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Just to remind folk, the average Celtic first team player earns £20k/week. The average ICT first team player earns less than a twentieth of that. Some people have some rather unreasonable expectations. As Aberdeen showed in the first half last week, we are hugely vulnerable whenever the opposing midfield gets behind ours. Today, Williams and Draper were concentrating more on defending than attacking, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well they did. The flip side of course is that we offer less going forward, but we were still in the match right till the end, we tested Forster from distance a few times, and frankly Draper should have done massively better with his late opportunity. I was impressed by our instance on trying to pass out of defence, rather than hoof ball up the pitch; it was good to see Nick Ross coming very deep on occasion to try and get on the ball. I remain a champion of Doran, who continues to work hard and look for the ball. When he gives it away, it's usually because there isn't a pass on, not because he is sloppy. The only player I had a particular beef with today was Watkins, who only got behind the full back once, but on the other hand his defensive work was general excellent. Aside from Commons, Celtic's forwards were quiet, which is a testament to how well the defence played. There was one major lapse - and, unfortunately, it cost us a goal. There's a lot more to be encouraged than discouraged about. I'd be inclined to pick the same team for the derby.

Think its time to bring Raven back in to the team and I would move Shinnie into midfield until Foran is back, Williams just isn't cutting it. Doubt Hughes will see that though as he appears to have a soft spot for him.

With Pre and half time refreshments in the Cairns. Sound like a plan. Get CJT to run it past Doncaster!!

Shows how limited partick are when the Well can take 5 off them. The signs were there on Boxing Day, as somebody said they're useless in midfield but we just didn't show up. Two points dropped, probably more important than losing 3 points today.

Are people seriously suggesting that we start to drop players from the starting XI that got us up to second in the league? We don't have the squad depth to be rotating players every week and we certainly don't have the players who can come in deputise for folk like Draper and Doran just hanging around in the reserves. Good point made about the Doran / Raven link up. Would be interested to see just how many goals have come down the right since Shinnie went in there are right back. The Greenhalgh tweet could well be something completely innocent should I wouldn't be trying to read something into it. As for the game I thought it was a very dull showing. Celtic were out the blocks quickest but after they scored they seemed happy to contain and seldom threatened for the rest of the match. We toiled in the middle of the park and could barely string together a pass in the final attacking third. Some good half chances were passed up but I must admit I am struggling to remember what they were like. It was a very forgettable match. Williams is getting some very unfair flack both on here and on Twitter. As I said on the Partick thread we are trying to fit square pegs into round holes whilst Foran is out and / or until we can sign a replacement even on a temporary basis. I thought Williams did a solid enough job and used the ball more effectively than he did against Aberdeen but you could certainly see there wasn't a good understanding between the two guys in the middle. Attacking wise I thought we were very poor. We seemed to take the wrong option at the crucial time be it taking on an extra man or delaying the cross or playing a poor killer ball we just didn't seem to click. We were unlucky not to get a point but we've played far better than we did today and gotten thumped. The acid test now is to get the guys set up for County. Three points against the worst team in the SPL, if it wasn't for Hearts points deduction, is an absolute must as far as I am concerned.

Try supporting the inverness players instead of slating them!!!!

I thought we played a decent passing game, especially in the second half. No the worst result against Celtic. SawJH post match interview, talks more tactical sense than TB. Looking forward to RC game.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=631898670209706&set=vb.405206902878885&type=2&theater

Agree with the calls on here for Raven back, whether we keep Tremarco at LB and play Shinnie left mid. Williams looked a bit lightweight but that's the first time I have seen him so perhaps its not fair to judge him against celtic. The defence earlier in the season before Raven got injured was solid, yes there have been some good performances with Tremarco at LB and Shinnie RB but I think other teams have sussed us out with that and we need to revert to our strongest unit. We also need to move the ball faster and as I have said more than a few times this season we need our wide players to go outside and pass the man to cross, thats the benefits Raven gave us overlapping, too often Doran and Ross come inside and we play too narrow.

What was more disgusting than anything was his horrible arrogant attitude to an 83 year old man.

Drop the club a note. Maybe the stewards can see that theses toilets are used by the disabled only. There's always twats out there unfortunately.

Well put it this way. From what we have seen, there is very little evidence that he is capable of doing well for us upfront, and add to that the fact that he is a 22 year old striker who hasn't scored even a single goal since he was 18. We need a 2nd choice striker who is at least remotely capable of challenging for a 1st team place, and sadly he isn't the answer. He was a panic signing when it became apparent that Curtis was a total dud.

Just after watching Yogi's post match interview on the official YouTube channel, I wholeheartedly agree with what he said regards the January transfer window: "If we can keep everyone at this football club, then I make that good business" I think that the depth in the squad is actually not too bad when you compare this squad to last seasons. Do we need to strengthen? - I don't think so. What we need to do is Yogi to get in about the squad and be the motivator that Terry Butcher was. However, with Curtis Allen leaving and Toby Agdestein's contract running out next month, I think Yogi needs to address the strikers situation as we are very light. Will we be renewing Toby's contract? Is Calum Ferguson ready to be a back up striker? What about the Arsenal link up, is it still there after Philip Roberts, we could utilise that. Other than strikers, I think our current squad is the best we could ask for and we desperately need to keep hold of that. I agree about an assistant manager coming in though.

moral of the story, don't waste your time argueing with an idiot.

Thought the passing game from the back worked well. Would like to see more of young Christie, excellent few touches in his short debut.

I don't see any reason for dropping Draper, but even if there was, who do we have who could come in for him? With Foran out, Draper is the only experienced midfielder we have who provides that sort of strength and presence. Polworth has barely played, and Devine isn't a midfielder. I also thought Doran's performance today was an improvement on the last few games: he maybe didn't present a very serious threat, but his movement and ball retention were better than they have been recently. Having been quite critical of him recently, i'd be inclined to keep him in against County and see if he can raise his level further. Personally I'd keep Ross in ahead of Williams, but if Hughes is determined to keep Williams playing in the deeper role and playing Ross off Mckay, then I could see an argument for replacing Ross with Ryan Christie a little farther down the line - initially using him as a sub and bringing him on earlier than he was introduced today, but if he builds on the promise that he showed today, then eventually starting games with him.

On the balance of possession, we were probably a bit unlucky to lose that, although we didn't create too many clear chances. Much more creative and patient in the build up than we were against Partick - hopefully we take that into the derby. Williams was probably a bit better than he was in the previous two games and showed some nice touches in linking play, but still looks very lightweight in that area. Meekings was excellent at the back and Shinnie and Watkins again linked very well going forward. The most encouraging thing about the whole game was Ryan Christie's performance as a late sub - several great little touches around the edge of the area, and a tenacious bit of ball retention on the left. He looked desperate to be involved in everything and offered more in less than ten minutes than Toby has in all his sub appearances put together.

Good response to conceding an early goal. Really need to stoke it up for next 45: next goal crucial! C'mon Inverness!!

ICT's record in Paisley against St. Mirren is more than decent! All-time, all competitions... Played 22, won 9, drawn 8, lost 5. (averaging 1.6 points per game) More recently, since our return to the 'SPL', Played 7, won 3, drawn 3, lost 1. (averaging 1.7 points per game)

As I will be at the game, updates will not be done unless mods or others take care of it. updates to follow later ........

I wouldn't think it would matter too much if tynecastle or Ibrox are scheduled to be used that weekend. Games can easily be re-arranged for the sake of a cup final and i can't see either club having much of a problem with that due to the hire costs they'd receive. I'm just speculating of course. The players like David Guetta? Well that's something the new gaffer needs to sort anyway. Seamless transition or not.

If its against Aberdeen it will probably be at a neutral venue called Pittodrie.

If it's ICT and St Johnstone in the final, we could play it at the public pitches in Carrbridge.

You are far from alone in being surprised by Hughes's appointment. You are far from alone in being disappointed by the appointment and very many of us doubt whether Yogi has the experience or ability to maintain our current position far less improve on it and it may well be that time will prove you and many of the rest of us were right all along. However, that said, I fail to see why you, or anyone else, are not prepared to give the man a chance and can't for the life of me see what's to be gained by constantly voiced negativity so early in the new manager's tenure. He may fail and his record to date suggests he probably will but at least give him the opportunity.