Sneckboy

Then Hampden to Latvia (or wherever)!

A quick look at this and it seems that everybody (except one*) got five of the top-six correct. Motherwell being the team to 'let down' most predictions. *That one person was CELTIC1CALEY3, who accurately predicted all 6 clubs! Will re-visit this at the end of the season and see who was most accurate for the whole final table, in terms of clubs' finishing positions.

It's great to have a reliable spot-kick taker - every faith in Tansey.

Update. Penalties taken for ICT. (Most recent: Greg Tansey (scored) v. Celtic - 19th April 2015) Match penalties Greg Tansey Y Y Y Y Y (100%) James Vincent Y (100%) Richie Foran Y (100%) Nick Ross Y Y X (67%) Aaron Doran Y X (50%) Graeme Shinnie Y X (50%) Penalty shoot-outs Ross Draper Y Y (100%) Aaron Doran Y Y (100%) Nick Ross Y Y (100%) Graeme Shinnie Y Y X (67%) Greg Tansey Y X (50%) Richie Foran X X (0%) Combined total (* = penalty shoot-out) Ross Draper (100%) Y* Y* James Vincent (100%) Y Greg Tansey (86%) Y Y* X* Y Y Y Y Nick Ross (80%) Y Y X Y* Y* Aaron Doran (75%) Y* Y Y* X Graeme Shinnie (60%) Y* Y X Y* X* Richie Foran (33%) X* Y X*

A blessing in the end, you didn't miss much. No spoilers! I've got it recorded on SKY+ and intend to watch it this afternoon - as, yet I've managed to 'avoid' hearing the score.

Meanwhile, back to the 'bread-and-butter'! Tuesday April 21, 2015 Dundee v Inverness Caley Thistle - Gayfield, 6pm

Certainly over a year since he was last in an Inverness jersey. We're all guilty of being fickle and forgetting about him, but he is our captain - Shinnie has only been doing it as deputy! (although it seems permanent)! If Richie doesn't make it back, I'd go for Gary Warren as the permanent captain.

The SFA have confirmed that Draper will be banned for 2 league matches starting from the 25th April. That means he'll miss the Aberdeen game, followed by the one immediately after. Currently, St Johnstone. (unless the 'outstanding' DDUtd game is slotted in-between!)

I, too can't go to the game - but I only have a 'list' comprising one reason: work (the Sunday papers don't deliver themselves) But, seriously, I'm working and will miss out - but, I'm not complaining, as it's my choice to work in the public sector, which often requires shifts at weekends. Forza, fair play - you're like me - disappointed at being unable to attend - but folk have other commitments in life outside of football. gingerjaggie - I take issue with your assertion that only 'hard core' fans will be there. The term 'hard core' and the ridiculous expression (not from you) that some individuals are 'big' fans of such-and-such a club are so divisive - supporting a club is a constant - work and social-life 'constraints' are variable. People that want to support their club will be there when they can.

I genuinely would have dismissed this an April Fool type 'wind up'. It simply beggars belief. I had no idea about this. Looking at the internet, it seems that the most recent 'victims' were Highland League club Formartine United, who had to alter their crest in 2012. Before - After

I make it 19 Home, 19 Away - we have played 16 H & A so far, and have a Home game v Utd TBA. The post-split games are 2 H & 3 A. Cheers - I've just realised that! So we've Dundee United at home twice. They will not be pleased about that!

18 home games and 20 away this season.

These are indeed our confirmed top-six opponents. Good call! The fixtures must surely be announced soon?

Monday April 13, 2015 Inverness Caley Thistle v Celtic - Highland Football Academy, 3pm

Watching back SKYs coverage of the game - another Christie who performed well yesterday was Charlie, in the studio! He comes across very well and 'talks us up' - for example, when the presenter, slightly patronisingly suggested that next week would be 'a great day out' for ICT. Would he have used that expression if it was Dundee United or Aberdeen or even Hearts or Hibs? Maybe my hangover's making me overly sensitive, this morning! Was odd to see Hughes' downbeat demeanour in his post-match interview - "we're better than that" - but it's likely he'd literally just been informed of the severity of Brill's injury and was naturally disappointed and frustrated. Big occasion for young Cammy Mackay - probably best avoid playing him in the Development League game tomorrow - ironically against Celtic....bubble-wrap for Esson, too, this week! Edit: It's Steven McLean refereeing our game on Sunday.

You bought a 'round' after the game?

2012/13 34 20 54 2013/14 33 24 57 2014/15 32 22 (54)

There are two 'Manager of the Year' awards - the PFA (voted for by the professionals) and the SFWA (voted for by the journalists). As the Celtic boss has already indicated he's voted for Hughes, hopefully the votes were cast a few weeks ago before our 'slump' in form! - keeping Yogi in with a chance... Neither award must necessarily go to a Premiership manager, but they nearly always are - although, I wouldn't be surprised if the SFWA award went to Gordon Strachan, which is a legitimate option. The national team manager has been picked once before (Andy Roxburgh) in 1989/90, after guiding Scotland to the Italia '90 World Cup. But, it would be no surprise if Ronny Deila won one or both. Derek McIness took both last season, so he may not get the 'nod' this year - but there's always the possibility of a 'left field' winner like Paul Hartley or even Alan Stubbs!

This season- Minutes per goal: Doran 208 Watkins 317 Christie 505

Same team? Not quite! Danny Williams didn't even get off the bench at the weekend - tonight he started and played the whole match.

I too have heard/read much about the 17-1 voter in favour of the Pyramid from the Highland League clubs. Indeed, if certain forums' facts are correct, it was 16 for, 1 absention (Cove? or Keith?) and 1 against (Buckie?). It seems that there was a measure of duress on the clubs to vote in favour, as otherwise the SFA would have created a new 'North' division (but possibly called the Northern League) for clubs who were interested in advancing to the SPFL. The others would remain in the Highland League. This Pyramid system is very much in its infancy and I'm certain will continue to expand, but I'd like to see it cherry-picking the best of the current systems in operation in other Scottish sports - namely shinty and rugby. I posted on another thread how I would like to see the 42 SPFL teams divided into 3 leagues 'in its current format'. However, ideally, somewhere down-the-line it really has to be regionalised at the lower level. Shinty, although not necessarily a nationwide sport (ie no teams from the Dundee/Edinburgh/Borders area), still has significant geographical distances. I'd take their idea of two 'National' leagues, with regional areas below that. Rugby still operates a 4 league national system, but underneath, they go for North, East and West. I think that (North, West and East) is the way to go, geographically, for a 'full' Pyramid system - and having 2 National Leagues above that...with possibly 14 in each.

Ironically I've just been reading an article (although a few weeks old) about how Ross County are 'the perfect football club' - well run, financially prudent etc etc! Losses of nearly £10,000-a-week are surely not sustainable in the long term! I'll echo the above sentiments regarding their upturn in fortunes on the field, however. Staggering! (pun intended) Comparing their recent run to that of Dundee United (who've 'sold' their season for a healthy balance sheet - and made Jackie Mac a few bob too): On Valentine's morning United had 45 points to County's 12. Since then, County have added 22 points to United's 1 (one) !!! Edit. Link to article http://cooneyandblack.com/blog/hey-folks-ive-found-the-perfect-football-club-the-staggies-have-an-amazing-fan-base-a-progressive-and-outspoken-chairman-a-really-brave-manager-and-a-pr-machine-that-never-falters/

The order of legs for Brora v Edinburgh City has been confirmed after an SFA draw today - Brora have the 2nd leg at home. Saturday 25 April 2015 Edinburgh City v Brora Rangers Saturday 2 May 2015 Brora Rangers v Edinburgh City Saturday 9 May 2015 Brora Rangers/Edinburgh City v Montrose Saturday 16 May 2015 Montrose v Brora Rangers/Edinburgh City

I remember Billy McKay's (now former) boss lining up against us back in division 3. It must have been a dream, as he was at Celtic when we joined the league!

Good! Maybe the new boss will perhaps include Billy in the match-day squad or even give him a first start?!