Bridge_Ender

Take it your camera was broken this day? http://www.caledonianfc.co.uk/Last%20Season/merge.jpg dougal 2 flags? Festooned? Get a grip... As I said, the Union flag undoubtedly was displayed at Telford Street but to suggest it was 'festooned' implies that Caley were simply a mini-Rangers and the fans were merely Huns without the bus fare, which is complete horsesh1t. Good fishing trip though, you've had a few bites...

Dougal, can you provide a link to one of the pictures from Mantis' site where there there are Union Jacks displayed? As someone who provided quite a few of the pictures for the Caley Nostalgia Site, I'd be quite surprised if you could. That's not to say that the Union Flag wasn't ever displayed at Telford Street, it undoubtedly was, but to suggest it was 'festooned' is quite ridiculous. Caley were known as the Rangers of the North as they were the most successful Non-League side in the UK, much the same as Rangers as the most successful side in the UK Senior Leagues. For many people Rangers were also the Caledonian of the Scottish League .

A few contenders... Paul Ritchie's header against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup Semi Final at Hampden.... Bingham against St. Johnstone on the last day of the first SPL promotion season... Brian Thomson against Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Cup in '96 (I think)... Liam Keogh in the aforementioned Clyde game (what a volley!)... Mikey Teasdale v County (screamer from edge of the box across the keeper and into far corner) at Viccy Park in '96 (again, I think!)... Mark McCulloch v Dundee United in the Scottish Cup (1998, maybe??)... Any of Stewarties chip shots against County, although any of the Viccy Park ones are maybe that bit sweeter...! Tokely v Hearts in the Scottish Cup in '02... Golabek v Dunfermline at Pittodrie, our first SPL goal ever by our Skipper, brilliant... All three of Alan Herchers Hat Trick against Arbroath in the first ever SFL game in Inverness!

Probably just welcoming to the Highlands and reminding him who the bigger club is! Don't think there is anyone at County that would improve our squad anyway

Seems the authorities can't win... Games on, moans about fan safety. Games off, moans about how it's not that bad... It might be mollycoddling or whatever but it isn't a clever idea to make unnecessary journeys in this weather and the rescue services will be stretched enough right now without having to rush off to road incidents cos an additional 50,000+ people are on the roads for football. Correct decision for me. As a direct result, should this not re-open the winter shut down debate? Or even summer football?

Who was the winger from Dundee (or United) that Brewster was trying to sign? It wasn't Conway, sure it was Stephen something??

Ref, if any of the Caley boys get this close to one of our guys it's a foul, that's what the Scottish Refs do. Understood?

McCourts goal looks like a belter right enough, does he ever score tap ins?? Fantastic result and keeps the great run going! It's been an awesome year and here's to continuing it for another 12 months!

Big congratulations to all involved, listened to the game today as I couldn't make it and at 2-0 down was resigned to this fantastic run ending. Amazing effort by the lads to get back to 2-2 and just proves again how good the team spirit must be in this squad to force the game back their way! Brilliant effort from everyone involved at the club and finally the media seem to be taking notice and realising we play some pretty nice football too. What a year it has been and long may it continue!

Wasn't at the game so can't say whether it was banter or not, but I was at Jamie Carraghers Testimonial earlier in the season where Michael Owen was playing as part of Carras Liverpool team in the first half. The first 15 minutes or so he was boo'ed longly and loudly for being a Manc nowadays. A few supporters took exception to this and started to cheer him every time he touched the ball. By the end of the half every time he touched the ball it was to applause and cheering. In short, if any fans thought any boo'ing of Brewser was out of order, why didn't they cheer him instead to show they though it wasn't the time or the place? Would achieve a lot more than moaning on a web forum a day or so after surely?

If the Scottish Refs decide to withdraw their labour/strike then I wouldn't go to the game if it was officiated by a foreign Ref. I really dislike the way the football has gone in recent years and the flooding of the game with huge amounts of money resulting in massive wages and enormous ticket prices has, for me, hugely eroded what football, and sport in general, is all about. If the referees striking can bring a little bit of respect and perspective back into the game then that is well worth supporting and missing a game for. To bring in foreign referees would totally undermine the officials in this country at a time when the SFA should be trying to offer more, not less, support. It really could cause irreparable damage.

Abuse of referees isn't a new issue. In 2008, I think, the managers and players agreed to not criticise officials publicly, a pact which lasted all of 5 minutes if I remember right. I think this strike is a last resort as some of the Referees are now genuinely fearing for their safety. Celtic officials effectively endorsing the paranoid fringe in their club to react against perceived institutionalised injustices has just brought it to a head. Most Referees I know or have met, admittedly not Category 1 ones, expect and accept criticism as part of the the modern game, although no one appreciates it... The whole situation is embarrassing for Scottish Football. It's been allowed to go unchecked for far too long and now it's gone too far, the SFA have to shoulder a huge amount of blame for not protecting their employees better. Referees are just as important than the players on the pitch and you can't have one without the other. Other sports manage to respect officials without issue, why should football be any different?

The ref's are completely justified in their action. They aren't throwing the toys out the pram at the first hint of criticism, if that were the case they'd have given up 150 years ago! I think referees expect, and accept, criticism but that does not mean they should be subjected to some of the insanity that players, managers and fans feel is justified because football is an 'emotional game'. When that abuse continues after the game and follows the Referee home and affects his family and work life,it's gone far too far. Celtic are the catalyst for this episode but all the clubs have to shoulder blame as every club has had players and managers booked/sent off/sent to the stand for dissent. However, the SFA have allowed it to continue unchecked for far too long. Maybe it's because there is a new Chief Executive who doesn't understand the ridiculous politics that consume the Scottish game, or maybe the organisation is just weak. Reid and Lennon should both be charged with bringing the game into disrepute and Dougie MacDonald shouldn't be allowed to officiate at a kids kickabout again. It doesn't matter whether he ultimately got the decision right or wrong. He lied and as a Referee his integrity cannot be in question so his actions have made his position untenable. The whole situation is just an embarrassment for Scottish Football.

Any idea on the ticket details yet? Not seen anything on the official site and wouldn't mind getting one sorted at the Hibs game. Can we do it? Yes, of course! And anything that shuts up that moaning, childish pain in the ar$e Lennon is an added bonus! We might be the team that tips him over into the increasingly inevitable nervous breakdown too...

Interesting article indeed and a bit of an insight into the politics of the bigger picture. RIP Jim Farry

Granty reached legend status years ago IMO. An excellent centre half, despite his detractors, who gives everything for the team in every game. To be honest, I think he is relishing not having the armband, his performances certainly seem to show this. Maybe, like Charlie, it was just that little bit too personal for him. He must be due a testimonial by now surely?? Or has he already had one and I missed it?? I remember him making his debut against Livi in the Scottish Cup and that was.... before the millennium?!

Roy has been a legend for us and still one of the most popular players at the club. I can't make midweek games either, could it not have been played on an International weekend towards end of season (i.e. when Scotland aren't playing) so as many fans as possible could make it? Can't see the attendance being too great with it being midweek... which is a shame cos if there is one player who deserves a big turn out it is him.

For at least half the SPL, the focus is on not being relegated. That encourages negative football as clubs have the mentality of not losing rather than trying to win. For all games the pressure is on the home side to come out and attack, which makes it easier for the away team to sit in patiently and counter attack when the opportunity arises. The stakes are too high for the clubs outside the top 4 or 5 which doesn't help the quality of football. Its all about incentives and with the levelling of the playing field combined with the strength of the Old Firm over the last few years, survival has become the only target. A larger league would help ease that pressure, I think anyway.

Cracking result and proved that the selection decisions made in midweek were the correct ones. Grant was excellent today, best game he's played in ages. Maybe not having the responsiblity of being captain will be a good thing for him. Nick Ross was also very good in centre midfield after Proc went off and Duff to full back. St Mirren might not be the best team in the league but make no mistake that was an important victory against a team in a similar position to ourselves. Not to mention the boost to the confidence required after Cellic in midweek.

Would that include those who chose to shout abuse and bile at our own fans? That does NOTHING to support the team and to be quite honest, we can do without it. Not everyone goes to a game to jump about, sing and chant like a looney. They certainly don't deserve the crap that was directed at them by a small group of those who proclaim to be somehow better than other fans for whatever disillusioned reasons they may have. As a lesser fan who wasn't up singing and jumping around, I must say I was humbled by the superb efforts of our super fans who inspired us mere mortals with such incredibly witty chants as 'what a sh1te away support'. The deep sense of pride that we have individuals in our support who are prepared to make up for others shortcomings in such a self effacing way almost brings a tear to the eye. It's true to say that the Celtic Ultras in the opposite corner were stunned into silence by the fantastic efforts of our elite and spent most of the game paying homage to the Inverness support, even turning their backs as a mark of respect at one point. That's how it went, wasn't it?

Good job it's not you making the decisions is all I can say! As for team shape, I thought the change to 3 centre backs and tryin to use wingbacks was a good idea given the inexperienced team we put out. Like I said above though, the defence as a unit, Tuffey excepted, didn't perform tonight and that is more a personnel issue than shape. Maybe you need to realise this is ICT and not Man Utd and we won't win every game and decisions need to be made to realise priorities. Thats what Butcher is paid for after all and if we get a result on Saturday he'll have been proved right.

If we lost 6-0 to Elgin in a cup game you may have a point. Losing 6-0 to Celtic with a team of subs and kids ain't great but isn't the end of the world. Butcher is being honest and realistic enough to say that Saturday is the real focus, and he is right to do so. Surely you understand that a win on Saturday is 100 times more important than any result tonight?! Or would you rather have won a meaningless game tonight and lose against St Mirren?! It's all about the bigger picture of staying in the SPL, you really need to get some perspective on this!

I was at the game and as soon as the teams were announced it was clear what Butcher was trying to achieve. He's right too, Saturday is the much bigger game. Tonight was embarrassing and is a sore one but its over now and we're out a competition we probably wouldn't win anyway. No lasting damage done and hopefully the young guys who played tonight realise that, can't have been a fun experience for them. Having said that, it was effectively our first choice defence tonight and they did not look clever at any point. It's becoming clear we need new bodies in there, it just doesn't seem to be working. Celtic played well but we made it easy with huge holes appearing constantly as all 3 of our starting centre backs were hauled all over the place. Maybe a sweeper is what is needed in there, someone with a bit of pace and reading of the game to coordinate whats going on with the ball winners. Who have we got who can play that role though?? Only one I can think of who might suit it is Duncan, at a push.

Like to see a wee change to the 4-5-1 to a bit more of a 4-3-3 effort. Nothing to lose really so worth a try. With the exception of Esson for Tuffey I don't really want to see anyone 'tried' out though, Celtic can potentially give us a hammering which helps no one! Tuffey McCann (if fit, Proctor if not) Tokely Munro Golabek Cox Duff Duncan Hayes Rooney Foran Subs: Esson, McBain, Shinnie, Morrison, Odhiambo, Ross, Sutherland

That's pretty much spot on CaleyD. Also, if the steward asking you to leave is not displaying a valid and sector relevant SIA issued licence, they cannot perform any duties other than a 'Customer Safety' role, essentially an usher type role if you like. If a steward has an SIA badge they will have undergone a basic Disclosure check but not the enhanced disclosure that is required to work with kids, vulnerable adults, etc. I didn't realise it was actually not illegal to stand up at a football match... Very interesting. Perhaps it would be useful if people could download it and show to the next steward comes to enforce a rule that doesn't exist...?