starchief

Seems Terry's picked players for a chance to say goodbye.

Um...you do realise that the SNP wants far less UK involvement in overseas military conflicts, so they'd be even less military spending in an independent Scotland? Think Austria, not a small UK.

Rankin was told publicly he wasn't wanted, then Brew had his mind changed by performances. Unfortunately, John had already sold his house and wasn't for turning.

We don't know how close that decision was. What seems to have happened: Munro is told he wants to be kept around 3 weeks ago Butcher is scathing about the Aberdeen performance and says firing players will be easier Munro is told he can leave So, isn't is just as likely that Butcher made his decision to terminate over a poor game, rather than a contribution over the whole season, during which Munro has played as a full-back and as a central defender. A mainstay, chipping in with a decent amount of goals, of potentially ICT's best ever season. Possibly, it's the letting go that's the hasty decision, that Butcher might well repent in leisure. Takes a big man to say he's made a mistake but, as I've said before, I'd fancy Aberdeen, St J or some other competitor to come in for a proven SPL defender. Let's keep him. I sincerely doubt we'll find better.

Terry Butcher in the Daily Record: "We'll have a look again at Grant Munro's situation and he certainly didn't do himself any harm tonight. "Every player here is playing for their future, contracted or not. "Grant responded in the right way, the correct way and a magnificent way."

Iowa (Arabic for, strangely enough, aye!)

AV? Well, it wouldn't be my first choice...

Coz we're best at a counter-attacking style. Hence, the long away run and the losses when we try to dominate games against comparable opposition.

Missed it. What was he saying? The interviewer asked if he would reconsider offering some of them contracts. He said he'd probably think about it over a couple of glasses of wine and to ask him then. That's the jist of it. Probably a joke but I seriously hope he does. I do think we need experience and I seriously doubt we'd get better than Grant. Just look at Craigan at Motherwell. His experienced around much younger players was a big part in their success. Lennon was a lot more gracious than I expected. Respect for that. It would have been easy (and wrong) to blame the ref for not giving a penalty - even though I didn't think it was.

Whew! That was just, well, beautiful! Come on Tel. Gotta reconsider Munro surely. Otherwise, he's going to Aberdeen or some other club that'll be competing with us. He's not just SFL1 quality.

Tuffy Stratford - Innes - Hogg - Gillet Hayes - Cox - Duff - Doran Foran - Odhiambo A team of entirely Butcher's signings (I know there's a couple not included). Looks pretty decent to me but one or two things stick out: RB is not good enough, although we had McCann for a while (Tokely's needed) Central defence is made up of experience, not rookies (so Munro useful) Centre-mid is just not strong enough (Duncan or another experienced def mid required) Attack, even considering Blumanshtein, McDonald or Sanchez, is shocking - Foran doesn't often even play that position now I don't believe Munro going is anything to do with finances. As the club says, it's a footballing matter. What exactly that means, I'm not sure. I could guess but it probably puts the onus on one or another, so I'd rather not.

Not here, there and everywhere but only for certain players, with caveats about relegation or minimum release fees. I don't see how Black's been sidelined. He's even captained Hearts. And he was willing to stay if ICT had made him an offer. Likewise Rankin. Oh, and there's a C - keep your best players, build a foundation and add to them with left-field signings. These may be a Hayes or a Stratford. I don't see that chucking out the building blocks will make the house stronger - not when they are still in their prime, like Munro especially.

I see Burton O'Brien has been released. Before some starting talking of cast-offs, he was released as Falkirk couldn't afford him. I've no idea if we could either but worth a look in my opinion.

It wasn't so long ago (3 weeks or so?) that Munro had been told he was wanted. Wonder what changed? Maybe couldn't come to an agreement, re: finances? I thought he was worth an extra piece of cash but maybe we'll have to hear from Grant to see if it's partly his decision. Don't get me wrong, I highly doubt it but let's see...

Munro? Wow! Duncan I can live with, even though I disagree - manager probably wants to change the style of the team. Like most, I think he should still be here for a year but could give Tel the benefit of the doubt. But Munro? How different can a central defender be? With the greatest respect, this is by far bigger news than Duncan. I'd expect Duncan to get a top SFL1 club but Munro could well go to Aberdeen. I fear for the future with this decision.

Esson Tokely - Munro - Hogg - Gillet Duncan - Cox Ross - Duff - Doran Rooney Going back to our counter-attacking style. I've put a bit more grit in the attacking midfield, as they have to do their fair share of tracking back for this game. Biggest danger is their left-wing, so got Tokely and Ross to put the brakes on Izaguirre and Commons. Duff will be making a nuisance of himself with Kayal further up the pitch, with Duncan and Cox dampening down any forward runs. It gives us a chance but it's going to be tough.

I suspect so. I'd imagine Proctor might be next. Shame if he does but hasn't been a regular (often with injury) for quite a while. Most upsetting thing will be I don't think he's ever played in his most natural position, defensive mid. Not sure if Dunfermline need Duncan. I've always thought Mason was pretty good there (although not seen him since Accies). More likely a Falkirk, Accies, Dundee or Partick. He could be real captain material for them, driving them on to SFL1 glory, as he's proved he can do with ICT.

To be honest, I thought he'd been dead for years. All we got were easily imitated audio tapes and videos that didn't quite look genuine. Well done but doubt there'll be a shred of difference. At least it might stop the racists and easily-led accusing Obama of being a terrorist.

Bet it's bloody Brian Kerr! He'd be as welcome as Brewster was when he came back.

Although I think Duff is a talented utility player, he's not a defensive mid, hence why I think we got the best reactions when Duncan and Duff teamed up. I'd be disappointed if it was one or the other. Proctor or Cox are more similar players than Duff. Not sure Duncan will go to RC. Guess it depends on how settled he is in the area. Could see an ambitious First Division club going for him, like Dundee or Hamilton.

Sheez, Renegade, give Tel a break! You've been forecasting his doom ever since he's joined, despite the incredible success he's had. He's got the vast majority of decisions right, hence why he amazingly got ICT promoted with a load of youths and almost got us into the top six, with such a low budget and inexperienced players. And he's done that by going with his players. I wish too that Russell had got another year but I'm not going to turn against Butcher for making a decision he thinks is right. Doesn't stop me wishing Duncan all the best though. Caley Mad In Berks: I think McBain and Golabek's time had come. I'm sure, rather than warming the bench, these post-35 players would prefer a last day on the pitch. Tokely's career might be extended by moving to centre-back but possibly both of them have another couple of seasons. It'll be sad but so was Christie or Stewart leaving. It's not fair to either ICT or the players to have them play past their best. I don't think Duncan had reached that point however. Nevertheless, onwards and upwards...

Confirmed: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/04/30/departing-inverness-star-russell-duncan-i-want-chance-to-thank-fans-they-have-been-brilliant-during-my-10-years-at-club-86908-23096795/ I know with some, there's always the temptation to boo a former player but I hope it doesn't happen here. I know not everyone agrees with my assessment of his early career but when ICT started to slide, Duncan really stood up to be counted. Probably became the de facto captain then, as the actual one, Munro, didn't seem to have that leadership personality. He deserved another contract. Not the most gifted of players but when the going gets tough, I hope ICT aren't short of a blunt-nosed midfielder prepared to just do his non-eye-catching job and snuff out that surging midfielder.

Thing about both McBain and Duncan is they only really came on to a game in the last year of Brewster. I would have been desperate to get rid of both of them before that. Both of those players I thought were amongst our best in that doomed season. Bit of a risk getting rid of a solid player who seems to inspire the squad. Obviously not in Butcher's plans but really that means replacing him with another experienced player. Don't think we can go with Duff, Cox, Ross and Proctor as the main midfield men. None of them lead like Duncan. I'd have given him another season.

I was thinking that myself. A pay-as-you-play or stringent medical might be in order. Young, as well, might be a pretty useful utility player. Wouldn't want to break the bank on him but with potentially so few players, someone that can play reasonably well, if not a world-beater, might come in handy in the depths of next season.

Rated by who? A commodity (not a very nice name for a human being) is only worth what someone is willing to pay. First, let's see if anyone is willing to pay that for Davidson. also, who have we got close to international status? For reasons other than football, not Foran (who's too old for record-breaking transfers unfortunately) or Esson (same brackets). There's only really Hayes currently (Rooney soon out of contract, Ross still developing into what he will become). Had he played and wowed most games this season, perhaps we could have been looking at some gold. Unfortunately, it's been an injury-ravaged season. Can't see anyone else worth much unfortunately.