Sneckboy

Not sure what your 'getting at' but clearly Billy's ratio of goals-per-game was far better back in September, last year. Indeed, when looked at as hard facts, McKay has only scored 6 goals for ICT in his last 32 games! A very indifferent start, a prolific couple of seasons but currently, by his standards, on a bit of a drought! Hence, why I think It's such an amazingly coincidental stat!

I didn't actually answer my own question - I rate Billy, he's undoubtedly got an eye for goal. He's quite streaky, in-that, when he's amongst the goals, he often goes on a 'run'. That's possibly true of many goal-grabbers, though, who thrive when their confidence is high. Rooney, as I mentioned in the original post, seems to have an instinct for notching. He's certainly not the quickest, but has a knack of being in the right place to bury rebounds or half-chances. it's a tough call, but, and despite Rooney probably being even more experienced after his spell in England, I'm going for McKay (sorry, CaleyD, Mckay)....only because some of Rooney's goal-haul came in Division 1. But I'm biased towards the current team!

No, No, No! (subliminal messaging ) It'll reach 1,999 posts and when we're all-together again, we can party (like it's 1999)!

A bit quiet on the forum due to the International break - aside from Indy referendum thread. Thought I'd highlight a strange, quirky statistic I've just stumbled upon while updating a database. Billy McKay and Adam Rooney have got identical over-all records at ICT! Rooney, for me was a poaching machine, and I was sad to see him go - and gutted when the Dons snapped him up! But Billy has been prolific, in patches, for us over the past couple of seasons, although is often found 'wanting' at penalty-kicks and one-on-ones with the 'keeper. If you we picking a team with just one striker, with Rooney and McKay in your squad, who would you pick? Billy McKay - League games for ICT 103 goals 45 Adam Rooney - League games for ICT 103 goals 44 Billy McKay - All ICT appearances 120 goals 53 Adam Rooney - All ICT appearances 120 goals 53

Tonight's the night that may see Christie taking a further significant stride in his impressive early career. Scotland U21s are in Slovakia for a qualifying game. They then move-on and finish the campaign on Monday, away to Luxembourg. It would be terrific if Ryan could get 'capped' in one (or both) of these fixtures, but whatever transpires, being away with the squad for these two matches will be invaluable experience for him.

slump

A few scorers from tonight, North of Scotland Cup - Semi-final Stuart Soane (Forres Mechanics 2-4 Elgin City) Shane Sutherland (Forres Mechanics 2-4 Elgin City) Dennis Wyness (Forres Mechanics 2-4 Elgin City) Highland League Adam McLeod (Strathspey Thistle 3-3 Fort William) Andrew MacAskill (Turriff United 2-0 Cove Rangers) Martin Bavidge (Inverurie Loco Works 1-1 Nairn County)

Last night, North of Scotland Cup - Semi-final Zander Sutherland (Wick Academy 1-2 Brora Rangers)

cap

It's Aberdeen (away) for the team today. 6pm at Peterhead.

That's an 'old' link, thankfully!

Any number of 'sneck watering-holes would fit that criterion, CB,.....as a result of the merger! Couldn't resist it! I am only joking, of course! Talking of 'criterion', I used to love the Crit bar in Baron Taylor Street. I like to remember it fondly and refuse to see the ghastly Lauders as a 'continuation' of the Crit. Now that (Lauders) is one pub that few ICT fans are seen in - it's always filled with Rangers/Celtic 'fans'! Yuk. It stinks. Literally and metaphorically! On a serious note, what's the transfer window ruling for loan players? I know free-agents can be signed anytime, but do any loan signings have to be made today?

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Bryan Prunty has left Dumbarton after 4 years and signed for Airdrieonians. http://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=1501 I've just read that Inverness born-and-bred Mark McCulloch has officially called-time on his long career and retired from football at the age of 39. He was a dependable, key player for us during the lower league years.

Did you notice the way Scarlet managed to get a reference to his pension cunningly into the match thread?! As for the crowd figure - the plot thickens.... The 3,800 figure would be good, relative to the opposition. But 2,800 wouldn't be great. Thankfully, the 'footballing public' won't realise and will spare us the usual slagging for our crowd sizes. Actually, there might still be a few comments regarding 'only' 3,800 for a home game for the leaders of Scotland's Premiership.

Yeah, that's a good point rocky1.

Actually feeling optimistic about this tie. I can't find any prices yet, but I'm certain Rangers will start off as slight favourites - but I prefer that! One slight downside - but shouldn't be too problematic, is that Hughes will have to tinker a bit with the team selection, as Shinnie and Draper (and Foran) are suspended for this game.

The 3,830 will, for all intents and purposes, be the 'official' figure. It'll certainly help our end of season average! It would appear somebody has made a simple 'typo' - but the figure is now 'out there' and won't be getting changed. All the media outlets will have the 3,830 figure, I'm sure. I know that bookies often refer to the BBC stats as 'defining' when it comes to settling bets on things like goal-times so what they publish seems to be accepted. I've just checked the likes of Soccerway and Soccerbase and they've got the 3,830 and significantly, so have the SPFL on their website! We've certainly scored with that! A simple mistake, not blatant massaging of the figures that so often happens at Celtic Park!

The attendance figure of 3,830 actually fares favourably when compared to our most recent crowds v. Kilmarnock. Since our return to the 'SPL', we've played them 6 times here, before today: 3,735 3,348 3,060 3,012 2,529 2,948

I think that's the answer! But, it's not strictly true as at the time the question was posted, Brora had, in fact, conceded one! But, as it was a penalty, Alex will surely claim the answer as 'haven't yet conceded a goal from open play'!

I'm reluctant to qualify your response with further comment - but I must clear-up one or two points. There's just something particularly 'low' about egg throwing during peaceful, political protest. It's akin to spitting in football. Even Alex Salmond has condemned it - and I commend him for not trying to make political capital out of his 'death threat', which was an isolated, stupid remark by an individual on Twitter. I'm perplexed as to how you reason that I 'think it's ok' that MPs fiddled their expenses. I absolutely did not infer that. If anything, it made me extremely angry. I was pointing-out that Jim Murphy wasn't the only MP 'at it'. SNP members were also guilty. The child abuse scandal is not relevant to the Scottish Independence debate. I'll pre-empt your response, "100s of kids are abused and that's not relevant - and YOU THINK IT'S OKAY?!" No. That's not what I'm saying. Similarly, the Iraq war. (And the Second World War). Obviously, very relevant in an historical context - but 'ammunition' for a Scottish Referendum debate? Yes, Jim Murphy voted for the Iraq invasion, whilst the 5 SNP MPs voted against. In my book, the SNP can claim the moral-high-ground on that one, in not wanting anything to do with a war unsanctioned by the UN. But surely, the Iraq war has no cogency in a deliberations about the shape, prosperity and viability of a future independent Scotland? I fail to see the issue with Jim Murphy working behind the scenes in trying to preserve the Union. That's his job - it's politics. It can be a 'dirty' business at times and most politicians can be accused of being 'economical with the truth'. Indeed, only recently (Nov 2012) Alex Salmond had to apologise to the Scottish Parliament for misleading statements. But this ballot is not about Alex Salmond or Jim Murphy. Yes, they're big players representing the different sides of the argument - but they, as individuals, are not representative of YES Scotland and Better Together, respectively. It's far bigger than either of these two politicians. Anybody who thinks Scotland would be a better place as an independent state but is reluctant to vote YES because they 'don't like Salmond' is missing the bigger picture. (and vice-versa, of course). Trying to dish-the-dirt on single member of the opposing camp is surely just that - missing the point. This isn't simply about the here-and-now, and a like or dislike of the current political incumbents...It's about the future. Our future.

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No politician deserves to have an egg thrown at them, whether they're Jim Murphy, David Cameron, Nick Griffin or Alex Salmond. I always think it reflects badly on the side of the thrower. It's a defeatist last-resort to remain relevant in an argument they feel they're losing! Not quite sure what your 'beef' is here. Link 1 is from October 2012 regarding the MP's expenses scandal. No party came out of this 'smelling of roses' - MP's from all parties were culpable. Link 2 is now 11 years old. It's past being of any relevance to the current debate. Link 3. Isn't that his job to fight to keep the Union together? Sounds like you've a personal agenda against the man! While you've been busy scouring links for his character assassination, you surely chose to miss this one! http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-labour-mp-jim-murphy-2867079 "Scottish Labour MP Jim Murphy one of the first to rescue injured people at tragic helicopter crash at Glasgow pub"

I would hope not. In his position, he needs us more than we need him! He's battling-back to overcome a serious injury, which at his career stage, (and football age) may see him struggle to recapture his form of old. And, To be honest, his best days are already behind him. Any player who goes off to play in the backwater of India (in football terms) in the 'prime' of their career surely hasn't lived up to their early career potential. If a player like that is holding-us-to-ransom, I'd say 'no thanks'! Edit: Libero 'beat' me by a minute in posting - what I've said mirrors his views entirely regarding Gow!

If Butcher were to be given the job, and knowing what football's like with it's sense of timing and fate, his first game in charge would inevitably be the Highland derby in Inverness! Personally, after Butcher dismissal by Hibs and the manner of their demise, I assumed that Butcher would be unlikely to be a candidate for managerial jobs for some time - particularly in Scotland. I'm not paying much attention to the Bookies odds - it's one area where they don't have any real idea and it's usually just speculation. Just look at our appointment of Hughes! Indeed, their 'sack race' odds are just guess-work. They don't know what's going on behind the scenes at clubs. Just recently on this forum there was indignation at the bookies having Hughes as 3rd favourite manager for the next sacking - Derek Adams was considered 2nd SAFEST at the time!!! There's more to his sacking than just results I'm sure. I would welcome Terry back into Scottish football, even at our local rivals. He's undeniably a bigger 'name' than Danny Lennon. But Terry needs to remember that he wouldn't be getting the house at Abriachan this time - and Dingwall is a far cry from Loch Ness side!