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With Russell's time drawing to a close, what will you most remember him by? The goal in the cup versus Dundee United? His role in both our First Division promotions? His "Never Say Die" attitude? A player underrated by many a fan, but his commitment to the ICT cause can never be faulted. A player who never did anything spectacular, just did what it said on the tin, week in week out and was instrumental in ICT's recent success'. Personally, I believe Butcher has made the worst decision in his managership so far in letting Russell go as Duff and Ross are in no way, shape, or form in the same league as Duncan and finding players of his ability in the modern market is one hell of a task. So good luck to him at his new club, and I hope he proves Butcher wrong. Scottish football needs more men like Russell Duncan.

This is a poor decision IMO. Russel Duncan = hard work, commitment, reliability and experience. He's being thrown on the scrapheap at 30 after 10 years outstanding service. It's a disgrace. This isn't just an abomination on sentimental grounds, it makes no footballing sense. We're replacing a rock with an unknown quantitiy. It sends out the message that the club is not a meritocracy and has no respect for the aforementioned qualities. We would rather give a short-term loan contract to an unknown english championship rookie than retain a reliable, experienced stalwart who loves the club and the fans. It's a joke.

Just to update you ........................ my wife won! (I put an entry in for her). We had a fantastic weekend in Parma with the winners of the seperate Orion competition. The hospitality was superb and we were very well treated, wined and dined by our hosts from Erea and Orion. To cap it all - hospitality at the Parma Inter match - both sides needing three points, Inter to sustain their League challenge and Parma for survival. A full house, a tremendous atmosphere and a cracking game of football - 2-0 to Parma. (Didn't mind missing the Caley Hearts match for it at all). We also got to see the new away strip (I believe publicity about the trip may be left until the strip is released) at the Erea factory. I'm afraid I can't say what it's like - but I can tell you I think it's our best one yet. There's some talk of repeating it next year - and if they do, it is definitely worth an entry. Full marks to Caley Thistle, Erea, Orion and Flybe.

Snogging him at Roy's testimonial dooo, Russell also said it was his best moment. No tongues though, just a smackeroony. Seriously, ICT Legendary status awaits Russell, I'm only sorry you can't gain that while still playing for the famous ICT. Fabby goal at Tynecastle, a 30 yard daisy cutter, a curler at Brechin into the top corner, and finding out he loves the soaps. Russell, the fans love you, and you can leave with your head held high, mucho appreciation

There have been very few players in the short history of Caley Thistle that are as influential and as prominent in the team as Russell Duncan. There is no doubt in my mind that the team are far superior on the field when he is present. I have no doubt about that. Sadly though, Butcher doesn't seem to see things that way. Ever since he came in, he has seemed obsessed with not playing him and signing other similar players to give him a reason not to do so. First there was Brian Kerr, then there was Stratford, there was Stuart Duff, then Duncan got back in when none of these showed to be up to the same standard (and surprise surprise about the same time after he retained his place, ICT started their meteoric rise for the title). Even now, it can be seen that Butcher would rather play Nick Ross and Lee Cox in the centre of field instead of Duncan. Now as promising and up-and-coming that these two players are, both combined don't bring the same bite, presence, experience and hunger to that area that Duncan brings. Any successful team have a player like that in the central midfield area and Duncan brings that to ICT. And this isn't the first time players seem to have disappeared under Butcher. McBain is another example. I've heard on the grapevine that he and Butcher didn't speak for months! Today somebody posts (and obviously it cannot yet be said how reliable that is) that Duncan has been told he can leave. Sadly, that wouldn't surprise me and if this is true then it would be a grave mistake on the part of Terry Butcher. It's time for him to get regain his rightful place in the ICT starting eleven because his loss would be another club's gain.

Good grief, that was ninety minutes of my life I'll never have back. It was a woeful game which Aberdeen won by being slightly less abysmal than us. With the sunshine, the sparse support, the lack of atmosphere and the apathy on the pitch that could easily have been mistaken for a pre season match. We only really managed two clear cut chances - Rooney had a smashing effort wide from an acute angle early in the second period, then Sutherland drew a fantastic save from Langfield later on. But Aberdeen spurned numerous opportunities, particularly a glaring one-on-one miss by Michael Paton. As far as I could tell, blame for the goal rested mostly on Rossco's shoulders - he got far too tight to Pawlett who turned him easily and beat Esson. Tactically we were very poor - MacDonald didn't seem to know if he was playing in a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1; Ross and Cox were overrun in central midfield, especially as Maguire came deeper in the second half. That game was tailor-made for Russell Duncan - who came to the away fans at the end and handed his soggy shirt to my mum, which was a nice gesture. Worth noting that Odhiambo made us look a lot more dangerous when he came on - I wouldn't be surprised if he starts against Celtic.

Pritty much every goal he ever scored for us cause most of them were spectacular. Met him once years ago when he helped take a group i was with on tour round the ground. Really nice, down to earth and genuine guy. The sort of guy you dont usually get in football. Good luck Russell.

I don't care if a players has been here 10 years or 10 minutes. If he is good he should be playing, it's as simple as that. Butcher has come out about how "all the players are playing for the future". I don't believe that. I reckon he has a good idea who he wants rid of and it won't make a difference how or even if they play. I believe Duncan falls into this category. He seems to have wanted rid of him since the moment he arrived. Again, I don't care about what a player has been like previously. I care about the team now, and where it's going, and if Butcher's serious about building his own team and making it the best it can be, then he ain't going to find a better play than Duncan to play a part in. If he thinks that a better team next season will include Kevin McCann and not Russell Duncan, then next season will be his last. Getting rid of Duncan, could potentially be one of the biggest mistake Butcher could make.

Not saying that I like to see such things happen, it's never pleasant when someone who has been a good servant to the club is moved on, but we probably have the tightest budget in the league and can't afford to keep players just because they are nice guys or have long service, they need to be contributing. It's part and partial of Butcher building his own squad. Players may suite the way we have played now or in the past, but the Manager might have a different view of the future, one where these players don't fit or are not required. As fans we can sometimes find that hard to swallow, but that's life when it comes to football.

This must be the shortest matchday thread ever!! Can I just take this opportunity to express my delight that Ross County will now survive in the First Division this season after their stoppage time winner at Falkirk (short of an inconceivable 11 goal defeat by Cowdenbeath next Saturday)? A Highland team in the SPL and one in the First Division is a major asset to the game in this area. (I am prepared to accept a mixed response to this sentiment on this forum! :biggrin:)

cairngorm you seem to be very bitter for someone who's not affected by this. Perhaps you should stop and engage your brain before rambling on. First thing is the youth set up at ICT is run as its own entity and is funded by donation and Flybe sponsorship. It is not funded by the club, as such, and would not be affected by any cancelled game as you seem to imply. Second point is the ferry. It is extremely difficult to find space at very short notice for a coach and its passengers. I'd go so far as to say it would be unlikely that space was available on any of the ferries.

Sheez, Renegade, give Tel a break! You've been forecasting his doom ever since he's joined, despite the incredible success he's had. He's got the vast majority of decisions right, hence why he amazingly got ICT promoted with a load of youths and almost got us into the top six, with such a low budget and inexperienced players. And he's done that by going with his players. I wish too that Russell had got another year but I'm not going to turn against Butcher for making a decision he thinks is right. Doesn't stop me wishing Duncan all the best though. Caley Mad In Berks: I think McBain and Golabek's time had come. I'm sure, rather than warming the bench, these post-35 players would prefer a last day on the pitch. Tokely's career might be extended by moving to centre-back but possibly both of them have another couple of seasons. It'll be sad but so was Christie or Stewart leaving. It's not fair to either ICT or the players to have them play past their best. I don't think Duncan had reached that point however. Nevertheless, onwards and upwards...

As much as I agree with it being a great loss Russell leaving, and yeah maybe him and butcher don't see eye to eye. However we have lost players before either sold or free transfers who have been key players and we have filled the void quickly and moved on. He hasn't played much this season prob due to personality clash and that's sad and annoying, but to say that it's the worst decision by butcher and that it could be the beginning of the end if his time as ICT manager is quite frankly ridiculous. IMO he has never been a top player but a good one. I think people are overreacting if he's not gonna play we can't keep him- simple as that. He isnt the player that's going to make the difference in every game cos as you all know he has played some shockers ! It's just frustrating to hear overreaction to one player who has been a good servant to the club but in no way holds it together. We will sign a replacement and move on. - simples .

im absolutely gutted that russell is leaving and i also feel that we are always better when he is in the team. But i'm going to go with terry on this one. i remember around about this time two years ago when the list of players being released/re-signed was announced and vigurs had been told he would be released the uproar it created on this forum. that seems to have worked out just fine..

I don't think people would be that stupid. You on the other hand....... Have you ever been to a big , high pressure local derby ? No , didn't think so .

Shows how bad things have come in football today when a second division championship encounter from 12 years ago is the talking point of this day.