Beatonio

I remember that day too mate, watching him even then you knew he was going to be a good find - I mind thinking what an awesome first touch he's got. Loved his attitude on the park, maybe sometimes a bit too petulant for his own good with many unnecessary bookings, but we needed somebody with his mentality and skill. Great awareness, skill, passing and vision. His overall technical ability was impeccable even if at times his temper wasn't. Hearts have got themselves an absolute bargain here, I hope for their sake and for Ian's that they don't waste him - we know what they're like when it comes to team selection... Good luck Ian, I'm sure you'll do a grand job, and with you playing at a non-highland club, it will mean you can qualify for the national team :) I believe you can achieve that. Thanks for everything!

Lady Madonna and myself just arrived back home from the first leg yesterday, and what a first leg it was! Starting after full time on Saturday, the 9 marchers headed towards Sundays finish line in Aberfoyle, 54 miles away. Walking through the night with only a couple of break stops after a long day took it's toll, and Wumba pulled out 26 miles in, just a few miles short of the West Highland Way. Everybody else made it through to daybreak and thankfully, contrary to the forecast, the weather was fantastic on Sunday. Lady Madonna and Slater's partner, Heather, were next to fall at Drumgoyne at around 7.30. Having completed 37 miles, fatigue got the better of them and they joined Wumba and CaleyD on the support vehicle. Gringo, suffering from a dodgy heel and feeling extremely tired, gave it another 5 miles before calling it a day. The remaining 5 walkers made it to the finish line. Yompa, Gringo Jnr and myself were in the pub before 12.30, with Dunco and Slater about 2pm. A great effort from all involved, not forgetting CaleyD, who had very little sleep while running around for us all night! Well done to everyone, keep it up, I only wish I could have stayed on for the week but sadly have used up all of my holidays for our trip in August! Thanks to everyone for your support!

No mate, it can be anyone, I was just meaning if anyone from this forum was playing it'd be nice if you wore your ICT top. It'd make a great change for our colours to outnumber the Old Firm, Hibs and Hearts! Thanks to those who have shown an interest. If you have a team finalised, send me the team name and captains' name as soon as you can. Cheers!

Me plus 3 from Edinburgh, joining the Highland Marchers coming from the north. An early start, but a good head start beverage-wise means we'll all be in great singing voice. Bring it on.

Hey guys, I am looking for teams for a 5-a-side football tournament at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh! Sunday 26th July 2009 ?50 per team At least 5 players and up to 5 subs All profit goes to The Tartan March Fundraising Committee - www.tartanmarch.com ? in support of the Tartan Army Children's Charity and Scottish Huntington's Disease Association. A buffet will be provided and there will be trophies for the winner/runner-up. If you wish to enter a team, or just help out on the day, please drop me an email with your team's name and team captain's details, or give me a call. And if you're entering a team, please wear ICT colours! I don't want to be the only one! Martin Beaton - [email protected] - 07835069044 Thanks, hope you can join us!

And there's an 'a' in 'realised'...

Bench

For anyone who was at the above fixture I have a number of t-shirts to sell, in sizes L,XL and XXL. Either black or orange. Going on the Tartan Army Childrens' Charity website for ?15, I'm happy selling them at ?8. I was supposed to sell them in the Dam square on the day of the game but they never arrived in time for me to take them over... now I'm stuck with them! All proceeds will go to the TACC, and you can find pictures of the t-shirts here. If you fancy one, let me know, I can arrange delivery in Edinburgh or Inverness, and postage for elsewhere.

I'm taking the day off work tomorrow. The pub next door to me in Musselburgh is full of Gers fans, staring sadly into their pints. What a beautiful picture it makes. Cheerio Falkirk, bring on Killie and Saints! WE ARE STAYING UP!

Er, Tokely? SPL 'Bad Boys' list Bamba - Hibernian - 9 yellows 1 red Pascali - Killie - 11 yellows 0 reds Tokely - Inverness 10 yellows 0 red's He's a player that would look less out of place in a wrestling ring. And Imrie isn't a 'hardman', just a sulky wee child. I'd rather go for more technically gifted players over someone who'll kick the living crepe out of everybody.

If you can't get a lift, it's cheap enough on the train. Leave Forres: 11:56 Arrive Inverness: 12:25 Plenty of time for pints at the Innes Depart Inverness: 18:10 Arrive Forres: 18:37. Return for 2 adults - ?14.80 Pretty reasonable, surely?

Hi guys, I'm looking for 2 tickets to see Bob Dylan at the above venue on the 3rd May. Nothing available from official sellers, finding a few lovely gentlemen who are willing to sell a pair for approx ?340. No thanks. If anybody has tickets, or knows where I can get tickets, or knows Bob, or someone who knows Bob... anything... please get in touch. Much obliged.

John, Once you have finished with Agent Johndo and his interrogation, I have sent you a private message. Don't worry, nothing sinister! Cheers

Rig is probably implying that Mahonio's excuse is soooooooooooo lame. Enjoy the game Mahonio, hope you can make it more often.

Roberto di Matteo is the favourite to get the job. Zola says he does not want to leave The Hammers, but that'd probably change when he sees the cash. Quite harsh I think, didn't get a lot of time in the job. Doesn't bother me though, gives Everton a good chance of catching them... Guus Hiddink and Avram Grant (!!!!) on the shortlist, according to Sky Sports news.

Apparently he's getting the boot tomorrow morning, after only 3 months in the job. Click here

Despite being a fan of Everton, I concede that they are doing fantastic this season, and today's result has put them right back into the title chase. One of their main problems though is consistency, and Man Utd are on a fantastic run of form. Will Liverpool catch them? Are Chelsea out of the race? Can we write off Villa?! The latest odds from Ladbrokes are; Man Utd - 2/7 Liverpool - 9/2 Chelsea - 8/1 Aston Villa - 25/1 Arsenal - 80/1 Also, the relegation battle is looking very interesting, closer than I've seen it in years. Anybody below the top 8 could go down! I reckon it'll be West Brom, Stoke and Middlesbrough. Ladbrokes say: West Brom - 1/3 Stoke - 4/7 Boro - 2/1 Newcastle - 2/1 Hull - 5/2 Portsmouth - 5/2 Blackburn - 6/1 Bolton - 6/1 And another thing, what was Bosingwa thinking today? He'll be in deep trouble I think after that Karate kick on Benayoun...

Indeed I do Adam. Indeed I do... Apology accepted

Johndo, I agree with what you say regarding the attitude of the players, a fantastic performance and one that was worthy of a point at least. If we can keep that up, we'll stay up. However, Imrie getting two smileys? TWO? I reckon he was fantastic today, very dangerous coming forward, creative... and what a goal!! He was, for me, our best player, followed closely by Esson and Mihadjuks. Great to see the players at the end applauding the fans too. At least they appreciate us...

Yompa, Slater, Lady Madonna and myself are heading from my flat in Musselburgh to the game, via a wee jaunt up Arthur's Seat for a warm up. Where is everybody going pre/post match for a beverage? Diggers? Station Bar? Tynecastle Arms? Plenty of choice...

:018: I think I'll be saying never.

No way Stephen Pressley. An experienced player, yes, but unproven as a manager and that's not what we need to save us from the drop. Not sure if taking Robbo back would be a positive thing. And definately not Barry Wilson yet. The worst thing the board can do just now is rush into a decision.

Oh, happy days... Hopefully the team's confidence will be high now for the game at Tynie. I only wish this had happened sooner, I have a feeling the main reason Ian Black is leaving is Brewster, he may have stayed if Brew had been sacked ages ago. What now then? Who are the main candidates for the job?

Good Evening all! I am sure most of you are aware of a charity walk that a group of ICT supporters do every year, from the penultimate fixture to the last, namely 'The Highland March'. This idea was devised around 7 years ago by Steve Taylor (A.K.A 'Yompa' - formerly 'interthenet') in the Market Bar and has since gone from strength to strength, raising thousands of pounds for a number of good causes. Well, at the end of last season, while we were walking from Falkirk back to TCS, I had a 'wee' idea. Having done 3 Highland Marches to date, I wondered how I could challenge myself that little bit more, so I looked at the Scotland fixtures for the current qualification campaign. Away to Norway, 19th August (FIFA have since changed this date to the 12th). Home to Macedonia, 5th September. Perfect. I then managed to recruit 3 like-minded ICT-supporting idiots to come along with me, Laura Mitchell (A.K.A Lady Madonna), Calum Slater and Michael Laidlaw. The route we take through Norway and the U.K is completely dependant on ferries. Unfortunately, the Bergen to Newcastle ferry link has recently been cancelled, so we are trying to find alternatives. Once we know how and when we are getting across the North Sea, we'll finalise a route. We already have a number of potentials mapped out, and are expecting to walk at least 450 miles over the 3 weeks. Our accomodation along the way will consist of mountain bothies and a bit of camping. There are areas in Norway which are totally isolated, the Hardangervidda national park area for example, so our tents will definately be used! We have already had two meetings at Hampden with the SFA's Marketing Manager, Colin Banks. He was very enthusiastic about this idea and is willing to help wherever he can, which is fantastic. He has offered to donate items for charity auctions, and most importantly to use his contacts in the media to get our idea in the press, which will obviously raise awareness of the walk and get people on to our website to donate. He even spoke to David Tanner at Sky Sports, and we are hoping to have a televised interview with them around the time of the Iceland home tie in April. We should also have a wee bit in the match programme too, which is all exciting stuff! Now, the most important part, the charities. We agreed with Colin that we will help the SFA raise money for it's two nominated charities - The Tartan Army Children's Charity (www.tartanarmychildrenscharity.org.uk) and The Scottish Huntingtons Association (www.hdscotland.org). I'm sure you will agree they are both very worthy causes and we are honoured to help them reach their fundraising goals. All money we raise will be split 50/50 between the two. Between now and next August, with the help of the SFA and the two charities, we will be hosting a number of fundraising events in the Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow areas. Nothing set in stone as of yet, but we have permission for gigs at the Ironworks and Hootananny's, and we are also arranging two football competitions at the Bught for the summer, one for U-16's, one for adults. Also, for anybody travelling with the Tartan Army to the Netherlands in late March 2009, I am trying to arrange a 'Tartan Party' in Amsterdam with Tennents' Lager, which should be fun... especially after we beat the Dutch. So, that's what we are doing in a nutshell. If you would like any more information, or can offer assistance of any sort, please contact me. I'd love to hear any comments or suggestions! We also have a website, please visit us at www.tartanmarch.com, where you can leave a comment or make a donation. This is where you can find any info about upcoming charity events, and find out how we are getting on. We have only recently set up the website and started taking donations, it still needs a wee bit of work but we're getting there!!! You can contact me personally via email ([email protected]) or phone (07835069044). I know I shouldn't really be giving my number out here, but I'm not yet online at my new flat in Edinburgh, so it's the best way to contact me just now! Last, but certainly not least, a huge THANK YOU to our very own CaleyD. Donald has been very supportive in getting the website up and running and has also volunteered to be our support driver for the 3 weeks in Norway and the U.K., which is a huge sacrifice to make. What a bloke! Thanks also to Yompa for inspiring this charity walk with the Highland March, and for his words of encouragement and support. I hope to see you, and the new 'Gringo', at some training hikes very soon! Martin Beaton

Domestically, I can't stand either side of the Old Firm, but I like to see both doing well in Europe. The same goes for any English club, barring Chelsea and Arsenal...