starchief

Went to Perth Glory unfortunately.

I see Hibs have Cillian Sheridan on trial. If he's in Rooney's wage structure, I'd take the chance on that guy. Think he could blossom in our system.

Which Miller?

Missed opportunity for someone. Supposedly not the nicest of blokes but he should have been a regular in the Scotland squad for me. Natural goalscorer. Nice passer. Shame he got stuck in a Hibs side that changed from the passing game to a lug-it-into-the-corner, fastest-man-boots-it-into-the-centre tactics. Destroyed a Hibs side with Miller, Riordan, Rankin and de Graaf, all with a crick in their neck from looking up at the ball soaring over. Can't believe Petrie thinks Calderwood is worth compensation, rather than him paying his taxi fare to Nottingham or Brum.

I'll go along with the general consensus. Offered something different. Might have been worth another year to see if he could do it once the injuries had cleared.

A. Shinnie captained Scotland Under-21s as an attacking midfielder. He's really for that Sanchez/Gil role (I would hope!). I think his pedigree means he's well worth the risk. Butcher was in the press today saying Meekings is one for the future, not the first team yet. We don't know his salary but I'm guessing it's attractive to us if he's not going straight in.

I'd forgotten Aldred was only on loan for a few months. That is worrying. Meekings is probably on a low wage and one for the future. If Terry can see it in him, then I'll trust his two-year judgement. If Tade is played in that 4-2-3-1, his job is as much to hold up the ball as well as being the target man. I think that's where he'd have to play in that system. Asking him, Sutherland or Foran to play a poaching role wouldn't work. Unless we get a goal-hanger, I don't think there's any point in playing the traditional two up front. We'll win more by battling and counter-attacking. And natural-born goalscorers are a difficult thing to find. BTW, I thought we had a pretty good team when we got relegated. Shows what management can do. I'd say this team was at least as good as the 2010/2011 team, probably better: Esson Tokely - Mihadjuks - Munro - Hastings Imrie - Duncan - Black - Morais Rooney - Foran

Brian Kerr, who impressed so much at his time with ICT, has signed for the mighty....Alloa! Ah, the lure of the bright lights...

DEFENCE Aldred seems to becoming a player, so perhaps with Tokely, Aldred, Proctor and Meekings all fighting for central defence, we might not be that badly off. But still, like to see one more CD coming in - an Innes type player: not quite an outstanding prospect but solid enough if Tokely's out. Assuming Gilbert joins, more than happy with the full-back options, particularly if Duff returns (which I think he will). MIDFIELD A. Shinnie has such a good pedigree, I think he's worth the risk. Yep, we may not get him to his potential but got to be worth a try surely. He'll be a different class with a few games and a bit of confidence if it comes off. Quite excited to see so many young good players vying for midfield: A. Shinnie, Ross, Cox, Tansey, Morrison, plus Proctor and Duff with maybe G. Shinnie at a push. I doubt it'll be a case of regular picks. I can see players coming and going due to their age, but it excites me. WINGS Again, I'm fairly happy. Hayes is obviously a first pick but A.Shinnie, Cox and Ross can also play there, as can Sutherland, Proctor and Duff. If we don't get Doran, then G. Shinnie and Foran can do well in there. Not sure where Greig or Cooper play. ATTACK A poacher is what we're missing. Still, I do wonder if we might actually do better over the long-term with hard-working, more creative type of players like Foran, Sutherland and Tade all battling for each other. Maybe we'd win more games with that combination? So, just to be sure, if we get our targets, a solid centre-back and a poacher would be the icing on the cake. I don't think we'll be struggling against relegation - although I don't think there's any team as weak as the Accies this season. Quite excited that we can turn in another good season mind you. Might cause a few upsets along the way. Exciting times ahead for ICT! Esson Gilbert - Tokely - Aldred - Gillet Cox - Tansey Hayes - A.Shinnie - Foran Tade

I'd say it was ICT that put him in the shop window. We're definitely central to his success.

St Mirren have signed Gary Teale. Surprised to see he's only 32. Not seen him for a while but a very effective player at Derby. Even if he's not the pace, seems to be able to read the game so well that shifting him into a more central position could work wonders for the Saints. Mind you, could have been for the last couple of years

Just seems so obvious Proctor should be a good defensive midfielder, I'm surprised he's never played there (that I can remember). Not quite strong enough for a centre-back, not quite quick enough for right-midfield, not quite good enough in the tackle for right-back, yet with a football brain, tidy passing and hard enough for that deep-lying midfield position.

That would enhance our name in my opinion. I'd have no problem with it.

I think Vlad's saying the Scottish Mafia (i.e. the SFA, the courts, the media and pretty much everyone else he sees against Hearts, including, bizarrely, Gary Mackay as he tries to get the best deal for his clients despite supporting the club) are behind all this. That Black and Thomson are victims of some nefarious plot to discredit the club. So, the criminals are the SFA, media etc, the kids are his players. All complete nonsense of course. Pretty disgusting stuff. I hope the ICT and other fans do target Thomson. He just shouldn't be in the game after this.

There's no way a one-off junior tournament will result in the loss of all four international teams for the World Cup. If it happened year upon year, perhaps, but this is a storm in a teacup. Nothing wrong with being Scottish and British. If some players don't want to, fair enough but I wouldn't want to deny any young boy their opportunity to appear in the Olympics. I'll be supporting Team GB, just as I will Scotland in the World Cup etc. It's not the leagues merging, it's not a regular team, it's simply a one-off as the Olympics are being held in Britain. End of. I'll be disappointed if the British team contains no Scots.

If our back two are from Tokely, Aldred and Proctor, then we're going to struggle. I imagine there is someone in the frame, so, yep, best leaving those predictions til later.

I've no problem with players/management coming to an agreement about one-year deals. However, it seems though we jumped the gun, giving recent soundings, that that is what we are looking for first and foremost. Assuming salaries are ok, with built-in safeguards (many clubs have relegation clauses - maybe even most), why wouldn't we begin with a position of getting Hayes, Ross etc tied to three-year contracts? If they KO it, fair enough but we don't seem to be aiming for that point of view. All I can go on is the public statements and nuances of the club's position.

He's from Aberdeen and only ever played with Dundee United and the Dons so can't see much connection with Fife. I suspect it's purely the length of the deal (although I've no inside info). So far, he's spent his whole career at established SPL sides, so must think a better contract is out there. He's not the youngest of players, so might think he needs to maximise his earnings at the peak of his career. Getting near to deal-or-no-deal now.

Seemed to spend a lot of time on the subs bench last year. Don't know why. A real talent. Maybe they felt it was either Taouil down the left, or Eremenko through the middle. Didn't have enough good defensive players for both. I'd probably disagree but Mixu did pretty well, so what do I know?

ICTPAISLEY: I agree that side would stand no chance. I was trying to emphasize that there's a lot of talent in that team. It sometimes feels as though we've started from scratch but actually we're well on the way. I totally agree about one-year deals but the club have already stated that's to be the programme from now on. In what circumstance would we not want Gillet, Hayes, Ross etc to not be long-termers? I understand when the player might kibosh the whole thing or players ask for a massive increase in salary but it does seem as though we've put the horse before the cart by stating that's the route we want to go down from the outset.

At present, I guess this is our best team Esson Proctor - Tokely - Gillet - Shinnie Hayes - Tansey (tbc) - Cox - Ross Foran - Tade Not bad, with Sutherland (and Morrison) in reserve. Needs more defenders to shift Proctor to midfield and Gillet to LB (I'm not saying for a second he'd actually be playing CD). I suspect McCann. Also, either Rooney or someone else up front, plus a left midfielder if Foran stays up. Duff useful for his utility factor but I just don't believe he's that interested in being in Inverness.

St Johnstone looked to have made a few good signings from that lot. Hearts not too bad either.

A quite brilliant article on Peat by one (as in, not the only) victim of Peat's ridiculous policy in the pre-Bosman era and his crumbling of Airdrieonians only to switch ship to the unambitious Stenny. A huge barrier to change that smashed every decent proposal that Gordon Smith tried to implement. Scottish football is far better off without him. Achievements? I'm struggling on that one. Chris Honor speaks

Yep, it's the serial offender thing that gets me. I wouldn't support a lout like King no matter what.

8/10 - got Q.1 and Q.4 wrong. #4 I can accept but, gee, I was sure XX won the title after XXXX left. Obviously not.