Leaderboard

Congratulations to Ryan! He's just come on as a 72 minute sub for Scotland U21s in Luxembourg!

Disappointing choice. Not enough seethe factor for my liking. Missing Deek already.

Just a wee thread to try and gauge if there's sufficient demand for running a coach from Glasgow (also picking up at Stirling and Perth) to the Highland Derby on 5th October. If the coach can be filled (or as near as) then there's an offer to subsidise half the cost. This could also be opened up to County fans, but first refusal goes to Caley Thistle fans. If there's not enough to justify a Coach, then a Plan B exists...but we'll only look at that if necessary as it would be nice to get a full coach up the road if possible.

Here's a wee report for you. Afraid there's not much to enthuse over from an Inverness point of view, but this was a very good Hearts side. Trounced An impressive Hearts side trounced a youthful Inverness eleven in this Development League game. El Hassnaoui opened the scoring for Hearts early in the game with a thirty yard free kick. Almost number two five minutes later as a wicked deflection saw Esson stranded but the ball rebounded off the crossbar and the follow up shot was fired low across the face of the goal. It was clear to see that the youth side were trying to employ the same ball retention as the first X1 and most balls out of defence went through the only experienced outfielder for Inverness, Danny Devine. However, like the first team, this style will take a bit of time to materialise and too often Inverness gave the ball away as the Heart's midfield took control. A melee in the Inverness box almost resulted in Hearts doubling their advantage but the ball was hacked away for a corner as Inverness were starting to get pinned down Just after the half hour and Buchanan makes it 0-2 for Hearts. Inverness once more tamely lost possession in the centre of the pitch. Hearts burst forward on the left and a ball laid back across the box was hit first time from around fifteen yards high past Esson for a cracking goal. Inverness responded with a massive kick from Esson causing problems in the Hearts defence before Ferguson (I think) was blocked, the ball going for a corner. Number three came along before the break and El Hassnaoui had a simple tap in after Inverness never learned from their harsh lesson of giving the ball away. Another run down the left and a ball into the big number 10 who finished with ease. 3-0 down at the break and Inverness struck after four minutes when Ferguson finished off a great team move from back to front by rifling the ball into the net from 12 yards for a superb goal. Danny Devine was unfortunate with a 25 yard free kick a few minutes later which bounced back off the foot of the post. However, it was Hearts who were dominating the game and a diving header was blocked at point blank range by Esson, touching the ball onto the post and away to safety. Hearts were well in the driving seat and a great run down the left was halted at the expense of another corner. El Hassnaoui and Robinson combined well and the latter fired his effort across Esson when he should have done better. Esson saved again as he tipped a fierce shot from Scott over the bar and the Hearts procession continued with Esson saving a weak shot when the Jambo's striker should have done better. A rare foray forward from Inverness saw the Hearts keeper having to dive out to smother a dangerous cut-back inside the six yard box but still, it was Hearts that looked likeliest to add to their total. Esson to the rescue once more as he tipped a great shot onto the bar and over for a corner as the one way traffic continued, and soon he was in action again to block with his feet as the Hearts winger broke into the box. The Esson show continued right to the end as he dived to save another effort from distance, the ball almost squirming over the line but Ryan was alert enough to gather the ball calmly. No more scoring as the game ended with Inverness on the back foot and Hearts running out deserved winners. Positives I hear you say! Well, Esson will be a great replacement for Brill should he get injured and Ferguson took his goal well at the end of a slick move. Apart from that, not too much to have the first eleven quaking in their predators. Danny Devine was well involved and seemed to come through the game in one piece. Hearts looked to be a much stronger side than Inverness and their experienced players ran the show as they deservedly won the game. Ryan Esson was the big highlight for Inverness keeping the score in single figures with a string of excellent saves. Oh, nearly forgot, is it Blackett that's the doppelgänger for Aaron Doran? ICT X1: Esson, Maclennan, Howarth, Baptie, Brown, Horner, Wilson, Devine, Ferguson, Blackett, Sutherland Subs: Hoban, Hull, MacArthur, Macrae HMFC XI: Brown, Smith, Eckersley, Bauben, Mckay, McKirdy, Scott, Robinson, Buchanan, El Hassnaoui, Beith Subs: Mason, Flanagan, Smith, Roy, Page

Hull comes on to replace Horner. McArthur replaces Blackett Macrae comes on to replace Wilson. Calum Ferguson scored for us and final score was 3-1 to hearts

There's your seethe factor right there, Mantis. Dodds is a jug-eared walloper.

Big G Believe it or not think we are in agreement The thread "pay to get in or watch in pub for free" was not my statement The point being the less ICTFC are on the TV for our home games the better it is for the club because we get smaller crowds at games which are on TV which drops the match day revenue and we get no extra TV money unless it is a cup game Best for the club is 3pm sat ko for all games and derby games not on TV which will ensure bigger crowds through the gate Do I believe that will happen - not a chance Do I think it would be fair to other teams in the league- no Would it be good for ICTFC - absolutely

Poles apart, Soft rock, Gibraltar 0 Poland 7 so our group might be down to goal difference, may be important we kept Germany to a 1 goal win, as others will lose a few to them

No great surprise he was unused, a bit like the best left back in the land not getting into the senior squad, Central Belt bias.