starchief

He'll probably have an anthem for him out there, although I'm not sure what they'll singh.

I wonder if Butcher's top scout, Steve Massala, has checked him out?

I thought McCourt was terrific for Celtic. He just hardly ever played though. If he had left for regular football, he would be in the Premiership by now. He has that talent easily. But now, he's 29 and has hardly any game time behind him. Just imagine he had spent the last three years at Hibs or Dundee United. A cass act that is a shadow of what he should be. It was too easy for him to pick up wages for a few minutes every so often.

But what about our trophy defence the year after?

Is he not on a year on-year off schedule, where he spends every alternate year in the sick room?

Esson Raven Meekings Warren Shinnie Foran Draper Ross Doran Greenhalgh McKay Not so bad so far.

Certainly wouldn't mind him being back. To think he would probably have been first choice with Esson's injuries.

Good call! I'd even say that would be Doran's natural position.

Someone for the fans to identify with....

I dont see how top six is possible this season or next. After all, we dont have the cash of others and, as some are so fond of saying, Butcher is tactically niaive, so next year, like this, will be a relegation battle with the other paupers of Ross County. What else could we expect of such a poor manager making such terrible tactical choices. We will never finish above the likes of Hearts, Hibs,Aberdeen and Dundee United without tactical awareness.

And how confident can we be they wouldn't be off injured for most of next season. Seemed to be the way in the past. This is the first good year they've had in a long time, so I'm not sure their bodies would be up for two seasons in a row (and I don't fancy paying for them only for them to do a Hogg and say thanks but they'd prefer to play elsewhere).

One of the few occasions when a Butcher rumour might be justified. Well losing a lot of players though.

Is it 1 or 2 goals he's scored? Fans can't seem to make up their mind.

If it is Hogg that doesnt want to stay as he is not first choice, then he should have announced that before he took all those wages and free treatment. If its the club, I can understand if there is still lingering doubts over an injury prone player.

Ross played for most of the match. Didn't see him make much difference. Sutherland? When has he ever played there?

Sheez! We have our best ever season, finishing above Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hibs and Hearts, as well as Ross County, plus miles above the drop and already Butcher is being blamed for getting us relegated NEXT season. Yeah, we had drops in form. As did all the other teams, which is why we finished above all others, except easily the two best teams in the SPL, plus narrowly to another on the final day. What a miserable life if you cannot just look to the light occassionaly.

Not playing Ross was strange but didnt see him do much when he came on. Ross and Jones? Might just have tilted the balance but we cant have multiple first team midfielders on standby. I felt a draw was realistic with Devine and Taylor in midfield but not much more. Not sure what else we could have done.

Let us also remember, we finished above not only the County rivals but also the big spending Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen and Dundee United. We have come a long way when people are disappointed we didnt beat the Terrors. Squad mainly intact for next season, with only AShinnie needing a quality replacement that might be a tough shift to find. A great season for both ICT and Scottish fitba. Cant wait for next.

Todays result was down to Taylor and Devine not being able to make a telling pass. Doran and, to an extent, AShinnie looked bright on the odd ocassion they got the ball but a midfield of two fullbacks and a touch player reserve just was asking too much. I just cant criticise the midfield for not being good enough passers to be regular midfielders. Just one of Draper, Foran or OTJ would have made the difference.

Dont see any shortage of effort, just quality. Defence is fine, attack starved and midfield playing like defenders (which they are, by and large)

Its a lot better but maybe Raven in midfield for Taylor?

Nothing in midfield but not sure what we can do? Maybe three at the back with GShinnie and Raven in midfield? Drop AShinnie back a bit but stick on Sutherland for Taylor. Its Man Utd without Beckham, Keane and Scholes. Cannot do without a whole midfield.

Putting in Foran for OTJ would be the move I think, then trying to get a replacement for Foran's position. Richie has done well as a defensive mid, considering he's always played as a striker or left-sided forward. We could probably have an extra season or two out of him in that position and he has the footballing brain to excel in that post.

By that token, we should be getting rid of Esson, be glad A.Shinnie is going, hopeful that Hayes will never come back and be criticising the likes of Raven, Foran etc that never made it in the lower reaches of England. Instead, we should only be bringing in first team players from Celtic and Motherwell, plus the likes of top Championship and Premiership sides. It just doesn't work like that.

Gavin Rae would be ideal if Jones leaves but I expect he's off to Australia. Also, not the age of player Butcher likes (but I think he's pretty good).