Sneckboy

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

Game today (Tues 2nd Feb) Inverness CT v Dunfermline 1.30pm Highland Football Academy GAME POSTPONED!!

Conflicting reports this morning, indeed! BBC stating he's signed but as Renegade says, the Courier's report within the past hour suggests he hasn't! But, as a 'free agent' he can be signed outwith the window. I'll 'go with' the Courier on this one until anything is reported otherwise from the Club.

Just brilliant for County! As we know, a League Cup Final is a huge deal - let's hope they enjoy the significant media attraction as we did, and take then Cup to the Highlands!

Kevin McCann has returned from playing in Singapore, and signed with Falkirk. He's still only 28.

Lee Cox, who has been with Stevenage (on-loan from Plymouth) has now agreed to make the move permanent. Tony Reguero is a fee agent - leaving Hibernian by mutual consent, after failing to make any first-team appearances.

Here's the Courier article with Meekings response to Hughes' criticism. http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Josh-Meekings-left-frustrated-by-John-Hughes-criticism-of-Inverness-injured-players-28012016.htm

Yeah, I 'make it' that, too, Mantis; 2010 being the only year County have reached the quarter-finals - and obviously, they made the Final that year. We lost in the last-16 that season 3-0 at Kilmarnock. And indeed, the other years County have 'bettered' us in the Scottish Cup, we lost at our first hurdle, as you suggested. (Season ending): (1995) ICT 1-2 Queen of the South (1999) ICT 1-2 Livingston (2008) Hibernian 3-0 ICT

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 • Liam Polworth • Lewis Horner • Calum Ferguson • Cammy Mackay • Nat Wedderburn • Jordan Roberts • Owain Fon Williams • Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo • Iain Vigurs • Alex Fisher On loan until the end of this season (2015-16): • Miles Storey ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Development Squad players available for this season (2015-16): • Calum Howarth • Jason Brown • Jaime Wilson • Kane Hull • Struan McArthur • Blair MacLennan • Chris Brown • Stephen Rennie • Chris Blackett • Daniel Hoban (goalkeeper) • Alasdair Stark • Andrew Macrae • Cameron Gilchrist

Ross County are performing well in the cups and have a fantastic draw in the last 16 at home to Linlithgow Rose. And, obviously it's a big day for County this weekend with Celtic at Hampden, but they're 'going well' in the league, too. Plus, on a lesser scale, and probably overlooked by many, they've progressed to the Scottish Youth Cup Semi-Finals - a tournament, traditionally the preserve of the 'Old Firm' (both of whom are already out this season!) They're certainly doing something right, over-the-bridge....even it is through Uncle Roy's chequebook! However, the following table suggests that County are still very much 'In Our Shadows'! They've never managed to do the clean-sweep on us - i.e. bettering us in all three competitions in the same season - although, we've done it to them on a number of occasions! The Challenge Cup is excluded as we weren't always competing in it at the same time. There's significant danger ahead - County could do the Highland Treble!

I believe you're right, Renegade - that Tarmo Kink actually got a medal?! And cheers to 12th Man, for 'flagging this up'...it's an outrage! I guess that in the aftermath of the elation at our incredible triumph, I'd never really thought about doing a break-down of the individual contributions to it, nor who received medals. But, reflecting now, the SFA specification regarding medal awards are totally unjust! Blimey, even Cammy Mackay and Lewis Horner will have Scottish Cup Winners' medals! (with due respect) That's a farce! Should unused subs in the Final really get one? Anyway, assuming that's the case, using Soccerway's database, here are the contributions to our cup success in minutes-played and goals scored (and 'keepers clean-sheets). Red = no medal.

Funnily enough, I was reading about that just a few days ago in an interview he did with the Herald, after extending his new deal. He stated that signing until 2019 would give him the chance to make it '3rd time lucky on a personal level'. It seems he missed out on a winners medal on top of not getting a League cup runners-up medal - but the club had applied on his behalf on both occasions, but were denied. He mentioned that the 2 bookings rule (leading to a ban) is harsh on defenders who tend to 'take the most bookings'. GARY WARREN, the Inverness Caley Thistle captain, is determined to use his bumper new deal to help drive last season's ground-breaking Ladbrokes Premiership team to fresh success. The Highlanders' defensive warrior sounded the rallying cry after committing his future to the club through to summer 2019. Warren has twice suffered shattering heartache after being punished with automatic bans for both of the club's historic cup final appearances under manager John Hughes. He danced in celebration at Hampden Park last May as the team triumphed in the Scottish Cup final against Falkirk, but the day was tinged with personal sadness after taking a costly second booking of the tournament in the semi-final against Celtic. It had been a similar story just over a year earlier when a red card in the League Cup semi-final victory over Hearts denied the 31-year-old a place in the team ultimately beaten on penalty kicks by Aberdeen. On each occasion, the club requested a medal for Warren in recognition of the huge part he had played in the campaign, but both times were denied. But after agreeing to the three-and-a-half year extension at the weekend, the talented Bristolian made it clear he is hungry to renew the club's tilt for major honours after last season's European qualification and silverware success. Warren, who joined from Newport County under Terry Butcher in summer 2012, has embraced life in the north of Scotland with relish, settling with his family and establishing himself as a near ever-present first team mainstay. "It's brilliant to have signed up – I'm very pleased," Warren said. "This is a club where I've enjoyed my time and I'm in my fourth season now. We've done some special things during my time here, but I want to make sure this club kicks on by maintaining its status in this league and improving every season. We're the Scottish Cup holders and we want to win it again. We're through to the next round of the Scottish Cup and I hope it is third time lucky for me on a personal level. It's unfortunate, but these things happen. I'm a defender who makes tackles and takes bookings. The manager has been brilliant since I came here. He has developed me as a person and a player. When I first started with Inverness I was more renowned as a header and a kicker but he has brought out the passing style in my game which is what we are all striving for." Warren, understandably, led calls for the SFA to rethink the rule that brings a cup final suspension on the strength of just two yellow cards in the competition. As yet, those pleas have fallen on deaf ears, but Warren is certain his – and the team's – glory day will come again.

Dundee 3-1 Falkirk Forfar Athletic 0-1 (aet) Linlithgow Rose Last -16 - (ties are on Saturday 6th February at 3pm, unless stated): Rangers v Kilmarnock (12.30pm) 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)

English League One Marley Watkins (Bradford City 0-1 Barnsley)

Good to see Richie Foran and Ali Sutherland getting game-time! Edit: F/T Kilmarnock 3-2 Inverness Caley Thistle

Good point! I'm not sure why there's so much 'excitement' about him! Not sure what he's done to warrant such expectation. Got to remember he played in the same Aldershot team as Dani Lopez and was considered by the 'Shot fans as a poorer player than our now departed striker. Widely available to read on Aldershot fans' forum. However, happily, football doesn't work like that - Roberts could yet be a good player for us.

We're behind 2-1 at H/T today at Kilmarnock. It was 2-0, but a Calum Howarth header has us back in it. No idea of our line-up. https://twitter.com/OfficialKillie?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

I don't understand the rationale behind 'winter breaks'. We simply can't predict when the worst of the winter weather's going to be. We're currently in the middle of winter and the temperature today in Inverness is a balmy 12 C ! If the weather's favourable, you can play your game - if a pitch is frozen or snowbound, it'll be postponed - and you'll then get effectively a two-week 'break' by default! But aside from all that, why are the SPFL planning a winter break for the Premiership clubs only? If it can be assumed the 'break' is due to the likelihood of bad weather, then why are the Championship, League One and League Two clubs expected to play? These Leagues actually have fewer fixtures to fulfil anyway- and the majority of their clubs don't have under soil heating! Yet they're expected to 'soldier on' while the Premiership clubs, who have more 'chance' of getting games 'on', sit idle! For me, it just defies logic!!