similar position and their medic says it's ok to operate the till - just a minor sprain. You have no particular loyalty to either bank. What do you do? I'd imagine most of us would go along to the HSBC interview. If the Royal Bank then come back and want to sign you. Fine. If HSBC do. Fine. You've got no allegiance to either bank, so why would you turn down HSBC on the basis of a mere second interview with absolutely no guarantee of a job? If I was Tel and had concerns about his fitness, I'd get him back in 3 weeks time, if still available, and assess the seriousness of the injury. I certainly wouldn't expect Gilbert to wait around, turning down clubs that don't seem to believe the injury is as serious as ICT do. Perhaps we're just being over-cautious. Perhaps they're being too cavalier. Either way, I don't think the full-back's too blame in trying to get a job with a club that feels his injury is minor. And I don't think he should be criticised for not saying "no thanks" - who said he wouldn't sign a deal if one was offered? He's not turned down a contract as none (as far as I know) has been offered.

I arrived 10 mins late as I still believed it was a 7.45 kickoff (obviously it turned out not to be!) so I had difficulty working out who was who at times, what with all the new or previously unseen faces on the pitch. Now, I realise that the team tonight is probably not our preferred starting eleven, but it's not that far off what we could be seeing in the SPL, especially if injuries strike. Let's just say the jury remains out... Their first goal - the penalty looked very much like a dive from the other end of the pitch, their left winger tore Proctor to shreds (happened quite a bit tonight), cut inside the box and impressively fell over Tokely's feet - there wasn't an outstretched leg or anything... There wasn't much more action in the first half, a few attempts on goal at both ends but nothing very exciting - wasn't majorly impressed with Foran in the lead striker role, he looked pretty weak there, really hope he doesn't play there this season. In the second half Bristol Rovers made something like 9 changes and still looked pretty good. They used the width of the pitch really well, whereas we insisted on playing balls down the middle of the park, expecting people like Nick Ross to compete with some giant centre backs. Ironically, our first goal came from exactly that, a bouncing through ball out did their defender and Nick finished it really well. With substitutions coming thick and fast in the second half we seemed to mostly have an attacking threat based on midfielders - not a recognisable striker among them. Good to see Jonny Hayes getting a run about in the second half - some nice touches and running, but still probably not 100% yet. The frustrating thing was that we really lacked width, we didn't have anyone out on the the right wing for long periods of the second half, and it really held us back. Bristol's second goal came from McLaggon (who looked very good) running at Proctor, and he shot across goal from a very tight angle (all the Bristol fans around me had started groaning that he'd gone too far) when suddenly the ball was in the back of the net. Our second goal came from finally having someone out on the right, Hayes kept the ball in on the touch line, crossed low into the box and the defense just stood and watched as Nick Ross stuck the ball in the net. After that we had some more attacks, again by using the right wing! Why it took so long to realise this I don't know... I think our formation didn't really help matters. Defensively speaking, if we have to rely on Proctor at RB all season we will struggle. He was good going forward, but did not cope well with their pacey wingers. The rest of the defence looked OK though, and Aldred did a decent job. The midfield didn't look all that good as an attacking force - we controlled the ball well, and put some good passes together, but the central 3 did not look remotely attacking minded - our number 8 (Tansey or Morrison?) spent a lot of time running towards our players in possession instead of in to space - still early doors there it seems. Nick Ross and Shinnie were good in their supporting roles, but Foran is not suited to the leading striker role he seemed to be in today. And we clearly had no proper striker to replace him upfront when he was subbed (tactical sub) in the 2nd half. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant evening out, and there was some good footy on display by both teams. But I do think that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Two fantastic signings....and as I understand it, we had first refusal on Doran before he would even look at talking to anyone else who was interested in him...a sign that ICT is perhaps more of a draw for players than we might sometimes give it credit for. Billy McKay (English born Northern Irish Footballer with a Scottish name) I was only vaguely familiar with due to the coverage he got after scoring against Liverpool last year so can't comment on other than to welcome him to ICT and hope that he can settle in quickly and make an impact on the upcoming campaign.

Heh, heh, some good banter on twitter this evening with Hayes (@jonnyhayes7) and Doran (@aardc91)... I tweet as @Nareystoepoker, and felt confident enough this evening to tweet "Keep an eye out for some great old-fashioned wingplay at Caley Thistle this season,with @jonnyhayes7 on one flank and @aardc91 on the other" A few minutes later, I get a wee reply from @jonnyhayes7 "@Nareystoepoker @aardc91 wont get a game :P" Made my evening, that did.

We all know that CTO users are generous, kind and unfailingly supportive of anything good, especially when there's a football twist to it. Here's your chance to prove it. ICT take on Buckie in a charity match on Tuesday 19th July to raise money for charities connected with Daniel Strong, their keeper's wee boy who has been as ill as it gets and coped amazingly. So your roving reporter has decided that I'll cycle to the game and you can sponsor me by the bucket load. You probably realise, with Livestrong etc, that cycling & charity go pretty well together. So leave your pledge on here so we know what we have donated in this thread and make good your pledge by donating your dosh at your bank, on line or by phone into the Daniel Strong Charity Bank Account that has been set up - Sort Code 800666 Account Number 06019486 It's 109 kilometers from stadium to stadium by the route I have planned and when you put in your pledge, have a guess how long it'll take me. To make it worthwhile i'll give the closest guess or two a lovely wee ICT related present for their efforts. So come on, get this thread filled up and let's show how generous CTO users and ICT fans can be. Oh aye, and if you see me on the road there, give me a toot.

With the new season only just 60-something days away, there is no doubt that new signings will be at the forefront of the mind of Terry Butcher - but what kind of players to sign, is also something of great importance. One of the great successes of last season was the return and eventual departure of Mixu Paatelainen and his Kilmarnock side. I only saw that side play live once last season, but they were a joy to watch. Always working the ball on the ground, looking to attack. I truly believe that this is something that ICT should next season replicate. Would Killie have had such a successful season had it not been for the adoption of this style? I don't think so. History has shown us the an ICT side that tries to attack, keeps the ball on the deck and uses the full width of the field of play, is a more successful ICT side than one that looks to hoof it up the park at every opportunity, often losing possession and even matches in the process. Remember the old adage - "It's better to have one win and one loss, than two draws". Attacking football is the simplist way to victory and it is a style that Butcher must get the team to play if he truly wants to grasp a place in the promised land of the top six. And his signings should reflect this - not looking at players who are big and use nothing but brute force, but those who are swift, skilful and intelligent. This would give ICT a real fighting chance to achieve a top six place next season.

From his point of view though he will say that he never asked ICT to do all that for him, most clubs tbh would have just ceased their interest in the player when he got injured to save some money and focus on other targets. I guess by doing all they did they were trying to show him what sort of a club they are and how they look after their players which would stand out more as he wasn't even contracted, however meaning he can do what he wants. Yes maybe not the smartest thing to do but again goes right back to how much did the player want to come to us anyway. He may well have been a good player for us, we'll never know, but I would rather have players playing for us who want to be here rather than feel they had no where else to go or no better options.

Im sure he does want a job but the fact is the club were really keen to get him, payed for his MRI and did their best to persuade him to come North which he seemed happy to do. Gilbert didnt even tell the club he was going back down to MK. Wether he was fit to play or not is really beside the point. The fact is he showed us disprespect by doing what he did. Had he said he was going to play for MK then it would have been dissapointing but acceptable.

I expect the team to go out and give 100% every game. If they do that then we'll be where we deserve to be come the end of the season and you can't ask or expect any more than that.

I would only settle for 11th place if we managed a terrific cup run. We finished 7th last season so why then should we back track and be happy at 11th, I wonder if the players think this as well. Before Doran signed i thought we were favourites to be relegated but he kinda changes alot. We do still need at least 2 defenders in though so until they have been signed i will still be undecided on our real expectations for the season.

Yeah im playing on trial as well tonight

I don't know if we'll be signing another CB. If we can keep Aldred to the end of the season then I think that might be us in terms of signing players. I understand people being worried because he's young, but if we'd signed danny wilson or grant hanley on loan i think we'd be delighted and they're both under 20. Aldred by all accounts so far looks like a bit of a player so lets give him a chance.

I can't say I'll be shedding any tears over this news!

Play with matches you get burned, good luck in the 1st Division next year Stuart.

Highland News reports it as a 2 year deal for Doran.

Someone will need to clarify if Doran is on loan or if he is permanently signed, but delighted to have him back anyway! The boy McKay sounds a prospect and look forward to seeing him in action. Hoping with a bit of help from Foran and Tade he will grab a few goals. A right back and a center half should be priority now.

Stalking footballers is the true purpose of twitter.

You can also add Lee Cox to that list. Glad to see more new faces coming in.

Its a tough one,does either bank offer free travel insurance?

Which is why i think the club should show a little steel for once and boot him into touch. ICT have been more than accomodating thus far. Teach him a lesson i say!

Players OUT: Johnson, - Duff, Innes, Hogg, Munro, Golabek - Odhiambo, Mcbain, Duncan, Blumenstein, Doran, Sanchez, - Rooney Players IN: Tom Aldred, Josh Meekings, - Andrew Shinnie, Greg Tansey - Gregory Tade So thats 13 players out and only 5 in. Surely we have a serious amount of space left to will in terms of wages. In defence i would say i was more comfortable with Hogg and Munro than i am with Adred and Meekings, We have also lost Innes, Duff and Golabek, Will we be bringing in another 2 defenders? So far i think the defence has been weakened. Midfield we have brought in Shinnie and Tansey, Are they better than Doran and Duncan? Again i am not so confident on that. We have also lost another 4 midfielders, will another 2 or 3 be brought in? So far i think the midfield is weak. Attack - We have lost Rooney and brought in Tade, That isn't a good sign at all unless we can bring in someone else. So far i put us up as one of the favourites for relegation UNLESS we can bring in a few quality faces. I really do fear for the season ahead and i'm still sure Butcher will regret releasing Munro and Duncan.

If he doesn't want to be here, let him go. He ain't that good.

I think there could well be a case to play the 4-4-2 diamond next season. Some like this - Cox Tade---------------------------------------------------Hayes Tansey Foran New Striker I think something like that, could well be the best way to play. Hayes and Tade charging up each wing, with Tansey or Andrew Shinnie sitting behind the front two feeding the ball through. I must also say, that Foran has to be played down the middle next season. He's far superior there than on the wing.

He's from Aberdeen and only ever played with Dundee United and the Dons so can't see much connection with Fife. I suspect it's purely the length of the deal (although I've no inside info). So far, he's spent his whole career at established SPL sides, so must think a better contract is out there. He's not the youngest of players, so might think he needs to maximise his earnings at the peak of his career. Getting near to deal-or-no-deal now.

Team for next season will be: Esson Meekings Tokely Aldred Gillett Hayes Cox Ross/Tansey Doran Foran Tade/Mckay/A.Shinnie I reckon that if he does play andrew shinnie and foran up front then he will go back to the 4-2-3-1 formation. Its going to be a challenge to choose between tansey and ross but at the moment i'd pick ross every day of the week. Quietly confident looking at that