Sneckboy

Dundee 5-0 Dumbarton Quarter-finals: Rangers v Dundee (Sat 5th March, 12.30pm) Ross County v Dundee United (Sat 5th March, 3pm) Celtic v Morton (Sun 6th March, 12pm) Hibernian v Inverness Caley Thistle (Sun 6th March, 2pm)

Philip Roberts yesterday signed for Irish club Sligo Rovers. He's been without a team since being released by Dundee. http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3909/airtricity-premier-division/2016/02/22/20610292/former-arsenal-youth-philip-roberts-joins-sligo-rovers

Game tomorrow at Airdrie's ground v Motherwell (2pm). Just had a look at the table and am surprised to see us second-bottom - last time I looked we were in 7th! However, It's extremely tight between 6-16th place. http://spfl.co.uk/development-league/dev-fixtures/ Certainly, It's been a lot better, as hoped for, in this campaign. Last season we were last with just 23 points. As the table shows, we've already got 22 points, with 11 fixtures still to play. But, as always, it's questionable how 'important' actual results are in this league. Incidentally, it was good to see one of the Development boys on the bench at Parkhead - Blair MacLennan...obviously he was unlikely to be 'used' but still a great experience for the guy - and I'd imagine, hugely motivational!

Heart-breaking! He's actually getting more of a 'look in' than I expected this season, after signing. But, he bagged a couple of goals last week in Celtic's Development League game and is proving too good to 'over look'. I think he'll establish himself as a first-team pick next season.

Ross County v Dundee United is the least likely tie to be televised. Yet, ironically, it's the 'stands out tie' of the round! But Premiership v Premiership comes below Premiership v Championship when the Ugly Sisters are sniffing about!

Yeah, I was going to say the same! It was indeed 14/1 back then! This must be worth a 'flutter' though! - as it's very unusual to see such odds between teams in the same league... The biggest odds I've seen 'happening' in a Scottish fixture was with Clyde beating Celtic in the cup a few years after our 'shock' (the Roy Kean debut match!!!). But, strangely (and happily) it's not flagged-up as often as our 3-1 win, as one of the great shocks, although Clyde were 16/1 on the day, and had even been widely available at 18/1 earlier in the week. The biggest 'over-turned' odds I've seen in football was when an apparently utterly dismal Northern Ireland side over-turned an apparently world-beating England team in Belfast, 1-0, thanks to a late winner from Healy! That was certainly 18/1 on the night but could have been 'got' at 25/1 in earlier markets. Anybody know of any bigger 'odds defying' shocks, particularly in football? Buster Douglas beating Tyson was widely reputed (most commonly quoted odds) to have been 42/1 !!!

Today's Inverness Courier suggests that David Raven will miss the game tomorrow, through injury. The latest SFA suspension list indicates that Ross Draper will miss our league game at Hearts 1st March. (officially, the first league game after 29th February) Incidentally, from that same list, I noticed I'd made an error by previously stating (on another thread) that Andrea Mutombo would be suspended for our quarter-final cup tie. I wrongly thought he'd 'picked' up two bookings in the competition, but happily, it's just one - so he's eligible for the Hibs game.

I notice too, that they've scored in all but 1 of their 15 home games this season - only failing to net against Inverness CT! http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=3207&teamTabs=results

It's gone now for Dundee United! (in terms of survival!) I can see no way back for them - relegation! Have checked the 'stats' and no Scottish club has ever been relegated and still won the Cup in the same season! Wigan Athletic were the first team to do it in England - and that was just a few seasons ago - but it's never happened in Scotland... However, It wouldn't be a shock to see them turning-over County in Dingwall, but I just can't see them then going and winning another two games to lift the Cup. Hibernian in the Cup? We've played them just once before... in the 2008 Cup (Also at Easter Road, but that was 'only' in the last 32). This is much bigger! We lost 3-0 that day! BBC report http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7181084.stm Although not mentioned in the report, I've a recollection that Marius Niculae missed a penalty? Or am I confusing that with another game? Anyway, I think we can beat them, BUT...I'd happily take a replay - they've a dreadful record 'up here'!

A wee stat: Iain Vigurs equalising goal was the 100th goal between the clubs, all-time. (now 102 goals) Leading scorer is wee Billy with 6. Adam Rooney 'closing-in' with 5. (2 for Inverness; 3 for Aberdeen) I had a Hard-Drive failure last week, losing 2 months of data - so am 're-building', as-and-when. Another harsh, painful lesson though... Anyway, the 'North Derby' stats are now updated - here's the full list of 102 goals form anybody interested! Some 'blasts-from-the-past' here! Billy McKay 6 Barry Nicholson 5 Adam Rooney 5 2 Inverness 3 Aberdeen Darren Mackie 4 Own Goal 4 Ross Tokely Roman Golobart Kenny Gillet David Raven Billy Dodds 3 Roy McBain 3 Graham Bayne 3 Steve Lovell 3 Peter Pawlett 3 Niall McGinn 3 Derek Adams 2 Lee Miller 2 Gary McDonald 2 Richie Foran 2 Scott Vernon 2 Gregory Tade 2 Josh Magennis 2 Barry Robson 2 Jonny Hayes 2 1 Inverness 1 Aberdeen Ash Taylor 2 Greg Tansey 2 Bobby Mann 1 Cato Guntveit 1 Arild Stavrum 1 Craig Brewster 1 Noel Whelan 1 Jamie Smith 1 Stevie Crawford 1 Barry Wilson 1 John Rankin 1 Dennis Wyness 1 Derek Young 1 Sone Aluko 1 Chris Maguire 1 Russell Duncan 1 Own Goal 1 Dave Bus Andy Barrowman 1 Charlie Mulgrew 1 Grant Munro 1 Andrius Velicka 1 Ryan Jack 1 Nick Blackman 1 Robert Milsom 1 Rory Fallon 1 Roman Golobart 1 Cammy Smith 1 Gary Warren 1 Andrew Shinnie 1 Danny Williams 1 Graeme Shinnie 1 Josh Meekings 1 Marley Watkins 1 Shay Logan 1 Edward Ofere 1 Miles Storey 1 Ryan Christie 1 Liam Polworth 1 Carl Tremarco 1 Iain Vigurs 1 updated 15 February 2016

LOL! Don't go there! Next week, I'd ordinarily be hoping Dumbarton beat Dundee, as I like to see the 'underdog' coming through, plus it would be another Premiership club eliminated and out-of-our-way! BUT, on this occasion, I want Dundee to win, as I genuinely think they could go to Ibrox and give Rangers real problems...certainly more so than Dumbarton. Rangers v Dundee has a lot more appeal than Rangers v Dumbarton. I wonder if the TV companies will wait for the outcome before 'committing themselves'? The quarter-finals games aren't far-off (just 17 days away), so hopefully we'll hear something soon - fans have to make plans!

I agree! They must have made an error on Sportsound. He's clearly eligible, as he featured for Hibs last night - and he obviously isn't cup-tied. Granted, he's on one booking for the competition, but he'd need another yellow card to be suspended. So, unless we hear otherwise, we should assume Stokes is available for the quarter-final. I'm in agreement with Yngwie's anticipated TV games...I think it'll be our match plus Rangers v Dundee/Dumbarton. Certainly, one of the Glasgow games will be switched anyway, for policing and logistical reasons - so will almost certainly be a Sunday TV game.

Hibernian 1-0 Hearts Kilmarnock 1-2 Rangers (Tuesday 23rd Feb - 19:45) Dundee v Dumbarton Quarter-finals (currently 5th March - 15:00): Celtic v Morton Hibernian v Inverness Caley Thistle Rangers v Dundee or Dumbarton Ross County v Dundee United

Adam Rooney had a very good return also - 16 goals from 19 penalties. (I think he's currently on 14 from 14 for Aberdeen!) Can't find a figure for Paul Sheerin, unfortunately! Thought I'd stumbled upon an old article that would reveal his stats, but to no avail - however, it was interesting to read that he 'learned his trade' from Matt Le Tissier during his spell at Southampton! http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/championship/1535451/Sheerin-I-owe-it-all-to-Le-Tissier.html

F/T Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1-3 St. Mirren

Penalties taken for ICT. (Most recent: Greg Tansey (scored) v. Aberdeen - 15th February 2016) Match penalties Greg Tansey Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (100%) James Vincent Y (100%) Richie Foran Y (100%) Aaron Doran Y X (50%) Penalty shoot-outs Ross Draper Y Y (100%) Aaron Doran Y Y (100%) Iain Vigurs Y (100%) Greg Tansey Y X (50%) Richie Foran X X (0%) Combined total (* = penalty shoot-out) Ross Draper (100%) Y* Y* James Vincent (100%) Y Iain Vigurs (100%) Y* Greg Tansey (91%) Y Y* X* Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Aaron Doran (75%) Y* Y Y* X Richie Foran (33%) X* Y X*

Points attained at the 33 game split, since its incorporation in 2000/01: There are many ways of interpreting the data! But, after 15 years of results, the averages are probably the 'safest' bet.... 40 points is the average of the team just-missing-out...which also 'tallies' with 41 being the fewest points total of any team 'getting in'. So 41 has to be the absolute minimum target. But, the average Top 6 place requires 44 points - and, although this was attained once before with the team still missing out, this season's total requirement will almost certainly be less than that. with there being so many clubs in the bunch, taking points of each other every week - It should be considerably lower than 44. That said, It's simply got to be the 44 point target - and we'll be safely in the elite. So, as IHE hypothesised, we should be targeting 15 points! We're on 29 now and 15 more would see us on 44 and retaining our place as a Top 6 club.

Gabby: I can see how you think that - due to there always being an equal chance of a 'head' or a 'tail' with each individual spin. And yes, it is 50:50 for each spin....but, over a series of spins, the odds change to take-into-account all possible outcomes. A short example to show this is - using just 2 random draws: Assuming, Home = Heads = H Travelling = Tails = T All possibilities are: H-H = 1 in 4 chance (25%) H-T = 1 in 4 chance (25%) T-H = 1 in 4 chance (25%) T-T = 1 in 4 chance (25%) All outcomes are equally likely, a 1 in 4 chance (25%) In 2 random draws, you would expect to get 1 home and 1 away (in any order). And indeed, that would happen most often - on average 50% of the time (the middle two 'options' from above). However, there's the also chance of both being at Home for both ties (25%) ...or requiring to Travel for both ties (25%). In essence, regardless of how many draws are conducted, the 50/50 split of Home and Away ties will always be the most frequent outcome - but its percentage likelihood reduces as the number of draws increases. There's obviously far more chance of getting an 'even split' in 2 draws than in 1000 draws (500 heads and 500 tails). As in the 'Celtic example', over 20 draws, a 10-10 split only has a 17.6% chance of happening - but is still the most likely outcome!

That's precisely the figure I got, Mantis. My table is rounding to 1 decimal place, so the 0.02 shows as 0.0% here.

Jason Brown is the latest player profiled in the SPFL Wonderkid series: SPFL Wonderkid #17 - Jason Brown Friday 12th February 2016 Brown, 19, is the latest of a conveyor belt of young Scottish talent coming from Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He currently plays for the development squad, primarily in the centre of midfield, and the club certainly have faith in Brown, who has captained the team on a number of occasions this season. In addition to being given the role of skipper, he signed a one-year deal with Caley Thistle last June alongside fellow under-20 team-mates Cameron MacKay, Ali Sutherland and Calum Howarth. After signing his new contract and ahead of Inverness’ Scottish Cup triumph, Jason Tweeted: “Delighted to extend my contract at @ICTFC - looking forward to next season already and of course the big one this weekend #ICTFC” Brown is yet to play at the senior level for Inverness, but in May 2014, got his first call-up to the Caley Thistle senior squad for a home game against Dundee United which ended 1-1. He has since made 15 appearances on the bench. As the end of the season approaches, it could be the perfect time for Brown to look to make his first senior appearance. It also fits with John Hughes’ plan at the beginning of the season when he said: “They’re in their first year as a professional and you’ll find it will take them two or three months to find their level in the first-team.” Brown will certainly be hoping that’s the case and no doubt will be looking to emulate his friend and former team-mate Ryan Christie, who after making his debut at 18 went on to make 56 appearances and score nine goals. There should be no doubt though that on his current trajectory Jason Brown's, name will be ringing around the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in no time.

One of Aberdeen's goals was scored by Sam Robertson - who I've just learned is the son of ICT's first ever goal scorer - Wilson Robertson!

I genuinely feel our tie - (regardless whether it's Hibs or Hearts) is more 'worthy' of TV coverage than Celtic v Morton. A Kilmarnock v Dundee tie wouldn't be favoured, but Rangers v Dundee - a cert! It'll probably be two ties from the 4 games being televised and switched from the 'traditional' 3pm Saturday kick-off. A lot of 'probably' and 'feel' from me there - I really haven't answered your question, RiG!!

Replay dates: (Tuesday 16th Feb - 19:45) Hibernian v Hearts Kilmarnock v Rangers (Tuesday 23rd Feb - 19:45) Dundee v Dumbarton The quarter-finals are still currently on 5th March at 3pm - but some of the ties will 'move' for TV...but no news yet! I imagine the BBC/SKY are awaiting the outcome of the replays. Quarter-finals (currently 5th March - 15:00): Celtic v Morton Hibernian or Hearts v Inverness Caley Thistle (holders!) Kilmarnock or Rangers v Dundee or Dumbarton Ross County v Dundee United

Peterhead's Shane Sutherland has landed the League One award for Player of the Month for January.

Next fixture is on Friday (12th Feb) away to Aberdeen. 2pm on the artificial pitch at Banks o' Dee's Spain Park.