Scarlet Pimple

And if he means at only the two parks of Ibrox and Parkhead, then how will that be exciting for any other club? And, just to mention a really trivial matter, in what way would it benefit ICT or any other club in the SPL? For goodness sake! If these remarks are actually truly attributed to Mr Doncaster then I don't know how long he will be able to keep his current position. From all the stuff I have read,, this man has few leadership skills, no common sense and just can't get his head out of the sand.

Three excellent posts respectively from Scotty. Caley D and DoofersDad. If the SFA, or whoever, wanted to force the club to install USH, in the face of the objections of Caley Thistle for seemingly common sense and thoroughly practical reasons, then the SFA or the SPL should have been willing to foot the bill to make sure that it is done right-i.e any rolling of the ground to be compensated by some other procedure to balance out the nagative effects of the former. The more I read about the expectations about the rules, regulations and lack of common sense displayed in the top echelons of Scottish football just now my heart and mind weeps with frustration. Anybody who wants to set up a petition detailing these facts above and demanding that the irrational employees be sidelined and the rational ones, even if they are the ball boys, be promoted into the SFA/SPL Boardrooms will have my signature by Express Post. But what now? Is this problem going to be addressed effectively? And,if so,how? Either we strongly berate the SFA rules for forcing this on the club or we have to mount a cogent campaign against them in the press.I am personally fed up to the back teeth with the way the "Authorities" in Glasgow have been picking on Inverness Caledonian Thistle going back as far as the Aberdeen fiasco. It's a bloody disgrace and we have to change it -- We know that the press in the Glagow area where the Offices of the SFA are, will not be co-operative so logically it's a petition then.............?

The solution is quite obvious but, due to entrenched attitudes at the SFA which will preclude all possibility of flexibility occurring in their approach to doing things, and dynamic CHANGE, it will never happen. To be a visionary leader in football in Britain for them would be anarchism or at least anathema. They will never think outside the old traditional box and seem to be determined to always be trailing the pack. They will not encourage real change by originality of ideas and a willingness to seriously review procedures. They are slaves to convention and tradition and when T.V calls the shots over any decision they might make then do we have a problem? You bet. The SPL season should start to co-incide with that of the north american Major League Soccer which commenced about three weeks ago. They will play in much brighter, fairer conditions generally speaking , the crowds will not be frozen stiff or wet and will enjoy the whole atmosphere better. There will probably also be less risk of injury, better ball passing and a faster more fluid game . I rest my case and welcome positive criticism

Right on, Scotty.

Well, I am up sitting at the comoputer here in Vancouver and it is just past 4a.m. Och, I'm away back to bed fer goodness sake. Obviously no one can predict such conditions except I can't but wonder why the drainage is so poor since surely ensuring that it was able to contain and dissipate adverse water conditions should have been a priority before/at installation of the undersoil heating? Knowing that weather can result in cancellation of this fixture why could it not be advanced to 3 p.m.or played tomorrow?I am sure Celtic would be very happy to hear that kind of news. After all, what money do they get out of it apart from the T.V. that is? Just asking like. My point really is.... does this come as a catastrophic surprise to the club? More importantly,is the club willing to spend more money in somehow improving the drainage at this time? Not for this season that's for sure.

Never say never. The bigger they are the harder they fall. One huge demand from His Majesties' Revenoors could bring the whole house of cards tumbling down. I have mixed feelings as to whether or not I would welcome a move from both of them to England. For ICT they do seem to bring the the fans through the turnsmiles but is the odd game really worth it. Their influence on the SPL clubs and hierarchy is so huge and pervasive that I tend to think that their impact on the whole scenario is overbearing and overburdening.And stifling. Should they go,I am wondering if that would lift a good load off everybody's shoulders and spark a renaissance in the top echelon of Scottish Football. If it did, then the energy released would inevitably filter down through the lower divisions and the output of the players could be, hopefully, more honest. 'm'off

Phew! Now I am glad that ICT never made a move for him. We have had enough troubles and challenges over the last two years without a headstrong player like this causing more anxiety and stress. Prima Donna , male variety, is not the word. Scotty, maybe his departure will spark the club into going on a streak. Final word--he had better play very well at Red Bulls or his career might take a real nosedive because no club needs a loose cannon.And he is ovberp[aid to boot. Good luck!

Frei-excellent keeper. As far as I remember he is Finnish , like Mixu Patticake.Very agile big figure with great hands. The talk is that he is a cert to be signed by a big European team but you should be able to keep him at Toronto for this season at least. You do have some interesting and good players Scotty but the team needs to get forward and into the opposition goal area more, despite the often fine passing that they do. I it all breaks down k\just over the half way line then...? Knowledge-- your comments are interesting and well informed , surprisingly so and the Pimple is impressed that yiu know about him. I din't think that anybody in Inverness would know about Steve Nssh but in North America he is a huge respected star and businessman. Scotty, bringing in another couple of large city teams would not be a bad thing and New York did have a good name in the (distant) past. Yes, I was reading about the success of Seattle and their fan base is very large and their home crowds are huge apparently.Why? Can't imagine why MLS soccer is so popular there. Maybe people coming into Seattle are from other parts of the US and the world. Boeing Aircraft factory is close by and it is a very attractive city situated on the extreme North West of the U.S. on the pacific coast about 100 miles or less South of Vancouver. Excellent freeway goes right over the city and the exterior roads leading in to the inner core are good too. It was voted the best city in the U.S.to live in a couple of years ago. No wonder; mild climate ( more often than not very wet, like Vancouver) but equable year round , fantastic scenery and easy access to forests and mountains, skiing galore (Whistler just 80 K north of Vancouver--just reported a total snow fall of 45 feet, gets its share of U.S enthusiasts), boating is very big, fishing Simply an awesome area to live in, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Fresh air blowing in from the South West from the Pacific ocean keeps the area fresh. It's the unregulated industrial run-off into the associated streams which in turn run into the Pacific that is killing the whales, and filling the fish up with mercury. Even the baby whales are now found to have pollutants in their bodies these days with the adjacent Howe Sound Pacific basin coming into Seattle that is totally pollute. Its very sad butmoneyt is the gOid so ... what can one do....?

Was not aware that he was on so much money! Phew! I guess it's human nature to always want more. Enough is never enough, it seems. And I don't just mean football. De Rosario for that money is not worth it(not to Caley Thistle, anyway). When I saw him 3 years ago on video he was a veritable non-stop dynamo who would cover the whole field like a rash with his running in a game. He stood out like a sore thumb. But what I see of him now is that he has toned down quite a bit and emerges in the game only more sporadically to stamp his authority on it or to provide a few thrills now and then or does something speedy and spectacular like his goal agaisnt Vancouver a couple of weeks ago. In short he may not be lazy, and may be playing to Manager's instructions or something; but I don't see him really as a superstar, rather a player who is satisfied with bis position and the salary he is now enjoying and is content to ease off and wait for the ball. Probably would not fit in with the current requirements of the ICT team these days! With salaries like that it's no wonder the teams need large crowds to make ends meet.An article in the local Province newspaper today states that the TV "attendances" are down re watching the local Whitecaps from the high of several hundred thousand of two weeks ago to only some 80,000 viewings to watch their most recent away match. In addition, stats show that the MLS does not attract that many viewers overall in the season compared to other sports so..... The owners of the MLS teams may have an uphill battle to promote the sport in North America and will have to work hard and spend money in advertising and promos to be successful. Tickets are not cheap but the only reason I knew it was on the Telly was that I happened to glimpse the game arrangements in a small ad on the sports page of the local daily newspaper about an hour after the game had started in the paper. So, It should be all over the local news and even on the TV hockey games I think. We shall see.....

And, to think that I recommended De Rosario to the Caley Board in 2008 but got a polite turndown from Mr Bennet I think it was at that time. He is just as potent now as he was then and could have done a turn for the team. Always willing to hava go and bags of skill . There you go, another slippery eel gone through the fingers. Mind you, I shudder to think what Toronto is paying him but I don't think he could be viewed as a real prospect now based on that issue alone Do you think that he could have fitted in nicely Scotty? Looking at it in hindsight my feeling is..well, maybe not. The cold and snowy Scottish weather would have him wanting back to Canada pretty soon after he arrived I fear. Maybe if it was to Celtic though.......? LOL

Interesting site. Good common sense remarks from some fellas on there.Philadelphia has a lovely stadium right on the water there. Very scenic. Rivals Tulloch fer heavens's sake! The last game I saw last year was Vancouver versus Portland Timbers at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C., in which Portland won 0-1. Their team was unexceptional but managed to absorb whatever pressure that Vancouver threw at them. I remember it was a bit of a towsy game with both teams not looking too likely to score. This, of course, was not the MLS (Major League Soccer) but the next dvision down. There was, and is, a stark difference between the size of the crowds though as I mentioned in my last thread on the subject. Night and day, like. In North America there just seems to be so much money available for sporting teams that owners' ambitions have no fetter when it comes to spending money. But that has always been an American trait--i.e their willingness to take risk and spend a dollar to make a dollar in business--something I really do admire. Steve Nash, the hugely successful Basketball star from Vancouver, who I think was the NBA star last year and who incidentally is also a good soccer player, is apparently involved with the Whitecaps as an Investor as is Arthur Griffiths who used to be the owner of the Vancouver Canucks ice hockey team. The Canucks are simply running away with the National Hockey League this year.Their success this year have people finally hoping that this will be their year to win the Stanley cup and well they might. Top of the North American League and win after win just flowing from their brilliant hockey is a harbinger of success in the playoffs, which are about to start very soon. They have the SEDIN twins playing together as one unit and watching their stick handling is pure joy to behold. I guess when you are on $6 million and counting per annum you kinda have to be really good..eh? So the Management consortium at the Whitecaps is putting their money where their mouth is and reminiscences of that great year,1979, when they won the North American soccer league in the last game of the season keep coming back by those of us who were there that afternoon.That was the era of Peter Beardsley and that famous Dutch player coach whose name escapes me. I think that we will both be taking a considerable interest in the MLS season as it progresses but Toronto were more lively a couple of days ago and they certainly were not a bad team when they came here--they just came up against a large, bustling and mighty determined athletic team in Vancouver on the first day of the season and did not capitalise on their first half superiority. Simple. Enjoyed the linky there Scotty. Cheers

Yes it was Scotty--I did see quite a bit of that game on the telly and was pleased to see Toronto has recovered from that frenetic match against Vancouver last week. Your team looked more determined to get the ball up the park and there seemed to more urgency and determination in it. There was some good football on display. And these crowds -wow--I wish we had these at Tulloch. Another 23,000 I would guess. Looks like both Toronto and Vancouver might do very well this season.

A son of the chieftain of the clan MacBean originally came from the South West of Scotland with his entourage as the consort type of protector for the journey North of a princess from a clan that came up from that area who came north to marry a Mackintosh chief as I recall. The Mackintoshes, the MacPhersons, the Davidsons and the MacBeans then formed the Clan Chattan which became powerful and influential in the North of Scotland over a long period of time..MacKintosh was the head of that union for the most part. The MacBeans settled in the Dores area of Inverness where the clan lands , or what is left of them, still remain. The other branch of the clan had the surname of MacBayne and took up residence in the Dingwall area of the county of Ross. There is a famous hotel on the outskirts of Dingwall (sorry the name eacapes me at the present time which now does a lot of weddings, etc, and which has a haunted history from its days as a castle)which was the clan "seat"of the MacBaynes a long time ago. So Roy probably descended from that branch and is in good company. Hopefully the club could find it's way to have a benefit match for him . He certainly deserves it.

Surprised to see the words you use Harry. Who is or was bitter? Why would anyone be THAT bitter about a young man who did not make it at ICT? ICT had the right to move him along because their reponsibility primarily is to the success of the team as a whole and to the paying public. Rory was simply a player who did not perform at the level required at the time he was here. It is also true, however, that from the reading I did he was the target of a lot of ridiculous comments and abuse. Maybe he looked older than his years but he did not deserve the stupid barracking etc that he endured. THAT was unfair and more than a little insensitive and cruel. Maybe Brewster was unable to cosset him and bring him along but.... maybe this and maybe that. I do think he had more than a fair chance in the many appearances that he had. Nick Ross is younger than he was and he has managed to take advantage of his chances. It's always up to the player what effort he puts into his play and how he performs. It's all about character and hard work and determination and at that time he did not fit in so he moved on. So?? We all wish him well and if he develops into a greater player well done to Rory McAllister. Hope you are very successful RR.

Oh, and I completely agree that Terry must now adopt a more attacking formation and action. But I have been saying that for ages and it never seems to happen. If he did, at least he has a chance of getting into the top six but pure defense, or close to it, will bore the fans to death and probably not get a win. The fans surely come for entertainment and deserve this and more. Vancouver Whitecaps started their journey back into Major League Soccer in North America yesterday by winning their first game, in Vancouver, 4-2 against Toronto. But they won big. And wide and handsome. Having scoured the world for talented players they seem to have produced a very good, aggressive and determined team. Sure ; this was a huge opening game for them with a lot at stake,the pitch looked great, the sun was high in the heavens , the backdrop of sun-drenched and snow-covered North Shore mountains looked spectacular, the 22,000 crowd was in roaring form and enjoying every minute of it, but the players were keyed up and nervous energy oozed out of them. So, it was hell for leather right from the opening whistle and it turned out to be a cracking game where no fan was bored at any time. And the pace was just frenetic,the tackles sometimes crushing and excitement boiled over more than once. I have to say it --the ref was also great without being over dramatic and allowed the play to flow rather than blowing for every tin-pot infraction..Very impressive performance. In short, festive, dynamic football at it's best with a standard of pace, ball control and skill that frankly surprised me. And the goals were cracking too with some great moves spiced up with some terrible howlers in defence. The bottom line was that the players put a great deal of energy and fizz into the play and the big crowd had a ball, creating a terrific atmosphere by cheering and cheeringn the players. So, maybe ICT is a team that is just tired and jaded and all these winter worries, delayed games etc is simpoly too much for the SPL> Time for Summer football folks--long ovredue. from Western Canada.

Does anyone think Terry could be pushing the players too hard. That sounds odd doesn't it? But, the expectations have been high all through the season and he certainly knows how to rave and outwardly express both his negative and positive emotions volubly. Maybe inspirational and rousing speeches could now motivate the players better than admitted half-time rants. I am not suggesting a lack of firmness, which undoubtedly some players need to get them going, but is it possible that some of the criticism is personal in any way? The counter to these thoughts is the roasting that Hearts Manager gave his players yesterday at half time which was indtrumental in rousing the players to get the win and keep running at Saints until the end of the game. Go figure. It's puzzling . Comments ?

Is Terry trying out different players and combinations for some unknown reason? For next season perhaps? Finding a settled team may be difficult when injuries have severely impacted the team and he may well be trying to decide which player should be allowed to leave at the end of the season. And is just giving them a final chance or two to convince him of their value. And playing certain players whose form has not been inspiring seems to be counterproductive to anything. Unless heis doing this to save another player who is not fully fit or for the reason I suggest in paragraph 2,above? Hopefully he will decide soon on this because otherwise Top 6 may be a pipedream.

Any word of Jonny's progres? Bring on Doran , or McDonald, or both if they feel thet Odi should be ..well..rested . Gillet is not on the field is he?

Especially when your name is Pernis..................

Thee you go. It'''''s the Man Fer The Job on the ball.

Och! When are you U.K. fellas and fella-esses gonna get into sync with North American time changes. Sigh. Old Scarlet canna keep up with all this malarkey

O.K. Just been following the Killie match V Motherwell:= 1. Unjust penalty against motherwell. Killie score and a near riot erupts--3 officials race onto the pitch. Eremenko really tuirns it on for Killie. "He has given a Master Class in silky football today" 2. Ref is Mike Tunmilty--wasn't he the allegedly one-sided ref who had the Caley V Celtic match and never saw a few things. 3. Killie were playing dynamite silky football today--referred to by one adoring fan as "Scotland's answer to Barcelona." "Is there any other team in Scotland that can beautiful football like that?" he asks

Any action yet? No goals I take it?

Yngwie was right. and so was Ginger Jaggie. When Celtic scored just before half time that turned the tide and gave them the ascendancy. Jonny came on too late and like most of the Caley Players was encircled by Celtic players as soon as they attempted to move on the attack and never got out of the groove. On the other hand ,what I saw in the 2nd half indicated that ICT players never closely marked any of the Celtic players who, as a result, had plenty of space to run and pass. And so their passing was very good in midfield but I was not THAT impressed at their attempts to score close in to the goalmouth. ICT did play quite well with some controlled passing but never got close enough to goal to trouble the Celtic defence and their goalie was good too(2nd half) That video link was not half bad though. I only saw the second half but the video was better than nothing at all being available on the airwaves. Oh well, next season beckons.