alfie

game off :(

referee was late, so inspection was delayed

11 am inspection now

Just a thought ... SFL games tend to clash with international weekends. I believe Butcher is genuinely committed to stay, but will he have to decide between his roles with Scotland and Caley Thistle or is it acceptable for the occasiuonal game to be taken by Malpas alone?

Scotty is right and word from the players is that there is a heck of a lot of substance behind the good soundbites ... coaching is like a breath of fresh air. Much more detailed and than anything they've had under Brew. They actually know their roles, their shape and how the rest of their team-mates will play

Sorry Kencar, beaten to it

Reliably informed Foran, free from Southend and Eric Odhiambo, free from Leicester now fully signed until end of season only. Latter only 19 but pacy. Foran, as you probably know, big SPL impact at Motherwell - 20 odd goals in 90 games before ?150,000 move to Southend in January 2007. Sounds good to me ...

Hiro, that is definitely correct regarding Morais, Gatheussi and Pavels Mihadjuks. Hope you're right re Foran because I feel he would be a fantastic signing with his pace once he got his sharpness back

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/ho...icle2188017.ece and here ...

Beating Celtic is now almost a rite of passage for the best ICT managers ... I've got a funny feeling

Butcher flying back up from London at lunch-time, few minor details to iron out and then will meet press late afternoon, early evening. I understand the concerns expressed, but why would he take the job if he was half-hearted? There are risks to his future career opportunities if he fails here. He is also well enough paid in other roles. Clearly, he still has a drive and desire to be a success in management and that can only be good for ICT (if he is any good, of course ...)

The great thing, for me, is that Butcher will scare the life out of certain players ... he is a fine motivator and instinctive manager and, above all, will be respected (unlike CB, I suspect). To give Malpas his due, he may not be naturally suited to management, but he is a more measured and proficient coach on the training ground. A good foil the pair of them, hopefully.

And I doubt very much if he's ever likely to be... He was interviewed by Grassa/Fraser lunchtime Friday at Dunain Park Hotel. For whatever reason, he did not want to mention this on-air on Saturday.

Danny Devito as Robbo, surely ... Richard E Grant as Pele Arnie as Tokes