starchief

 

I feel that there is some responsibilty on the part of Westminster political parties to try to win the referendum  by coming together and telling those people what would become better with our governance if we vote NO

Not really. I'm pretty sure how the UK will look in the event of a NO vote.  The onus is on YES to persuade us that the alternative is better.

 

austerity is positively going to continue for at least another Government term

Given that I blame that on the last Labour government virtually bankrupting the country, having a country with that self-same government fills me with dread.  Osbourne may be terrible but I'm in no doubt if Balls had been Chancellor, we'd be in the position that France is. Probably worse.

 

as someone who would prefer not to be in the EU or in a currency union with the rUK, I can only say that you pays your money and you makes your choice. All life is uncertainty

I'm certain after a NO vote what the currency would be and whether we would be in the EU.  YES can't say the same.  The YES has to present a valid alternative for most people.  It's not enough to say, it'll be alright on the night.

I find it rather surprising that Westminster assumes that they, and only they will be the UK successor/continuing state...Why are you so sure that rUK will not also have to renegotiate their membership of the EU

No-one has seriously suggested that.  It's clutching at straws.  EU officials have stated Scotland's EU position is in doubt.  And so what if rUK weren't in the EU.  Doesn't help Scotland.

 Scotland can walk away free and clear like a new born babe

Not if we want to operate in the modern world.  A country refusing to pay its debts (and I'm pretty sure that's how the rest of the world will look at it) would not operate.  Again, this is all pie-in-the-sky stuff that convinces nobody except the definite YES's.

 

The independent Scotland from 1980 scenario is interesting

Again, this is all assuming everything would be the same.  That somehow having an independent rUK next door will not attract money away.  I would seriously doubt that.  And I'm sure having such a strong competitor next door would still claw money away from current levels.  How will an independent Scotland cope with that?

YES really has to come up with some solid Plan Bs.  I could see that we may actually have a Sterling zone.  I can see we may be welcomed into the EU.  Conversely, I can also see we could be forced to go with the Euro and come together in a far closer union than the polls suggest Scots want.  Would an independent Scotland accept that or go it alone?  I don't know but it's something that needs addressed if the don't knows and mildly NOs are to switch.

Do you mind DoofersDad?!?  This is an internet forum!! Kindly stop posting your reasoned sensible comments and get back to stating how the best players this country has are, in fact, p1sh. And don't bother explaining why.  We simply don't have the time to read before declaring your comment is also p1sh.

Those are the rules of the interweb.

What? Turned down Hibs?  They're a much bigger club though.  In fact, this year, there's even a possibility of making top six!?!?

With 'Well and ICT, he got the chance to develop his squad despite problems at first. That luxury wasn't afforded him in most of his other positions.  Will Hibs give him the chance if he's falling below top six this Xmas? Based on previous clubs, they should. Based on previous managers, they won't.

I'm so bothered

I'm assuming BBC Alba for the north v south factor.

Left wing could be improved.  Watkins is better in the centre, Doran on the right and Ross more defensive.  Foran hasn't played there for a good while either. Greenhalgh isn't being played, so I guess he's not the answer, so that's a weak point.

Are we talking a Celtic with their expensive imports of Nir Biton, Almido Balde and Teemu Pukki?  I'd fancy Queen of the South would give them a run for their money!

(though I'm surprised you rate Rooney above Mckay)

Chick Young 'strongly fancies' an upset  

The Ibrox area has always been rough but Parkhead is another story.  I always wondered how di Canio, Cadette and van Hooijdonk could live with themselves asking for more money when they can see the poverty on their doorstep.

Any venue will do really.  I wonder if the Green Tirade would be so defensive of us if we ripped out their seats a la them at Fir Park?

Go to see ICT in the next final in May.

Is it fair enough?  Maybe the Rangers comments but the idea that Dundee should be walking the division is a little disrespectful, no?

We knew we were lucky from the start to even be in the semi-final, so the few fans that turned up were very grateful.  It wasn't anywhere near Ross County's number for the Scottish Cup final.  That may have been because that was the Scottish Cup final in sunnier climes, but we all really knew it was because ICT is really a made-up team with tens of thousands of people ready to turn their back on the club and support a real team, like Ross County.  And all credit to the Staggies for being so magnanimous in letting them.

From the off, Hearts looked the better side.  Their style was very counter-attacking, with some great defensive play.  At one stage, Hearts were drawing the Inverness (although not all Inverness as this is a merged team) attack so well, the Hearts' keeper was deeply involved, unlike Brill.  So, player-wise, Inverness (if we can really call that a team) were losing 10-11 in players.  Even a toe-poke from Tansey couldn't calm our nerves.

Warren was sent off very contentiously.  Why oh why, the supporters (the ones left after the merger turned most of them away) was Warren sent off when two players blocked off a certain goal?  It had to be two red cards but no!  Only Warren went.  All the fans around me were saying they only wanted to win fairly, not with this referee favouring us.  At least, they said, Ross County won their semi-final fair and square.

To no-one's surprise, Hearts scored with a brilliant goal.  Hammill, amazingly, managed to bounce it off a couple of players.  I couldn't stop myself from applauding.  Hamill scored again from a free-kick.  Well, that's what happens when we try to kick the better team off the park.  I applauded again.

Meekings then attempted to break the leg of a Hearts player and was rightfully sent off.  He was heard whispering under his breath that it was a fair enough decision.  I think he also made a swing for the referee but a Hearts player shouted 'Remember Ross County' and Josh was immediately ashamed.

Time was up but the referee, as usual, gave Inverness (I won't call them Caledonian Thistle to stop any real fans being offended) the benefit of the doubt, allowing what seemed like hours of injury time.  Ross then scrambled in what looked like a foul on the goalkeeper.  And he was offside too.

It then went to penalties.  The most unfair way of winning.  Despite Celtic being a better team, Ross County didn't need penalties in their semi-final.

So, all-in-all, a win.  But in the most unsatisfactory way possible.  But then, it is only the League Cup, so it's not like we made it to the Scottish Cup final, unlike our gallant neighbours Ross County.  It was probably because of the merger.

Maybe he was referring to dougal, George and theeagle?

I've actually found a lot of other supporters quite like us.  Including Aberdonians.  Maybe not on match day but they still see us as a wee team.  A bit of the battling underdog.  David amongst the Goliaths.

Being ICT doesn't seem to raise a frown (well, except for the Hearts fan in the next office).  More of a delight it's not a serious rival.  Just a wee club, doing their best.

Thought Brown did well at Dundee.  Almost saved from relegation and still very much in the promotion hunt. What makes them so special that they don't think a good young Falkirk team should even be allowed to challenge?

I think a number of us were right.  ICTs style is now far more in tune with the way Greg plays.  Tansey and Draper looked ideal together.  Give them a few games together and that'll be a hard act to split.  So much so, I'd move Foran on the left, Doran on the right and Watkins in the middle of that attacking midfield three.

Well, it's a northern derby, so how about the most northern stadium - Elgin City?  Or if they need an SPL venue - Ross County.

Or maybe somewhere inbetween.  Just over the Kessock Bridge, say?

How about a poll for this topic?

I know there's amost certainly going to be injuries and form changes but if it was tomorrow, Foran would be my shout at the back with Devine.

Posting your Facebook page on your profile means it's easy to see there's no likes for Inverness in there but plenty for Celtic.

...so you'd know about paranoia.

Whoops, I'm feeding the troll. Hailing frequencies closed.

I knew Hamil coudn't do it.  He was barey able to walk.  No chance of blasting it.

Fantastic!!!!

Now crucial selection headaches.  Who will partner Devine in the back four and...who will DalneighCaley support?

So proud.

Wow, a Celtic supporter that likes referees?

Oh, I forgot.  You're trolling.

Add to ignore list!

What was the Meekings red card for?  Did he injure anyone?  Did he stop a goalscoring opportunity?  Threw a leg out.  Gave Hearts a bit of a respite to time-waste and no-one struggled to carry on?  Stupid, yes. But that's a yellow card.  Plenty of worse tackles.

Devine wasn't the right sub.  Goal difference won't count at the end.  If you're behind in a cup semi, throw everything at getting an equaliser.

Yogi's gone for my line-up!

A big welcome to George.  Given that George has been kind enough to post his Facebook page, it's interesting to note how a Celtic supporter, with Alloa as his wee team, views Billy Mckay.  I'm sure we're grateful for the insight and will treat his posts with the respect they deserve.

You ever bump into theeagle down there?  He's a big fan of Hartley too.