Sneckboy

DD's comment still makes me laugh - even after looking at it for the twentieth time! Yet, Lenny Henry is a 'Sir' - and has yet to make me smile once!

Doofers Dad deserves a knighthood for that caption!!!

Wonder what the outcome of the first draw would have been?! But, we're left with this - Quarter-finals (currently 5th March): Celtic v Morton Hibernian or Hearts v Inverness Caley Thistle (holders) Kilmarnock or Rangers v Dundee or Dumbarton Ross County v Dundee United After the Dons visit next Monday, we'll then have 4 away games in-a-row... Celtic (away) Dundee (away) Hearts (away) Hibernian or Hearts (away) - Scottish Cup

Celtic don't get drawn at home very much! If they are away AGAIN it'll be the most remarkable of statistical anomalies. But, as always, 50/50 ! However, it's already is bizarre...18 away ties in the last 20 - of ties that could be home/away in the Scottish Cup. One would have to toss a series of 20 coins literally thousands of times to produce a 18/2 differential. Pascal's triangle! I'm not for a moment saying it's rigged against Celtic, but, if it was anyone else, that suspicion would be widely cast.

Andre Mutombo will miss our quarter-final, I assume...as he's been booked twice now.

Tonight's draw could produce a series of local derbies - apart from Edinburgh - but they've still a replay to contend! Obviously, all this is a very long-shot! Assuming Dundee and Rangers win their replays, which is quite conceivable, we could get: Inverness CT v Ross County Celtic v Rangers Dundee v Dundee United Hearts or Hibernian v Morton Won't happen, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one derby match come out... But this draw should have been done yesterday on BBC after the EK-Celtic game!

Heart of Midlothian 2-2 Hibernian East Kilbride 0-2 Celtic Quarter-final draw - Monday at 6.30pm Sky Sports News; Teams in the hat: Premiership Dundee United Inverness Caley Thistle (holders) Ross County Celtic (Kilmarnock or Rangers) (Dundee or Dumbarton) (Hibernian or Hearts) Championship Morton (Kilmarnock or Rangers) (Dundee or Dumbarton) (Hibernian or Hearts)

Rangers 0-0 Kilmarnock Annan Athletic 1-4 Greenock Morton Dumbarton 0-0 Dundee Dundee United 1-0 Partick Thistle Motherwell 1-2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Ross County 4-2 Linlithgow Rose Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian (Sunday 7th at 12.30pm) East Kilbride v Celtic (Sunday 7th at 3pm - at Airdrie) Quarter-final draw - Monday at 6.30pm Sky Sports News; Teams in the hat (so far): Premiership Dundee United Inverness Caley Thistle (holders) Ross County (Kilmarnock or Rangers) (Dundee or Dumbarton) Championship Morton (Kilmarnock or Rangers) (Dundee or Dumbarton)

Rangers 0-0 Kilmarnock Annan Athletic v Greenock Morton Dumbarton v Dundee Dundee United v Partick Thistle Motherwell v Inverness Caledonian Thistle Ross County v Linlithgow Rose Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian (Sunday 7th at 12.30pm) East Kilbride v Celtic (Sunday 7th at 3pm - at Airdrie) Quarter-final draw - Monday at 6.30pm Sky Sports News; Teams in the hat: Premiership (Kilmarnock or Rangers) Championship (Kilmarnock or Rangers)

Yngwie 1-0 Sneckboy

I didn't foresee that coming. An Ofere strike partnership with 'wee Billy' is intriguing - they didn't, obviously, play together at Inverness. It could well be productive, but I feel that Dundee United have too much to do to survive the drop!

Signed until the end of season (2018-19): • Gary Warren • Ross Draper Signed until the end of season (2017-18): • John Hughes - Manager • Brian Rice - Assistant Manager • Ryan Esson Signed until the end of next season (2016-17): • Richie Foran • Greg Tansey • Josh Meekings • Carl Tremarco Signed until the end of this season (2015-16): • Dean Brill • Aaron Doran • Danny Williams • James Vincent • David Raven • Danny Devine • Ali Sutherland (on loan at Brora Rangers) • Liam Polworth • Lewis Horner • Calum Ferguson • Cammy Mackay • Nat Wedderburn • Jordan Roberts • Owain Fon Williams • Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo • Iain Vigurs • Alex Fisher • Ryan Williams • Liam Hughes On loan until the end of this season (2015-16): • Miles Storey (from Swindon Town) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Development Squad players available for this season (2015-16): • Calum Howarth • Jason Brown • Jaime Wilson • Kane Hull (on loan at Fort William) • Struan McArthur • Blair MacLennan • Chris Brown • Stephen Rennie (on loan at Fort William) • Chris Blackett • Daniel Hoban (goalkeeper) • Alasdair Stark • Andrew Macrae • Cameron Gilchrist

But, he had to 'convince' Tansey to stay! 'Convince' suggests there were other choices. Not sure what they could have been! ...and a player who 'wants to stay with club' would need NOT NEED any 'convincing'!

Why do folk assume the ICT statement 'puts this to bed'? A case of believing what you want to read? Is the dialogue from Pittodrie less worthy? The ICT statement is using 'woolly language' to deflect this - its intention being to close the matter. But, why should ICT's 'reaction' be more believable than that being stated from Aberdeen? Derek McIness has been quoted as saying, "We wanted Greg and Greg was keen to come here but that's between the player and Inverness. I spoke to John Hughes this morning and we have acted professionally, honestly and with integrity throughout this and he agrees with that. So there's absolutely no problem from John's point of view." Why aren't folk believing that? Although it was blowing a gale that day, I'm fairly sure the managers weren't in-touch to discuss the weather! If Tansey had indicated at the first instance that he was 'happy' to stay at Inverness, this wouldn't have dragged-on until Monday night, nor required the clubs' managers to get-in-touch. Tansey is 27 now, and football is a short career - if he wasn't attracted by doubling or trebling his wages, I'd be very surprised - crikey, he's turned us down with a contract offer before - he's got 'form' here! At this stage of his career, of course he's going to go for it! Anyway: Fictional Scenario: Tam Gregsie is a shelf-stacker with Tesco at Inshes. He’s good at his job, and ambitious; To the extent that he has moved jobs before, but is now back for a second spell in Tesco - having split his spells with a stint at Sainsbury, whom he joined after rejecting a contract extension with Tesco a few years ago. Not that it matters - the shoppers are fickle and just love whoever works there without ever casting a critical eye! In the modern competitive world of grocery retail, such workers are now considered to be past-their-sell-by-date (no pun intended) by their mid-thirties...so when ASDA came calling on a head-hunting mission, 27-year-old Gregsie was naturally interested - he'd be at least doubling his wages in a job in the exact same role. ASDA wanted him to start immediately; and Tesco were all but resigned to losing one of their leading workers - so-much-so that they immediately took on two new employees in the role that Tam would be vacating. Coincidentally, on the same day, SDA sent out two employees on work experience! However, a clause in Tam's contract stipulated that hw must work two-weeks notice.... This ‘hurdle’ proved problematic and the proposed job-transfer collapsed. However, ASDA may still be interested in revisiting the Tam Gregsie option when the retail stores conduct their annual summer recruitment campaigns. Meanwhile, Tesco’s store boss took Tam into the office and explained the situation before asking him what he was going to do now - would he quit Tesco and go on the dole? No, of course not - Tam needs an income - and without having any other option, Tam stated he will, for now, be continuing to work for Tesco - and with a shrug of the shoulders stated, “yeah, boss, I’m happy to remain here (for now)” Incidentally, Tam has since sacked his Union Rep. The ICT statement (but parodied): Tesco are pleased to announce that shelf-stacker, Tam Gregsie will be available for Saturday’s stock take and beyond. ASDA made their official approach to us on Saturday evening in relation to obtaining references regarding a job offer for Tam Gregsie. This was followed by a period of activity, culminating in their final request on Monday afternoon. This was an unwelcome and late approach for a very popular and influential worker within our store. However, after meeting with Tam following the final approach, we are delighted to be assured by him that he is “happy” in Tesco and that he has elected to remain at Inshes Retail Park - and we thank Tam for his integrity, honesty and loyalty to the store. The club then informed ASDA that their final request had not been successful. In the period after ASDA making official contact with us, we were of course determined to act in the best interest of Tam and our store and we are confident that the outcome will be warmly received by our shoppers. Conclusion: The ICT wording is constructed to assume 'all is well' - wording is key (agree with DD on this) - For example, Camelot could present you with a large cheque for getting 5 numders in the National Lottery - then, interview you afterwards. You could say, “yes I’m happy with getting 5 numbers in the lottery - but obviously I’d rather have got 6!” - This could easily be reported by Camelot as stating “Mr X didn’t hit the jackpot, but he’s just told us that he’s happy getting 5 numbers” Which is totally true! But ignores the fact that he’d rather have had 6. In this context, I’ve no doubt Greg Tansey IS happy at Inverness, but that doesn’t mean he’d not rather be at Aberdeen!

That's a little disingenuous! The run to the League Cup Final in 2014 was/is an historic achievement and one of the indelible marks in this club's history. The extraordinary, 9-man, last-gasp comeback equaliser and eventual victory against Hearts in Edinburgh is one of the most memorable games for many fans. Check back at the Matchday Threads for that game, the Final and the build up - it was a huge deal (You actually used the word 'proud' in one such thread). To now dismiss those occasions and the achievement of our players, as 'mickey mouse', smacks of petty jealousy at Ross County.

Now that it's confirmed, I wish him well on his Inverness career! I note from my saddo stats that he won't be a complete stranger at the Caledonian Stadium. He'll know Nat Wedderburn - they played almost a full season in the same Corby Town team in 2012/13 - in the English 'level 6' (Conference North - now called the National League North). A familiar face, particularly far away from home can really help! Good luck, Liam!

Signed until the end of season (2018-19): • Gary Warren • Ross Draper Signed until the end of season (2017-18): • John Hughes - Manager • Brian Rice - Assistant Manager • Ryan Esson Signed until the end of next season (2016-17): • Richie Foran • Greg Tansey • Josh Meekings Signed until the end of this season (2015-16): • Dean Brill • Aaron Doran • Danny Williams • Carl Tremarco • James Vincent • David Raven • Danny Devine • Ali Sutherland (on loan at Brora Rangers) • Liam Polworth • Lewis Horner • Calum Ferguson • Cammy Mackay • Nat Wedderburn • Jordan Roberts • Owain Fon Williams • Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo • Iain Vigurs • Alex Fisher • Ryan Williams • Liam Hughes On loan until the end of this season (2015-16): • Miles Storey (from Swindon Town) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Development Squad players available for this season (2015-16): • Calum Howarth • Jason Brown • Jaime Wilson • Kane Hull (on loan at Fort William) • Struan McArthur • Blair MacLennan • Chris Brown • Stephen Rennie (on loan at Fort William) • Chris Blackett • Daniel Hoban (goalkeeper) • Alasdair Stark • Andrew Macrae • Cameron Gilchrist

There are parallels with the Hughes episode earlier in the season. JH was denied permission to speak to Dundee United - but that's all it was - an opportunity to 'see what they had to offer'. He hadn't cleared-out his desk. But, Tansey's situation is more difficult. If reports are to be believed, he and his agent were at Pittodrie discussing terms...he may even have said his 'goodbyes' to his Inverness colleagues - it puts him in an unenviable position and if this were politics, a 'lame duck'. It's like reading the paper on your lunch-break and seeing your lottery numbers have come up, then immediately discharging the fire-extinguisher all over your boss and his office before heading home with a defiant GIRFUY...only to discover you'd not put your ticket on! Obviously a ridiculous example, but when you've 'shown your hand' it's very difficult to integrate back in, as if nothing's happened.

No surprise, dreadful weather across the country...

I 'read' it was 20% due to Stevenage. (edit: I see their manager was sacked yesterday - surely nothing to do with this!) ie £40,000 to go to Stevenage... Perhaps we played 'hard ball' and suggested the wording of Tansey's release clause indicated that we were to receive a clear £200,000 in the event of a transfer - meaning we perhaps asked Aberdeen to up their bid to £240,000. Rumours (again) that they did indeed offer over the 'clause' (have seen it written they offered £220,000) but a compromise couldn't be reached. Sounds a good story - but I stress, it's speculation! However, this episode could open a can of worms with regard to future 'release clauses' in player contracts. Also rumoured is that both clubs have/will be complaining to the SFA! Did the Dons 'tap up' Tansey? Did ICT breach the player's contract! Another poster on some forum, somewhere, speculated that Tansey and his agent are seeking legal advice on annulling the contract (as it was breached), thus becoming a free-agent, before heading along to join-up at Pittodrie! Tin-hat stuff? Maybe? I tend not to comment on anything that's rumour, but I've been sucked-in by this fascinating saga! But, the bottom line is, neither club have released any official statements regarding the situation - and they may not!

The morning-after-the-night-before! Although the dust certainly hasn't settled, this appears to be the state of play - but what do I know?! As yesterday proved, contracts can have clauses, of which only the player, club and agent are aware! Have left Liam Hughes out until his signing is confirmed from a legitimate source. Signed until the end of season (2018-19): • Gary Warren • Ross Draper Signed until the end of season (2017-18): • John Hughes - Manager • Brian Rice - Assistant Manager • Ryan Esson Signed until the end of next season (2016-17): • Richie Foran • Greg Tansey • Josh Meekings Signed until the end of this season (2015-16): • Dean Brill • Aaron Doran • Danny Williams • Carl Tremarco • James Vincent • David Raven • Danny Devine • Ali Sutherland (on loan at Brora Rangers) • Liam Polworth • Lewis Horner • Calum Ferguson • Cammy Mackay • Nat Wedderburn • Jordan Roberts • Owain Fon Williams • Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo • Iain Vigurs • Alex Fisher • Ryan Williams On loan until the end of this season (2015-16): • Miles Storey (from Swindon Town) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Development Squad players available for this season (2015-16): • Calum Howarth • Jason Brown • Jaime Wilson • Kane Hull (on loan at Fort William) • Struan McArthur • Blair MacLennan • Chris Brown • Stephen Rennie (on loan at Fort William) • Chris Blackett • Daniel Hoban (goalkeeper) • Alasdair Stark • Andrew Macrae • Cameron Gilchrist

Don't think we've heard the last of this! The Inverness Courier are reporting that Tansey did meet with the Pittodrie club and agreed to join - before the deal collapsed. Awkward!!! Edit. Link http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Caley-Thistle-block-Tansey-transfer-to-Aberdeen-and-sign-midfielder-Williams-02022016.htm