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Yogi has taken a lot of undue flack this season I reckon. For a start I don't think any club in the league (outwith Celtic maybe, but even they miss Van Djyk) would cope losing 3 of their key players. Even our first choice replacement for Mckay (Ofere) left. The void left by Shinnie and Watkins has been vast. Then not having the club captain, the most experienced defender and leader (Warren), needing a new goalie, as well as having near 10 players or more out for half the season. Are people mad?! Where on earth do they expect the resources to come to sort that? Even when we signed players they just got injured. Hughes has had a hand tied behind his back all season and it's to his credit we're safe and just missed top 6. We go again.

Well done to the young kids with the banner "There's only one David Raven". He came over to them at half time and they took some selfies. Gentleman. Get him signed up NOW - we need him

Where now? I wondered where this thread might go and it's been really interesting reading all the suggestions from sports scientist to possibly spending a bit more like st j because of the other half coming back up to the top league It's also interesting looking at individuals viewpoints about survival being our main objective or thinking we should be more ambitious and aim for higher than that. I guess that's the great thing about football and our love for ICT that we all have different ideas, views etc and it's what makes the emotional roller coaster of following your local team so incredibly fulfilling but at other times so exasperating and frustrating. There are many types of fan, some who go to all the games, some occasional and some rarely, there are fans who can't get to games at all for various reasons but we all have a common bond and I for one think we are incredibly lucky to have the team we have. I'll be there tomorrow night in my usual seat in the north stand with my son. We will have a beer before the game and win lose or draw even if it's not the best game and a bit of disappointment ensues for a few mins after the game we will still have a laugh and a joke after and enjoy our night at TCS There has been incredible games Hearts semi Celtic semi Raith Rovers and supercaley etc and incredible disappointment Think Falkirk . We only have 3 games left this season and then it's time for a wee break and then it will be where now? Is it the dreaded shopping with the Mrs on a Saturday or doing the garden etc through the summer. Euro championships etc don't come close to a Saturday/Sunday/ Friday / Wednesday watching our own team in sun rain hail etc 3rd 2nd 1st or premier Where now will be watching and supporting our team and as long as they put in the effort and try their hardest I just can't imagine anything else comes close to being in the crowd (moaning or not as the case may be) on a match day Let's all enjoy our team and live for the moment it doesn't get any better

Pretty humiliating that. I know the management team are the most qualified to make these calls, but I just feel it is so blatantly obvious that we need to get the spine of Warren and Meekings back together. I'm not as critical of Devine as some people, I feel he has a part to play in the squad, but as pretty much every fan seems to think, a back 4 of Raven-Meekings-Warren-Tremarco would provide more balance and a solid base. The substitution of Roberts was also bizarre, he was still looking pretty energetic. No injury crisis to hide behind tonight. Cannot wait for this season to end.

Humiliating. I hope there's a realisation with everyone that tonight's result might well have cost us at least one decent wage for next season. Here we are crying out for players like Raven to be signed and an unacceptable result could well have nailed that possibility. It's ironic that Raven's absence from the optimal back four might have cost him any chance of a contract next season. Meekings and Warren central defense now please.

I thought Roberts was man of the match tonight! Hope he signs soon.

If so we can then approach MacKinnon of Raith?

....and the Invernessians, The Dundonians, the Aberdonians, the Hebrideans, the good people of Moray, Caithness and Sutherland, Argyll and Bute, Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Lanarkshire, The Lothians, Ayreshire, Banffshire to name but a few.......a record number of constituency votes, a record share of the constituency vote and a record number of constituency seats....

An overwhelming victory for the SNP as you say but in saying that the SNP are on the way down you are being just a tad optimistic from your point of view and comparing apples with pith covered citrus fruit. The SNP's share of the constituency vote was at a record high even up from their astonishing and unprecedented triumph of 2011 and they won even more constituencies than then.. What made the difference is that, given the widespread anticipation of a resounding victory a larger number of supporters 'lent' their list votes to other parties most notably the Greens. Personally, I don't think that minority government is a bad thing at all. The near majority is such that the SNP will not enter into coalition but will get by comfortably enough with a loose confidence and supply arrangement with the Greens and/or Lib Dems. The real story of the night is that the Conservatives are once more a significant factor in Scottish politics since Thatcherism virtually wiped them out almost forty years ago. While their policies and political philosophy are anathema to me I don't actually think that's such a bad thing for democracy. It's clear that the losers are Scottish Labour who, unless they find some sort of focus and direction post referendum are at serious risk of a period in the wilderness perhaps as long as that the Tories have just wandered out of. Finally, I am almost disproportionately pleased that UKIP and their vile racist philosophy remain an utter irrelevance and unrepresented. Well done to the voters of the Highlands for shunning David Cockburn.

Well, how disappointing was that after our last two games? Yes, we had plenty possession, but did we look threatening? Not at all, until we were 3 down, when at last we showed some urgency. Then Hughes takes off our best player by far . Why?? Was he injured? Not that I saw! Really liked Roberts tonight. Hope we can hang on to him. Of the 3 ex ICT players in the Utd side, I think only Ofere looked the part on tonight's performance. But I doubt we'll see him back at the dump playing for us. As Hiro said in earlier post, I have always thought our defence looks most solid with Meekings and Warren together as centre backs. For heavens sake get Raven back in at right back and keep Devine for emergencies. Think we'll have to win both of our last two matches to have any chance of 7th now.. I won't be rushing to the bookies to check out the odds!

Could Yogi not have warned us in advance that he was planning to tell the players to treat it like a preseason friendly? I wouldn't have wasted my evening if I'd realised.

Poor. I thought we were very one paced throughout, had an end of season feel to it which is odd considering we have places and thus prize money to play for. Taking Ryan Williams off the bench was bizarre, has barely been seen since he signed and ran around like a headless chicken in the opposite direction to the ball. Odd signing altogether. The sooner we get Josh back in the centre beside Gary the better. Josh can do a job at right back but he is very limited going forward, there were at least 4-5 occasions where he hit the ball out of play when crossing. Devine also gets caught out of position a little too often, if you watch it back you'll see him chase the ball into midfield leaving a gap behind him. All in all a very disappointing night, I think 7th is out of reach which may cost us a player for next season.

Well that was embarrassing. defence fell apart again and our attacker played winger all night. Honestly Hughes hasn't a clue with his tactics and that was another showing of how bad a team we have become in the space of under a year. Every home game there is a lack of atmosphere? hardly any motivation for our players.

And yet at the same time, underwhelming! I'd liken it to Celtic winning the league this season. It was always going to be the outcome, but the didn't do it with any flair, and the margin of victory was smaller than before, despite the unprecedented weakness of their opponents. Indeed, their traditional main adversaries are a shadow of what they were back in 2011! Tactically the team is nothing special and has few ideas these days, with the only game plan being to get the ball to the star striker. They benefit of course from having more season ticket holders than any other team, these supporters being the most vocal and devoted (whilst also being considered somewhat paranoid). Recent forays outside of Scotland generate much excitement and noise, but ultimately bring little success and they're only really there to make up the numbers. Always like to think of themselves as a bit rebellious, without realising that these days they are well and truly the establishment.

Free agent, Tony Reguero has signed a 3-month contract at Finnish club RoPS. Both their regular 'keepers are apparently injured, hence the short term nature of the deal. RoPS were runners-up in the Finnish league last season and so are in the Europa League qualifying rounds. Good luck Tony!

I will support you on that one Roughi.

What a refreshing change from the posts of the last few weeks blaming just about everybody bar the 'supporters' put me off posting altogether!! Where to next ?----- well how about top four place next season ? Not impossible, surely there cannot be another season of injuries and bad luck like this season. Should the core of favourites stay together showing the same appetite for advancement as shown against D. U. coupled with the wider experience of the John Hughes style of play, which when executed properly as it was on several occasions this season tore other sides apart. As it was, it was good enough to create goal scoring chances during each game, which is the aim of that style of play, WE could have and should have taken those opportunities which would have had us win many that we drew or lost. Brought in players are still in the learning process of the style, some will not grasp it and haven't done so but those are the ones that were brought in with a wing and a prayer to stand in for the injured in the hope that they would make the grade, unfortunately it hasn't worked out for them. they will be replaced by the big man in good time. It matters not if we have a glut of mid fielders if they can score goals Tansey, Polly and Vigurs fit in exactly as scorers. You don't always need Strikers as such though they are so very useful opportunists if you get really good ones and who are really goal hungry---hard to find. So that is where I want to see us go next Footnote, Hedgie----------- get well soon, I'm sure that is a chorus from all of us here at CT on line.com.---------enjoy your football

As the Title says. Where now? Last year was undoubtedly the most successful in our history , to win the Scottish cup, finish 3rd in the league and play in Europe against Astra Giurgiu who are currently winning the Romanian league above Steau and Dinamo Bucharest is what dreams are made of. I think we will be safe this year but who knows what lies ahead. I personally am not bothered about County finishing above us as it's such a rare thing. For many years they weren't even in the same league as us and any Derby was pre season or a cup game Mid table for a club like ours is an achievement to be proud of and anything better is fantastc i enjoy trips to Dundee Perth Edinburgh etc and look at as a great day out with drinks football etc and hope they continue for a few years yet but if they don't there are trips to other towns which are just as enjoyable Hopefully we can maintain the top league for a while yet but I can't help but think next year is going to be pivotal in the story of ICT I'm always pretty optimistic and hopeful that things will work out ok. Ironically one of my favourite seasons was in the 1st when we came back up again and though we heard stories of losing £1million I really enjoyed it . Even losing the cup against Dundee after being 2 up As fans do we think the next few years can be as good. Have we reached a pinnacle. Are we going to be Like hibs/st mirren etc and flirt with the championship I can't help but think the story of ICT has got lots of twists and turns and exciting tales to come yet.

Absolutely no chance there were 3,600 there. Everyone in the ground could have fitted in the North Stand. Lucky if there was 2,200 there which I think is the capacity of the North / South stands?

Sadly, chances of Raven getting a contract were probably killed tonight. At best, Hughes might have considered Raven if he was scraping the barrel and we'd got some extra cash from finishing 7th. That chance hasn't totally gone yet, but we've not half made it difficult now. Get Raven back at fullback and Meekings and Warren central defence. With Tremarco playing really well at left back, would you swap that back four with any premiership team next season? Clearly Hughes would.

According to the look JH gave when asked by fan in main stand to get David Raven on I have given up any hope of him getting a new contract ....I hope I'm proved wrong !!

Gives me no pleasure to confirm that Edie Ofere scored against us for Dundee Utd tonight (6 May). Also, Curtis Allen scored for Glentoran in a 2-1 away win at Coleraine

Between them they have 68 goals for ICT, which is considerably more than the whole ICT XI have scored for ICT!

Have to admit that I would have enjoyed watching us relegate the Arabs become we blew it a few years ago when they beat us at TCS in the final game - and the behaviour of some of their supporters was disgraceful.

It must have fallen by the wayside after you were no longer involved at the club then. No matter, the important thing is that the club are making these tickets available and healthy, growing numbers are taking up the offer.

It would be a nice gesture if there was a wealthy businessman / woman out there who could subsidise a small bus for this game . Hard luck if the loyal supporters who travel to all away games can't get to last one of season . Got my begging bowl in hand ,in hope :-)

Its all over bar the counting, with not much on here and lots of red dots which I did not contribute to. For those who are staying up with excitement to see who comes in second I hope you have a good night and your party is successful. I am away to bed for a sound sleep knowing we will be in safe hands for the next five years

A bit off topic but while you are entitled to your own opinion you are not entitled to your own facts. According to Professor John Curtis, something of an authority on the matter, there have been 25 polls on the matter of independence conducted by reputable pollsters. After stripping out the don't knows, the average for yes is 48 % and for no 52 %. Not a dramatic change since the referendum but a definite 'edging up'. but fear not dear Unionist, unless the UK votes to leave the EU with Scotland voting the other way by a significant majority the question of another referendum in the course of the next parliament will not arise despite the Unionist parties attempt to make it otherwise it is not an immediately current issue whilst, the economy, the health service, education, law and order and transport to name but a few are and that is why we are likely to wake up to another five years of 'Separatist' rule tomorrow morning.

Well done CaleyCanary !! Thanks for running again Gringo , great fun and pain at the same time , cheers !

Equally, maybe the board are getting a bit tired of his negative comments in the press about the club. Can't say I'd be too chuffed if one of my employees was running the company down. Just a thought.

Thankful of John Hughes time with us last season but I am of the opinion that the club needs fresh ideas, so wouldn't be all that sad if Yogi walked at the end of the season.

Thank you all for the good wishes. I really didn't mean for it to be 'all about me'' (although my friends would say that I love to be the centre of attention), I had just wanted to show how football has the ability to let you forget your worries for a while. It's not the most important thing in the world but it is a great form of escapism for us fans. I usually only go to the home games; but I have to say I admire those of you who make the time and spend the money to go regularly to the away games as well. You must really give the team a boost when they see/hear you all on their travels. It sounds like great crack, but I'm sure there are many long boring journeys home when the results don't go our way, so well done to the travelling support for the team.

I would say we have kind of got to where we want to be. Which is consistently playing in the top tier, we have won the big cup,finalists in the wee Cup, finished 3rd and played in Europe. The support/ interest in ICT has grown considerably √ The skill levels of local youngsters had improved √ ICT tv √ Children are growing up supporting ICT√ The next step would be to increase the numbers actually coming to the matches as well as maintaining the standards that we have set on the pitch.

I'm not sure it's really a question that needs to be asked as all football teams should strive to better themselves and move forward regardless of any pitfalls or obstacles that are put in their way. I do however agree with the content of the thread and most peoples thoughts and it's good to see a thread that isn't painting everything in a dark light like it's the end of the world. We all knew deep down that after last season there would be changes, players would move on, that it would be hugely difficult to emulate anywhere near what we did acheive but the extent was unknown and I think that's what's caught people on the hop. It's not like the club has died or gone into administration or been chucked into the bottom league or anything, still so much to be thankful for and to build on. It's imperative that we try and secure our more talented players on contracts past the summer that we haven't already and surely we should be looking already at targets to bring in and even be working on some as we speak. As well as this I firmly believe that we need to bring in another coach, where possible, that has good attacking coaching attributes as the exit of Russell Latapy is evident for all to see and an area that we really need to improve on. His influence where maybe not noticed last season is massively noticable now in my opinion. With regards the board and being more transparent with the fans, that's a difficult one to be honest and not something that can be answered directly I don't think. Yes in an ideal world they could come out and make everyone involved aware of the direction of the club and what they are trying to achieve and budgets and how the finances are but then they run the risk of opening this up to the wider football community. Suddenly everyone knows you have a bit of money to spend or you want to recruit the following way or want the club to play a certian way etc, there must be areas that are kept at board/management level and this goes for all businesses.

Yes Charles see the posts back on 2nd January.

That's your loch Scarlet.

I, like you, wonder if we would get the same Billy back but anyway, he is probably outside our "similar budget".

Obviously an overwhelming victory for the SNP but the much anticipated 2nd overall majority did not materialise. Some were also suggesting the SNP might win all of the constituency seats but they actually fell 14 seats short of that. The SNP constituency share of the vote was 46.5% which was lower than any opinion poll rating since December 2014. It would appear that the SNP have peaked and are on theeir way down. We can therefore expect the SNP's strategy for the next parliament to be focussed on gaining sufficient support for independence to justify a 2nd referendum ASAP. It is clear that voting in the Holyrood election is broadly based on voters' views on independence. Those who want an independent Scotland vote SNP because it is only with an SNP Government that there will ever be a 2nd referendum. This, of course, was why the door to a 2nd referendum was left open in their manifesto. Whilst the Lib Dems have slipped to 5th, it is interesting to note that their constituency vote of 7.8% is higher than any opinion poll rating since Feb 2014. They'll be back as a force before too much longer. Now attention can focus on the EU referendum. Clearly a vote to leave by the UK as a whole will reopen the independence debate here again. It should be an interesting few weeks.

Not convinced Billy Mckay is the answer. I'd be more interested in signing Miles Storey on a permanent.

So there's obviously no chance at all of ICT affording a bike each for them?

Preview for United's last visit for a while.............

25 minutes. And still impressive. Mutumbo, Polworth and Roberts have good first touches. Storey could have equalised but good stop by Hiroshima. Arabs now concentrating on defending but we still need that finisher.

Have to emphasise that the Arabs are shockingly poor

Brilliant! You should set up a new pro-UK website called "Yngwies Over Scotland". If I could presume to add to your masterful analogy, I also wonder how many of their supporters spend many of their waking hours hanging aimlessly about outside their HQ, draped in SNP regalia, desperately hoping that Wee Nicola or some of "the players" might emerge.

Yep! Dead as a Dodo, like. Bughtie. In fact I would suggest that this thread must be a dead-ringer for more comments wouldn't you? But , truly, in point of fact this thread is, well, probably pretty penny d.r.eadful.

We deserve to go down just because of this and it's 100% happening next season