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Wonderful if unexpected news. Securing Richie is, in my opinion, almost as important to our immediate and medium term future as getting the managerial appointment right. I have little doubt, given the regard our former manager has for him, that Richie would have had to opportunity of moving to Hibs in the summer for more money albeit probably for a shorter contract. The board have shown faith and loyalty to Richie giving him a three year extention at his age. He has, in turn, shown faith and loyalty to the club by opting for continuity and long term security rather than short term gain. That, Mr Butcher, is how things should be done.

First of I want to put it out there that I like Strachan as Scotland manager. He's passionate, he's positive and he says the right things. However it dismays me that he can continue to overlook Graeme Shinnie when he's clearly been the best Scottish left back in the country this season. We're in the middle of 2 friendlies which are perfect for trying out new players in the squad. Yet he hasn't even been mooted, despite some excellent performances, especially in recent weeks. Yet a player who hasn't played Scottish top flight football for a year and a half gets in every time simply because of who he plays for. (Note- Lee Wallace is playing well from what I've heard. But he should be able to coast it against plumbers, chippies and sparky's anyway). It's even worse now that Mulgrew is out and Hanley is very doubtful for the Norway game. This probably means a full back like Whittaker or Martin partnering Greer. Shinnie has even shown this season that he's very apt on the opposite side and the way he talks about it shows he has a class attitude "It's just like playing left back only on your weaker foot" (said in a very nonchalant manner). He plays for the team 2nd in Scotland. He's been ever present and good all season. He keeps improving. is it just me or if he was playing for Hibs, Hearts, Dundee Utd and yet in the league positions they are in now, he'd have more chance of a look in?

Excellent news !!! http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1103-foran-signs-three-year-deal

Couldn't have asked, or hoped, for a better signing at this moment in time. Butcher being poached could/should have been a real body blow, but it's a testament to the attitude of the players, club & fans that we've rallied together and lifted the club above all that and kept it moving forward. So much so that the appointment of the new manager almost seems to have become the side show instead of the main event. TOGETHER WE BELIEVE - TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE

Really hope so - got to assume that he is a hugely important presence in the dressing room, and this move by the board shows their determination to try to maintain continuity despite Butcher's departure. He has been our most important, reliable and influential player of the last four years without a doubt, in probably the most transformational period our squad has ever gone through, and if he wasn't already an ICT legend, this surely confirms him as one. I suspected he'd be away at the end of the season too, so this is a really pleasant boost.

petition is now through the 1000 figure - please keep it going! Ta.

What about Hope Powell ? She may have stayed too long in the England post but she is a tactically shrewd coach and good motivator with an excellent win ratio and who's teams are noted for attacking and attractive football. Having a former iconic international captain raised the profile of the club but just think of the impact being the first senior professional club to appoint a woman manager would have. The media interest in ICT would be phenomenal not just within the UK but throughout the world.

You are mostly wrong to be fair but I agree with you on the Sevco job, once an Orc always an Orc in my opinion If Butcher does well at Hibs he will be the main man to take over from Sally who can't cut it at the top level Terry and Mo are taking a risk but they are right to state they are moving to a superior club, whether some of us agree with this or not we have to look at the facts 1. Our stadium is a joke compared to Easter Road, the atmosphere generated at both Edinburgh grounds can be really good compared to our sole less gaff. Both Easter road and Tynecastle are relatively city centre locations that embrace the local communities and bring the punters in. The Caledonian stadium embraces nothing other than the chilling wind from the Moray firth and the waft of turds from the dump 2. Our training facilities are shambolic, for a top club to travel 11miles or so to Fort George is not good enough, it's time our board have a look around Victoria park the next time we are through to see what excellent set up and facilities they have and see if we can possibly replicate something similar or be it maybe on a smaller scale 3. Our fanbase is also shameful, Butcher fired the warnings already he rightly stated this season on more than a few occasions that our home crowd is quiet and pitiful in numbers. It's sad but its true we are second in the SPL and in a semi for a cup yet we can only muster 2000 home fans through the gates. He sussed that the fanbase has now reached its peak at present and I think this was one of the main reasons he jump ship As usual the happy clappers won't like the above but it's time we all faced up to harsh reality, Terry and Mo have moved to a superior set up and by doing so they are furthering their managerial careers something we all would have done if we were all to be honest Unless the club change the direction they are going and address the above points they will be more Terry Butcher situations in the future I just hope the players can carry on like they were albeit without the gaffer but I do see an exodus in January and I'd be very surprised that Terry doesn't come back and raid the club despite what's being said in the press Dougal 1. You can't spell soulless. I'm sure we'd plumb for a city centre location if we could afford it. Alas, we don't own the land. The council do. So we can't sell if to Tesco and look for a new gaff nearer the city centre, as much as we'd love it. 2. 11 miles is nothing to travel. It's a 20 minute drive. What's your daily commute to work? Any person living on the edge of a major city and travelling into work will normally have a 40 minute plus commute. So that is a completely invalid arguement, especially regarding Butcher as Hibs complex is 13 miles from Easter Road (although closer to where a lot of the players live in East Lothian admittedly). Yes our facilities are basic, but I'm sure we can improve them piece by piece over time. All comes down to money again Dougal. The club would rather stay solvent in the mean time it appears. Oooooh darn them. 3. Inverness has a population of around 50,000. Lets say 1/4 are right into football. 13000. Lets divide that again by 4. 1/4 ICT, 1/2 Rangers and Celtic, 1/4 others (Ross County, Aberdeen, English Prem teams etc) So that's 3250. Lets say half of them are hard core. 1625. Sorry, but when it comes down to it, getting 2000 is about right. In time we may be able to convert young daft OF fans and increase that through our School programs etc but you are again not being realistic. We are already the cheapest team to watch in the SPL. What do you want the club to do? Realistically what is YOUR solution. (For reference Edinburgh has a population of just shy of 500,000 (10X Inverness) and is part of a larger urban zone of just over 800,000. Hibs can probably draw support from around 1/3rd of Edinburgh, same as Hearts and the Old Firm again (they get all over). as well as a minority of EPL fans and me. They also have significant support in Fife. This is why they can attract 15000 to a game even on bad days. This is why they expanded their ground. They easily have the fan base and therefore capital to justify it. Add to the fact they are one of the oldest teams in Scotland means that they have solid ingrained tradition and therefore many dyed in the wool fans. Which we can't realistically hope to have. So Dougal, next time you think, ask yourself 3 questions before posting. 1. is it a realistic demand? 2. Do I have a solution to the problem I ponder the club? 3. Can I afford to sort it for the club who I know can't afford all these pretty things I want? If you answer no to any of these. Please refrain.

Hi everybody! I introduce myself to you. I hope that this is the right section, since I speak of passion for Inverness. if it is the wrong section I apologize, and I hope you will forgive my mistake, I'm new to the forum. I’m from italy, but I love scottish football. Some years ago I’have never been in Scotland (I travelled only in Wales, England, and Ireland) and my first love in scottish football was Celtic (I hope that you don’t hate me, what Inverness supporters think about Celtic?). Afterwards I came in Scotland to see a Celtic match, and in this occasion I also traveled throughout Scotland, especially in the highlands, for two weeks. I saw Inverness, and I was in love with this beautiful city, and the people of the highlands (I travelled up to John O’ Groats and Durness) and their traditions, and I keep a good memory especially about Inverness. Now I support both Celtic (thanks to whom I have known Scotland) and Inverness (the love that I find in Scotland). I hope that you don’t hate me for that, I repeat! PS: I had some problems to connect and register. What is the reply at the question “If one train travels 50 miles west at 30 mph and another travels 23 miles east at 100mph, what day is it now?”

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/443799/Chris-Sutton-favourite-for-Caley-Thistle-post Even though it's only speculation but if you're reading this Kenny Cameron - Don't choose Chris Sutton! The only way I would consider Chris Sutton as a first team coach along side Henrik Larsson as Manager and John Hartson as an assistant. Sure that's very Celtic minded but the three of them in their prime were the best strike force in Scotland and would teach Billy McKay and young Toby a thing or two! But please not Chris Sutton as manager!

This is fantastic news, and sends a clear message about how this club is held in great regard by players and fans alike . Overwhelmingly positively. Cheers Richie!

Well knock me down with a feather - sometimes I'm delighted to be wrong! Mr Foran you are a gent - thank you

Not often we all agree on here but this is one bit of news which seems to be welcomed by all. A great bit of work by our Board. It is interesting that prior to "Hibsgate" Foran was saying that he was surprised that Butcher had not renewed his contract with the club and would wait until he had decided what he was doing before himself deciding what to do. Well Butcher's b*ggered off and Richie has almost immediately committed himself to stay. I wonder what that says about how Richie feels about the man who's favoured son he has been these last few years! It is not just great news that Foran has signed a 3 year deal because of the player he is, it is great news because he is the captain and his example will maybe convince one or two others to stay. It is actually amazing to see just how many of the first choice XI are signed up to the end of next season or beyond so there is real reason to believe that if we continue to do well this season, the continuity of personnel will see us push on even further next season. Some folk have been saying we will miss Marsala more than Butcher or Malpas. Well, it looks like we won't miss him at all next season - there'll be no vacant places to fill.

A morale booster for All.................roll on Saturday. Two tremendous signings post Butcher, That's the way to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our excellent Chaiman, Kenny Cameron has been named chief executive of the year for the Scottish premiership. The award has been made by FCBusiness website and magazie. I don't know how infuentential this website is bt I do think the award is very well deserved - well done.

And I hear there's a revolving door at Easter Road lol........predict it will be propelling rapidly around Christmas 2014 for the Suffolk Turkey

Paddy power!

Did anyone read Davie Provan's page in the Sun yesterday. 'the Highlanders should dry their eyes and use the BBC TV money to provide free buses for fans'.........utter clown

Great news and well done the board for the fast bit of business

Delighted!!

Slightly more in favour of Shiels after watching that 20 minute clip in its entirety. It certainly shows another side to him but isn't that the idea of the video anyway? Its PR/Marketing 1.0.1. ..... Film him as a humble and deep thinking average working guy with the aim of showing how he has been demonised in the media and use it to offset the sometimes ludicrous comments he made when journalists pushed buttons which they knew would get the desired reaction. not quite there yet? ok, throw in a jokey chat with the assistant at the end to cement the whole thing. I remember seeing Robbo and Park doing exactly the same routine ! I have no clue who should be our next manager. Being on the other side of the pond I have to admit to not being up on what the likes of Hartley, Sheerin or others are doing right now in terms of success, and out of all the names mentioned, only Robbo is front and centre for me and mostly because he is not a manager these days. Bottom line, this is a huge decision for the club and I am going to put my faith and trust in Kenny Cameron and the board to make the right decision. If they feel Kenny Shiels is the right man, I will get behind him. If they feel it is Robbo and Barry then the same will apply and the same goes for Hartley, Sheerin, Levein, Burley or anyone else.

Great use of the expected Hibs compensation. Can't wait fer the list of contracted players to be revised and displayed.

Fantastic news !

That's fantastic! Well done whoever negotiated that!

An unexpected surprise, great news. Oh, and and GIRFUY Butcher.

I see Craig Brown is touting Kenny Shiels for the job. If that's not a good indicator for not appointing him, I don't know what is!

FFS Kris Boyd get's a shout, hope for Shane Sutherland yet.

So from recollection we dropped something like 60 points last year, however it was all down to Pepper in one game in which he came on that we missed out on Europe. Not losing so many points in the last few minutes of games or OTD failing to track his man on at least four occasions leading to goals, etc

I tweet bbc sport sound on Saturday and they brought up my tweet. I asked the very question why is one of the best left/right backs being overlooked? As per usual graham 'I'll eat my hat' spiers basically said he had no chance playing for a diddy team like us. (Even though a shinnie got called up!) That's how we are viewed. Let's win the league cup, get a final in Scottish cup and 2/3 in league then we can shove that fecking proverbial hat downs spiers' throat!!

Totally agree with you Kingsmills. Given our current status as 2nd best team in Scotland there's a fair chance several hundred more will apply. I just hope KC wades thru the sh*te and then appoints Paul Sturrock.....

The more I've thought about it (and after hearing him interviewed on Radio Scotland on Saturday), the job has to go to Paul Hartley.

The reason I wouldnt want Robbo as manager is hes too fat.

Of course, Graeme would deserve to be in the squad. As you, iamthecaptain1, I think if he was playing for another club like Hibernian or Dundee United, he would have had his chance for a long time. I don't know why when somebody plays for Inverness (or for St Johnstone in the case of Stevie May), it's very hard for him to be called.

I'm with you on this one YMIP, would be a source of extreme embarrassment and tarnish our reputation. We need somebody with integrity as well as experience and ambition, not a Judas type character looking for a stepping stone. There's one candidate fits the bill for me and I cannot understand why he's been overlooked for many recent vacancies.......step up Jimmy Calderwood, the tanning salons of Inverness eagerly await your imminent arrival!

Can I have a pint of what you're drinking ?!?!

CaleyD - you may have picked up on the fact that I don't fancy Sheils for the gig. I've had the misfortune of listening to his histrionics on Radio Scotland on numerous occasions so my previous comments are simply my personal opinion on the guy. I don't see how this constitutes misrepresentation. Graham Speirs is one hack promoting Sheils' appointment and there have been several others singing his praises. To me his cringeworthy rants are manna from heaven to these guys. They want him back in work as his pantomime dame act gives them plenty to write about. I don't want him at ICT but as I'm merely a punter expressing my opinion on a supporters forum I seriously doubt the powers that be or Mr. Sheils will be losing sleep over my thoughts on the matter. I kind of thought that was the purpose of a forum......

Are you suggesting that there are 20 year olds who were lying in their prams so embittered by the merger that they now will not go anywhere near the Longman or that all of the thousands of people who have moved to Inverness over the last two decades were such ardent Caley or Thistle fans supporting from their lounges in Berkshire or Stirling that they now wish the merged club nothing but ill will ?

Was tempted to bite Johndo but give this a rest. Merger is history and I cannot seriously believe that it is having a major impact on attendances now. Inverness public are starting to get what they deserve by not supporting their team. Huisdean, you are absolutely right.

Still waiting to see the full list of genuine candidates but so far it is beteween Shiels and Hartley, for me. I did also think Levein would be good for us but apparently we can't get near the money he's looking for and so will not be considered for the job, unless he gets serious about getting back to work and is prepared to accept a more realistic salary.

On the wing? That would be a sage move! From there, he could give teams a right good stuffing! If we deployed him effectively against the team from Perth, we could say he was our St Johns(tin-foil). A good replacement for Butcher (unintended pun) would be the old wise head of Jimmy Bone...We just need to pluck up the courage to make him the beak. I really wish-Bone was here! That last one was truly offal...

I think one of the many things Butcher did well was to distance himself from the "Heathmount crowd" adding a more professional approach. I hope whoever is appointed is strong enough to keep that going, Shields would be strong enough I am sure

Look at the problem from the SPFL view. Is the big issue here not just the TV slot worth £80k? Solve that and you solve the other issue. An Alba perhaps? The attendance for last year's semi was 16,326. Tickets were £15 and £5. Holding the semi in Perth would lose 6,326 seats at perhaps £80k. With TV at Perth the loss to ICT might be about £20k as the share of TV revenue. However, the atmosphere and spectacle for TV would be first class. However, the first train does not get in until mid day so that is not really a goer. Pittodrie has a capacity of 22,199 and if the game was a sell out it could be played at 3 pm without TV revenue. Shunning TV revenue is though a dangerous game in Scotland. I doubt if the game would be a sell out. Damn Highlanders!! Will probably only muster 1746 supporters at Easter Road as things stand.

It took McKay a while to get used to the premier league and to start scoring goals so you never know, he could be the new Billy!

Wouldn't want Lennon as number one but he would make a good number two under Juanjo..

Ouch Honestly , I thought TB should stayed , won a league Cup (very possible) and he would have become an iconic figure in ITCFC history. Now everythings obviously fractured , opinions divided , reputation scarred to a degree and a bloody good job , well done , possibly forgotten , Well the Judas and Derby bit was of course sarcastic and inflammatory but you were a tad sharp yerself initially. I am afraid that the manner and timing of his departure have dulled many of the good things that happened before. Many fans believed in the virtue, honesty and apparent loyalty of TB and I would say that he has angered some to the core due to an act of pure selfishness.