Sneckboy

Hughes publicly stated during the Christie transfer to Celtic, that ICT wouldn't 'stand in the way' of anybody wanting to move-on and 'better themselves'. We were within our 'rights' to refuse any discussions between another club and our contracted player - but, we allowed talks to take place and the subsequent transfer to go through. I can understand Hughes must have found it galling that he wasn't afforded the same courtesy when Dundee United came calling! I'm convinced he was wanting to go there. Dundee United wouldn't have 'shown their hand' and made an approach without having some degree of certainty that Hughes was interested. They would have 'put out feelers' before contacting ICT, and doing so without 'tapping up'...lets just say that Agent's talk! With permission refused and a hands-off statement issued, DDU turned to Mixu and offered him a contract that would effectively be financially equivalent to a six-year-deal at ICT. This episode has seen Hughes revealing much to the media that should normally be kept in-house, with the Dundee Utd episode being the catalyst for his candour. Thinly veiled references to dynamics behind the scenes, frustration at his budget, disillusionment and a get-out strategy...all very evident. Interesting times ahead! Something not harmonious behind-closed-doors. Heck, we never did get a satisfactory explanation how the coaching guru, Russell Latapy left the club (want's to be a boss in his own right!), soon after replaced by a holiday-maker.

A mixed bag for the Highland League teams. But 2 non-league teams certain to make the 'big' last-32 round when the 12 Premiership clubs enter (+ Hibs, Queen of the South, Rangers and St Mirren). Ties are due on 28th November. N.B. William Hill announced today they'll continue sponsoring the cup for at least 4 more years after this season. A few teams from there I'd fancy us being paired against - to begin our defence of the cup. Formartine/Fort William/Cove Wick/Nairn/Linlithgow Inverurie/Annan Huntly/Montrose/Lothian Thistle

Airdrieonians v Brechin City Albion Rovers v Greenock Morton Ayr United v Dunfermline Athletic Cowdenbeath v Arbroath Dumbarton v Alloa Athletic Elgin City v Raith Rovers Falkirk v Turriff United or Fraserburgh Formartine United v Fort William or Cove Rangers Huntly v Montrose or Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale Inverurie Loco Works v Annan Athletic Peterhead v Livingston Queen's Park v Forfar Athletic Stenhousemuir v Forres Mechanics or East Kilbride Stirling Albion or East Fife v Cumbernauld Colts Stranraer v Buckie Thistle Wick Academy or Nairn County v Linlithgow Rose

Last night: Aberdeenshire Shield - Quarter-finals Garry Wood (Deveronvale 0-2 Formartine United) Martin Bavidge (Turriff United 1-3 Inverurie Loco Works)

"People calling for Hughes out need to calm down" should probably read, "Person calling for Hughes out needs to calm down" !!

Disappointing result and performance last night. I confess, I didn't go to the game - am full of the cold - but watched it on TV. It may be a cliché, but It was a 'good advert' for the Highland derby. It also sounded like a vibrant atmosphere, at times, despite a low crowd of 3,004...which, although not the smallest ever, was still fewer than any league game there's been between the sides at the TCS. (but I'm in no position to criticise that!) Look forward to the next match-up, which is the New Year game (actually, 2nd January) in Inverness. That will be the 50th Highland derby! Such are the vagaries of football that Hughes has won on all 4 of his ICT trips to Dingwall, but has yet to record a victory against County in 4 attempts in Inverness. Caledonian Stadium record v County (all competitions) (W-D-L): Butcher (5-0-1) 83% Paterson (4-2-1) 71% Robbo (2-1-1) 63% Hughes (0-2-2) 25%

According to the SPFL website, it has indeed been moved. Now on Wednesday (28th Oct) at 2pm from Grant Street. I see also, that on Sunday 1st November, we're away to Dunfermline in the Scottish Youth Cup (last 32 stage).

Very good day for the Highland League teams, ensuring a good representation in the 3rd round. The SFA will announce tomorrow when the draw will take place. Thursday lunchtime is likely. This is the round before we enter, so theoretically, unless we're unlucky and are paired with one of our Premiership rivals, we will be playing one of these clubs. In the hat for the 3rd round: Championship Falkirk Greenock Morton Livingston Raith Rovers Alloa Athletic Dumbarton League One Peterhead Ayr United Cowdenbeath Airdrieonians Brechin City Dunfermline Athletic Stranraer Stenhousemuir Albion Rovers Forfar Athletic League Two Queen's Park Elgin City Annan Athletic Stirling Albion or East Fife Arbroath Highland League Wick Academy or Nairn County Buckie Thistle Fort William or Cove Rangers Turriff United or Fraserburgh Huntly Formartine United Inverurie Loco Works Lowland League Cumbernauld Colts Juniors Linlithgow Rose Unresolved Montrose or Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale Forres Mechanics or East Kilbride

Yesterday's results: Annan Athletic 4-1 Berwick Rangers Brora Rangers 1-2 Arbroath Clachnacuddin 1-3 Linlithgow Rose Cumbernauld Colts 2-0 Auchinleck Talbot East Fife 0-0 Stirling Albion East Kilbride 1-1 Forres Mechanics Edinburgh City 1-2 Buckie Thistle Elgin City 1-0 Spartans Formartine United 2-0 Clyde Fort William P-P Cove Rangers Huntly 2-1 East Stirlingshire Inverurie Loco Works 2-1 Edinburgh University Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 1-1 Montrose Nairn County 2-2 Wick Academy Stirling University 0-2 Queen's Park Turriff United P-P Fraserburgh

We lost. It's 3 points dropped.

Yeah, his total over both spells. 10 league goals in that time - a fair few from penalties - and I think a couple of free-kicks. Could/should we expect more goals from open play from Greg? Not a criticism, just looking at his stats...one thing's for sure - he's a better player than he was in his first spell with the club.

Assuming he's picked, this will be Greg Tansey's 100th league appearance for us. He will be the 8th player in our current squad to reach that mark. With the large turnover of players a feature of the modern game, I doubt there are many, if any, other clubs in the Premiership, or indeed the whole SPFL who can boast 8 'century club' players currently on their books.

Looking a little further back, we've actually done quite well... Prior to the Killie game, we'd won 3 and drawn 1 on our immediate return after the last 4 International breaks.

Last month! First game back (after the costly Georgia and Germany defeats) we beat Hearts 2-0.

I see he's a St Kitts & Nevis international! For that reason alone, I want him - it would be another country ticked-off! It's been a while....(and I've been forgetting to 'look'!) I did check after the Astra game, but disappointingly there were no new nationalities - I don't think there have been any others in our home league games this season.

Thanks for putting me right, Scotty! So it's just Butcher and Malpas!

Maurice Malpas has been inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. Not that I place too much credence on these things ('Hall of Fame'), but Malpas, is the type of guy who should be featuring in such lists. A one-club-man, over 700 appearances for Dundee United - he was also a regular for a good while, in the national Scotland team. Post-playing-career management didn't quite suit him and he preferred to be assistant - instead inputting, from the side, his vast experience of the Scottish game - almost in a coaching-style role. Professional to the end, he even had to take the reigns when Terry decided to sit with the Hibs chairman while he (Butcher) was (officially) still our manager! - even though he (Malpas) knew his opponents that day would be his employers the following Monday morning. For what it's worth, there are two other members of the 'Scottish Football Hall of Fame' with Inverness Caledonian Thistle links. (Terry Butcher and John 'Robbo' Robertson).

This resumes on Saturday. Some interesting 'inter-league' match-ups... Formartine United v Clyde Brora Rangers v Arbroath Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Montrose Elgin City v Spartans Huntly v East Stirlingshire Fort William v Cove Rangers Stirling University v Queen’s Park Nairn County v Wick Academy East Kilbride v Forres Mechanics Clachnacuddin v Linlithgow Rose Turriff United v Fraserburgh East Fife v Stirling Albion Annan Athletic v Berwick Rangers Edinburgh City v Buckie Thistle Cumbernauld Colts v Auchinleck Talbot Inverurie Loco Works v Edinburgh University

Also, as well as the Miles Storey, Duncan Shearer and Adam Rooney associations, Inverness CT and Swindon have 3 other past 'common links' (that I can think of) in Lee Cox, Owain Tudur Jones and Maurice Malpas.

Football League Trophy - 2nd round Marley Watkins (Bradford City 1-2 Barnsley)

Agreed - I hope this gets resolved, sooner, rather than later!

Barry Ferguson and Derek Ferguson? I'm probably overlooking an obvious answer!

"No brainer" really for Hughes, IMO. Back living at home with his family and young daughters, a guarantee of employment (for, I'd imagine 2- 3 years) when he's got nothing like that security with his current employer; plus, effectively 'promotion'...with a contract to manage at a bigger club - and for better wages! Let's be honest, - we'd all jump at that opportunity - if in the same boat.

It's far longer than 'virtually a year', now. Foran's made 2 sub appearances since March '14. Nineteen months without a start.

Result in: Drew Hendy's post has been lost, in perhaps a surprise outcome. Lib Dem's take his former Loch Ness seat.