Leaderboard

So the ref's like... The jambo's are all... And we're like... Then up steps Nick Ross...

We knew we were lucky from the start to even be in the semi-final, so the few fans that turned up were very grateful. It wasn't anywhere near Ross County's number for the Scottish Cup final. That may have been because that was the Scottish Cup final in sunnier climes, but we all really knew it was because ICT is really a made-up team with tens of thousands of people ready to turn their back on the club and support a real team, like Ross County. And all credit to the Staggies for being so magnanimous in letting them. From the off, Hearts looked the better side. Their style was very counter-attacking, with some great defensive play. At one stage, Hearts were drawing the Inverness (although not all Inverness as this is a merged team) attack so well, the Hearts' keeper was deeply involved, unlike Brill. So, player-wise, Inverness (if we can really call that a team) were losing 10-11 in players. Even a toe-poke from Tansey couldn't calm our nerves. Warren was sent off very contentiously. Why oh why, the supporters (the ones left after the merger turned most of them away) was Warren sent off when two players blocked off a certain goal? It had to be two red cards but no! Only Warren went. All the fans around me were saying they only wanted to win fairly, not with this referee favouring us. At least, they said, Ross County won their semi-final fair and square. To no-one's surprise, Hearts scored with a brilliant goal. Hammill, amazingly, managed to bounce it off a couple of players. I couldn't stop myself from applauding. Hamill scored again from a free-kick. Well, that's what happens when we try to kick the better team off the park. I applauded again. Meekings then attempted to break the leg of a Hearts player and was rightfully sent off. He was heard whispering under his breath that it was a fair enough decision. I think he also made a swing for the referee but a Hearts player shouted 'Remember Ross County' and Josh was immediately ashamed. Time was up but the referee, as usual, gave Inverness (I won't call them Caledonian Thistle to stop any real fans being offended) the benefit of the doubt, allowing what seemed like hours of injury time. Ross then scrambled in what looked like a foul on the goalkeeper. And he was offside too. It then went to penalties. The most unfair way of winning. Despite Celtic being a better team, Ross County didn't need penalties in their semi-final. So, all-in-all, a win. But in the most unsatisfactory way possible. But then, it is only the League Cup, so it's not like we made it to the Scottish Cup final, unlike our gallant neighbours Ross County. It was probably because of the merger.

This whole media perception thing really amazes me. As someone with a wee insight into how they work their perceptions are coloured by a hankering after the past, a desire to not have to assimilate new people and a central belt attitude that sees them as the centre of the universe. When something else (like us) muscles in, we get regarded as a distracting amusement (supercaleygo etc.) then progress to irritation (see Hugh Keevins article in the Daily Record about how and why he wanted a Hearts win) Eventually it will settle to grudging acceptance. These guys are, by and large, simply paid versions of the damp grumpy old men who clump together in stands up and down the country remembering the misty eyed "good old days" and waiting for God. they are real "football people" you know? Fans, though, are a much broader church with every perception from a rival's utter derision to being other people's first look for a result because they were up here on holiday or saw the 9 man victory on the telly. That's why the two perceptions don't match up, and players rarely hear anything but the media line when it comes to a (supposedly) neutral viewpoint. Fans? they only ever get adulation or hatred, nothing in between at games so it's not surprising that someone like Dean calls it the way he has. For the record, people do generally like us. Just not the dinosaurs* *it's ok that's not you Chalky or you Graham

At the 90 minutes, when the board went up for 5 minutes extra time, I left my seat to go to the disabled section at the front, behind the goals, to assist our fans there to exit the stadium at full time. I was there, chatting to them and watching the game when Nick scored!!!! Couldn't have been closer to the action if I tried!!! Maybe my best decision all day up till then. I stayed there for the rest of the game, amongst the melee, and have never been hugged and danced so much in umpteen years of following Caley and ICT. Wonderful,unforgettable. ICT all stars. Incidentally I never leave before full time, ever. In the North Stand I usually leave my seat when the board for extra time goes up, go to the wall behind the goals till full time and then applaud the players off the field no matter the score. Too many folk who leave when the going may be tough miss last minute goals - Craig Dargo did that quite a few times for example.

I've said it before and a couple of times yesterday it was proven correct with a weak cross and shot, but Nick does need a bit more muscle. However, and it's a big however, he is now legendary and his contribution when he came on yesterday was immeasurable, his finest 40 minutes in an ICT shirt. Not only did he score the goal through tenacity that kept us in the game, but his control and link play with Billy was tremendous giving us that vital bit of composure required and the ability to hold play up for a few seconds when down to nine men. He was instrumental in gaining us valuable time and even though two men short, we still matched Hearts for the whole of extra time. His balls must be huge. He stood up to hit wallop that penalty home, considering his last one was a tad meek, but boy did he give it some, and some more. I could not be happier for the guy and he thoroughly deserves his moment. Onwards and upwards Nick Ross.

How ironic it is that they played the game on wednesday night to allow Stevenson to play to add more experience when it counts and he was the one that failed to keep the ball in the corner when they had that corner

Can't be ersed tbh...

Gotta feel sorry for Capital Caley tho... He missed Nick's goal and ALL of the penalties... Not because he left early but because he broke his specs in the melee after Tansey's strike!

Maybe he was referring to dougal, George and theeagle?

I think he's more than likely referring to the way we've been treated by the SFA/SPFL with regards to the semi final arrangements. The powers that be do not see us an asset to the Scottish game IMO and perhaps the players get this opinion too. If so - good. We will use that to our advantage.

....like the look of 3350,000!!!

Maybe something got lost in translation and what he actually said was "There's nobody like us"

The Dougal fishing begins. It didn't take long.

Was speaking to Dean on Sunday night. The players are certainly agrieved re the Aberdeen handshake episode. The players were also raging about the so called neutral venue, early ko injustice on Sunday.

I like Ryan Stevenson high fiving the Hearts fan before he goes to take a corner

Yeah, I've been thinking about this... What we could do if we have too many games close together, to stop the players being burnt out and ensure we can still rotate the starting 11 as required, is just field 9 men in some games. Nae bother tae us!

Just basking in the feeling - ain't much else that I can say - just wish that I really could bottle that feeling when Drapers penalty hit the net. And I now think I can appreciate mood swings a lot better too !!

Very impressed with the way Nick Ross stays on his feet there, even with 3 players trying to foul him. Every Hearts player on the pitch would have gone down claiming for a penalty and a yellow card.

Great to see a local boy who has come through our youth programme score the winner in such an important game. I hope he has a good future in the game. Ross, Polworth, Christie and in previous years Munro & Fraser ....... not a bad return for so little investment.

I imagine they'll be grateful.

Who is all going then? Me with a few other mad folk on a minibus for starters!

Are there any supporters buses or fans looking for a venue to have some refreshments before travelling to the game, We are a social club 15 minutes from Celtic Park and can open early to accommodate travelling fans. We can also boost good prices and can lay on pies if required. You have access to a large screen TV also a up to date jukebox, pool table and also free wifi If anyone or supporter buses are interested please email me at [email protected] and I can also let you know prices for drinks.

Calling Dougal - Caley winning their first major cup final at Paradise - IHE celebrating in the Jungle - Is that feckin destiny or wot ?

I think that's a great idea Thomas , plenty of time to get something organised for the biggest day in the clubs history .

I may have to go back on the Girls Mini bus as I have had so many massage requests.

Good to see an honest and impartial match review!

Then it's back to the pub... :ictscarf: That's all I have to say about that.

It may backfire and cost both clubs but, given the 60,000 capacity, I would be happy for the tickets to be really keenly priced at £15 in an effort to encourage more fair weather fans along and fill the empty seats with neutrals.

Was at the game today and it was a really good performance from the U20 team. Final score was 3-0 to ICT, Adam Evans getting 2 goals today and Ryan Christie getting one also. For me today I thought Danny Williams was man of the match. He played centre mid today but put in a tremendous shift and based on that performance it was really unfortunate that he never played last Sunday. Carl Tremarco played a part in the game today and he done good today despite playing only a couple days after the semi final but he was good none the less. What we are showing is that we actually have great depth within our squad. The most pleasing aspect for me today was the counter attacks and I thought we done really well catching Killie out with that. Killie had Ismael Bouzid in their defence who was really good but our front line was much better. I watched Russell Latapy coaching the U20 team before the game and he was coaching the team with specifically counter attacks and it was a breath of fresh air to watch after seeing how well it worked out during the game - Russell Latapy going to be a great appointment for us. I have to mention Stephen Rennie aswell, I think he is only 15/16 but he came on around the last 10 minutes and got the assist for Adam Evans, looks like one for the future. The future is definitely bright!

Perhaps they feel it fitting that the final should be played at a Premier League ground.

Don't you consider me to be an official source? On SPFL site.

Official ICTFC ‏@ICTFC 1h #ICTFC U-20's team to face @OfficialKillie: Esson Pepper Tremarco Brown Gorman Sutherland Williams Polworth Evans Christie Greenhalgh

Train times are great for a couple of hours enjoying the delights of Stranraer. We just need to find them first.

I've actually found a lot of other supporters quite like us. Including Aberdonians. Maybe not on match day but they still see us as a wee team. A bit of the battling underdog. David amongst the Goliaths. Being ICT doesn't seem to raise a frown (well, except for the Hearts fan in the next office). More of a delight it's not a serious rival. Just a wee club, doing their best.

Wow I had a look at hmfckickback there are some amount of roasters on there Nothing but orcs that can't afford the bus fare to Glasgow I feel sorry for all the other sets of fans from the championship next season who have to endure both the full fat and diet orcs Dougal

Just think about what it will be like next seasonwith the European fixtures taking up midweeks from July - April/May

There was the stuff about the lack of handshakes when we beat them last time.

Oh come on now Kiri ! ........... buses ?? .......be realistic laddie ............... surely you mean luxury cruise liners.

Because County wouldn't have been able to sign any new players until January.

One of favourite bits is in injury time when the joyous Hearts fans are twirling their scarves.

Huge irony that this thread extended to 5 pages! What were we worried about! The quickly re-arranged fixture to accommodate him likely back-fired with the Hearts boys unable to muster much in extra-time! Stevenson didn't even get a start! And then he makes a **** of himself by kicking the ball away in celebration before high-fiving the fans! Sweet justice for an over-rated buffoon!

If I'm honest I tend to think Nick is a bit lightweight and rarely influences any game that I've seen...HOWEVER yesterday he was a bit special, and I would say (to murder a famous phrase from Churchill) 'if he were to play for a 1000hours, fans would still say, this was his finest hour'

The rules have changed from last season on cards/suspensions. A straight red card in the league cup is an instant 2 match suspension. First suspension is to be served in the clubs next match, irrespective of which competition (Stranraer game in this instance). And the second suspension is to be served in the league cup itself. Reports that Josh is already on a yellow from a previous League Cup match are inaccurate (he has one in the Scottish Cup), so if the appeal (which will go ahead) is successful and the red card is rescinded or downgraded to a yellow then he will be available for the final. If not, then he misses it. Having spent a large part of the day pouring over the rule book and looking at video, I am of the personal opinion that there's nothing in the challenge to constitute Serious Foul Play or Violent Conduct....both of which are clearly defined as including excessive force or brutality. At worst, what he did would fall within the confines of "Committing a technical foul designed to impede a promising attack" and FIFA Guidelines clearly state that is a yellow card offence unless it denies a goal or clear goal scoring opportunity....which it couldn't have since it was over 70 yards from our goal and we had 4 players between there and the incident. If the SFA follow the rulebook and associated guidelines, then I fail to see how they can uphold the red card....but again, that is just my personal opinion. Warren was already on a yellow card from the D.Utd match, so a single yellow saw him suspended for the final. Even if the club were to try and appeal the yellows (and it is possible in certain circumstances) then it's very unlikely they would get both rescinded so the second yellow (in hindsight and given the outcome of the game) means little.

I'll be there with my eldest.

In terms of one single moment, Nicky Ross's finish is easily the best moment I've had supporting ICT. Given Jamie Hamill's antics at 2-1 and also on the way up to his penalty Brill saving his effort was nothing short of beautiful.

That touch by Nick Ross by the way...

Brilliant, simply brilliant. Only the final between us and our first major tournament trophy. And am I pleased that I wasn't the only one with tears in my eyes and a lump in the throat immediately afterwards! Roll on 16th March.

GET IT ROUND YA! #seething?