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Anyone who says Hibs isn't a step up from ICT is kidding themselves. It may not be a massive step up but is a step up. To be honest, this is like going through a long and agonising break up with a girl who says "I need some time alone to think" and you're left waiting for her decision thinking it'll be fine she'll come back to you but then she calls you up to say she wants to end things. Then, the next day, you see her with a total walloper, probably called Bastian or another wanky sounding name like that, looking happier than she ever did with you. Crushed, you arrange to meet up with some fat mess you sha**ed on a drunken night out once ages ago in a futile attempt to forget about her but you realise you can't forget the good times you had together. Don't go Terry

Getting tired of the crowd attendance slant, the facts are, in comparison to Inverness the population differentials are roughly Edinburgh x 10 Glasgow x 12 Dundee x 3 Aberdeen x 4 if you include the population density surrounding these cities these figures further increases. You also have to take into account the disparity in the transport infrastructure Work it out, but by my reckoning we don't do that badly with our crowd numbers. Lets also not forget the fans who do turn up week in week out

Dont be surprised if the board go for another high profile candidate in Henrik Larsson with Foran as an Assistant. Larsson has done all his coaching badges hand has never hidden his ambition to return to Scotland (of course his eventual aim would be to replace Lennon at Celtic) ICT would get a guy with world class experience having been at Ajax , Celtic , Barcelona and Man Utd and also has retained his cotacts throughout Europe and would a name who would attract players to Inverness. His profile is also fits ICT he's a family guy, his wife is country horsey type, kids are grown up no school issues and given he is a very wealthy guy money would not be his main issue.

The worst thing about this whole scenario is the uncertainty. Not knowing what's going on is a nightmare. If Tel stays then id be over the moon. He has built a great team, great back room staff, great working relationship with the board and has a small but loyal band of fans backing him to the hilt. If Tel leaves then he has played a huge part in growing this club and has ensured that his name will be firmly imprinted on this clubs small but impressive history. Managers come and go so I look forward to the next boss coming in and building on the work that Tel has put down One way or another I just want this sorted sooner rather than later so we can concentrate on the football and get back to supporting the boys on the park

In all seriousness, what about Pat Fenlon. His stock was high before taking the Hibs job. From his experience in Ireland, he is used to gaining success on a limited budget that success including, in relative terms, success in Europe. I don't think his tenure at Hibs was all that bad. He inherited a team that had been underperforming for years with an ethos of enduring defeat and failure yet led them to successive Cup finals. and, although this season started off with the Malmo debacle there's no doubt that Hibs were making some progress and are a better side, even without the services of Leigh Griffiths, than they were last season or the season before.

Hello Gents, I'm just writing in to say that I hope big Tel stays with you guys, although it's looking unlikely unfortunately. Forgive me as I'm actually a Rangers fan, but since we've been 'missing' from the SPL the last wee while I've been cheering your team on due to my obvious connections with Mr Butcher. Anyway, I hope he stays, he's worked wonders for your club and they're playing some of the best footy in Scotland right now. I myself don't want him to go to the Hibees and I hope he stays up in Inverness. Good luck for the future and I'll have a dram with you when we're back up playing you in a season and a half's time hopefully. All the best.

I wouldn't take any of the current Hibs players. They are all rancid. If Butcher was to go I would expect he would make a beeline for the Meekings who is an utterly brilliant defender. Even if Butcher stayed I'm resigned to losing him in the near future he's that good.

I would never had worn red feckin shoes in those days

Well yes but I have a phottie of my own - closer up - taken 10 minutes before this one

A red, white and blue flag? I'm surprised someone didn't grab it off you and storm off in a rage. It could have offended someone.

I've stopped reading Hibs.net it was sending me slightly mad! Go to google and read Traits of a Narcissistic Personality - I have just bet £100 at 16/1 with William Hill that TB will stay at ICT.

I think they've been on twitter ha ha ha

We are happy to welcome anyone to the TCS but if you do come please leave the song book at home. Better still, consign it to history along with the old club that was so badly tainted by it and what it stood for. By the way, we are not just gents. Quite a few ladies as well.

Me plus 2 Waiting to see if I'm looking forward to it or not!

The giveaway is where it says "After a thorough and extensive recruitment process...."

Maybe tb has not heard these figures. ... its a sad reflection on the league in general. Not heard any news yet. Has he been seen today?

Not often I agree with Graham Spiers but his piece in todays Herald Newspaper contain some wise words of caution for Mr Butcher Hibs in the past decade has proven quite a graveyard for promising managers. In their different ways, just ask John Collins, John Hughes, Colin Calderwood or Pat Fenlon. In fact, six of the last eight Hibs managers have left under a cloud, either via the sack or some other rumpus. So the omens are not good for any promising figure who goes in there. Butcher is the clear favourite for the Hibs job. The question he has to ask himself is, does it make sense to go there? He may ultimately believe that, in coming up for five years at the helm of Caley Thistle, it is time for a change. He cannot stay at the Highland club forever. ICT's crowds are depressingly low, in spite of their recent success, and Butcher may feel he has given as good as he can at the club. If Butcher does leave for Hibs it will mark the end of one of the greatest manager/club acts in recent Scottish football history. Butcher and Caley Thistle have been tremendous to behold, a story of progress, colour and fine football achievement. At Easter Road, will he find the same? Hmmm

I CT has a higher percentage of the Citys population going to their games than Hibs do! If Hibs were to attract the same level of support, based on population as ICT does...theyd be getting about 30 000+ at their games

The potential for Hibs is exactly the same as for ICT, ie to finish as high as 2nd in the league and/or to win a cup. The only difference is that we are more likely to achieve one of those this season than Hibs are.

No disputing that Hibs are are a bigger team, but what potential is there? Will never win the League, and may win the odd cup. Given Rangers will undoubtedly come back to the top league, TB will have 18 months to achieve a cup win for Hibs. Something he is as likely, if not more likely to do with ICT, given the timescales he will have to work in. He wont have 18 months to win a cup as anyone can win a cup even with Rangers back in the top flight. You have to look at the old firm, two Edinburgh sides, maybe both Dundee sides but more UTD than the Dundee and Aberdeen as the big clubs in Scotland. Motherwell are not part of that they are middle of the road who have been doing great recently but they don't get above 10,000 a gate. We have to remember that however frustrating the crowd numbers are in Inverness we are still a young side. Even Ross County probably have a bigger core support than us because they have been around for a while to develop and lay foundations. As a club we have been around for just under 20 years and yes there were supporters of both clubs that jumped ship but it wasn't a lot in the scheme of things. Butcher is frustrated like the rest of us that we cant get more bums on seats but unlike the teams I have mentioned we wont get dramatic increases because of a period of success. Issues remain about price and facilities and Entertainment in Scottish Football but when the happier days are around these clubs can get back a certain number of fans because they choose not to go every week for a certain reason but they remain supporters and will attend when they need to. We don't have that, we have a core support of around 3,000 and maybe a few floaters who may turn up for the big games e.g. Derby and maybe promotion. As a club Caley Thistle will continue to grow and hopefully we will grow a larger fan base over the years and improve the facilities and maybe the stadium but that will take time. To get more fans the young need to be invested in which is what the club is doing. I became a supporter that way, i'm English and had never heard of the club until I moved to the north. I went to game with my dad and I got hooked but even though i cant go regularly any more i will still support the club and attend games when I can. These bigger clubs have been around for over 100 years we have not even reached a 5th of that time scale. It will be disappointing to see Butcher leave when we are in the middle of such a great period in our clubs history but if he does go without the first Europe adventure and first national trophy to be won he will have helped lay the foundations for that. Hibs are a bigger club and regardless of the old firm the challenge is to turn a major name in Scottish back into contention of doing something in the league and in cups. We shouldn't kid ourselves just because we have had one great season and in the midst of another that overall we should see Hibs as below us. Caley Thistle will hopefully grow but the club will remain long after Butcher.

Something which we are continually reminded of here in the North Stand:

Hibees telling me it's not only our manager their club is interested in. Hearing rumours Terry may not be first choice with all of the Hibs board.

Understandable, but Fenlon would have said exactly the same about Hibs. Whatever budget you have, you want more.

I have a lot of faith in our board at the moment. Kenny Cameron is doing a great job and the prospect of working at such a well-run, community orientated club would be a big pull for any potential manager.

Was reading up about Larsson's managerial career there, and apparently he took over a Swedish Division 2 team, and started well, before things kind of went stale in the end. Apparently he plays a very attacking and aggressive style of football in a 4-3-3 formation. I could certainly be persuaded over having him as manager.

Apparently they were celebrating this news in Edinburgh last night, with displays of fireworks.

Dozens of names mentioned, and not a single (realistic) option that excites me.

Apologies, I thought it said singing...........

You are joking................ aren't you?

The press were actually trying to release the story a few days ago but he gave them the slip by driving away from Abriachan at speed wearing a Burka.

" The directors of the Highland club are far from happy at the way in which they perceive this business to have been conducted, however, and they are believed to be prepared to dig their heels in when it comes to calculating compensation for the loss of the 54-year-old’s services. " Is this just another erroneous news item? Or not? Fact is that if he has an Agent then he could have been approached by his agent with information from a Hibernian "source" by phone from Edinburgh to Loch Ness? Thus, if he said he had never spoken to Hibs' Board then it would be true after all but in no way would that statement hinder his personal progress. This opportunity could be a disaster waiting to happen for him. I doubt if anything can be so arranged to make Hibs a big winner this season. But next... who knows? If he falls off the cliff then the fall will be hard. If he stays here at Inverness and leads the team to great success this season then he may well leave with his head held high and get a terrific contract with a much bigger club in which case the very best to him. To old Pimple this seems to be a no-brainer--just stay until the end of the season. However, maybe he feels that if anything were to happen to one or both of his assistants then maybe the wheels might fall off ICT's bandwagon--after all, there's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip... The problem may be that for him a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and Hibs have been a big club so maybe the stars are in his eyes about what he is capable of achieving in the future. Methinks that the presence of Maurice and Steve are essential to Terry's success and if either refuses to move then his future could be clouded if he does. If he has been above- board with ICT then all we can do is wish him well. If not--then, I hope we thrash the HIBEES good and proper.

Right time wrong club but I wish him all the best anyway I'd be up for a 400% pay rise, who wouldn't?

If the compensation is high enough can we get this man?

I didn't want Butcher here in the first place as I thought he wasn't up to the job , the slight blip of relegation apart I think he's done a great job and proved me wrong big time . All the best Terry if you leave .

Think this thread is bang out of order until concrete proof of Butcher's departure is confirmed. Also the BBC need to enlighten us as to where they 'learned' of his agreement to join Hibs. Looks to me like somebody trying to stir it with the Highland upstarts.

Your spelling and grammar may be ***** but I'm sure you'd still be a better journo than these BBC numpties.

apart from this .... http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Butcher-denies-link-to-Hibs-04112013.htm Our chairman says no approach. I know and trust our chairman so dont expect him to lie (quite apart from the refreshing fact that he doesnt have a good poker face for lies anyway!) ICT have issued a statement to the same effect and condemned the BBC story out of hand in what is quite strong language where you normally have to be quite 'diplomatic'. Courier reporting Butcher has not spoken to Hibs and denies "terms agreed". story in tomorrow's paper STV reporting that ICT will refuse permission Hibs saying nothing There are a few more twists and turns to come I am sure but ultimately I can see one of three scenarios happening .... Butcher will stay on a nice extended contract with extra cash for him, Malpas and Marsella. Interest from another club will always restart stalled salary negotiations !!! Kenny - if this happens, be careful not to use the same invisible ink pen that Steve Paterson and Duncan Shearer used to sign their bumper contracts a few years ago .... and dont let any of them near Tam Cowan. Butcher will go to Hibs and we will speculate/argue and get very vocal and nasty about how terms could be agreed before permission was given? who lied? Was this a case of shady agents or representatives agreeing terms so the principles could have plausible deniability? TB will become a pariah despite all the excellent work he has done at ICT. The Hibs interest (and media gullibility) is being used as a 'shop window' for other positions, perhaps Middlesborough? I would be comfortable with #1. I would wish him all the best if #3 happened, but #2 which seems most likely would be very hard to take. He's worked wonders up here, and should be applauded for all he has done ...... but much like Pele making a big deal over turning own Dundee Utd, signing a new ICT contract and ending up at Aberdeen a week later, this would leave a very bad taste in the mouth !!!