Sneckboy

Totally agree with the criticism of the ref. I'm inclined to say I don't want him reffing our final against the dons - BUT...we've got an all-time record of 4 wins, 2 draws and no defeats with Beaton reffing our games! Don't tell Jamboskickback - they're in enough meltdown as it is!!!! (so funny reading that forum after Sunday's events)

One unavoidable aspect of our League Cup success is that we're playing these games when league fixtures are scheduled. But with 2 unenforced fixtures to also 'catch up' on, we've now got 4 games needing re-scheduled! Our program is packed between now and the 'split'. I can't see how we can get all our fixtures played. However, It's not our concern - the SPFL will have a problem though! I can't see how they can fit our games in before the split. Saturday 8 February Stranraer (a) Cup 5th round Saturday 15 February Hearts (h) Saturday 22 February St.Johnstone (a) Saturday 1 March Celtic (a) Saturday 8 March (Scottish Cup Quarter-final) Sunday 16 March League Cup Final v Aberdeen (n) Saturday 22 March Partick Thistle (h) Wednesday 26 March Dundee United (a) Saturday 29 March St. Mirren (h) Saturday 5 April Ross County (a) To Play: Ross County (a) Motherwell (a) Hibernian (h) Motherwell (h)

Huge irony that this thread extended to 5 pages! What were we worried about! The quickly re-arranged fixture to accommodate him likely back-fired with the Hearts boys unable to muster much in extra-time! Stevenson didn't even get a start! And then he makes a **** of himself by kicking the ball away in celebration before high-fiving the fans! Sweet justice for an over-rated buffoon!

I remember the Rankin goal, watching from the North Stand - it soared over Alan McGregor's head! Beauty! I think the 'squiggler' CB refers to was accomplished when Rankin was playing for Hibs.

He's made over 100 appearances already at a young age so, for me, was already well on his way to 'ICT legend' status! Agree that a bit of 'bulking up' would be beneficial for him although that's maybe an indictment of modern football where all the players have to be athletes as well as footballers! I suppose the game evolves and changes. People in general have become bigger! Full backs have to be supremely fit nowadays to effectively attack and then track-back. A skillful midfield ball-player in his day, Jimmy Johnstone, for example, was so light-weight in physique he could be blown over, yet even he would find it hard to flourish in our current game without developing physically. Just need to look at Andy Murray in tennis. He's moved onto his current level after realising that he needed a brutal fitness regime to improve his strength and conditioning.

Rangers playing at Ibrox the day before shouldn't be a problem. Hampden regularly hosts both cup semi-finals on consecutive days. I'm expecting Ibrox to be announced as the confirmed venue.

Back to the 'bread & butter'! Very much after the Lord Mayor's Show. Still, with 6 weeks to go, there's League Cup Final places to aim for, for the whole squad.

Penalties taken for ICT. (Last: Ross Draper (scored) v. Hearts 2nd Feb 2014) Aoran Doran (100%) Y Y Greg Tansey (100%) Y Y Ross Draper (100%) Y Y James Vincent (100%) Y Nick Ross (75%) Y Y X Y Billy McKay (73%) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y X X X Y Graeme Shinnie (60%) Y Y Y X X Richie Foran (33%) X X Y

I know I'm replying to you with an 11 hour delay George, but F*** right off, and please post a picture and your address. Don't waste your time or energy on his posts - just ignore them. he's a Celtic supporter and local 'businessman' in Alloa, who trolls football forums. Google his name - there's plenty of stuff, including his address (!) and stories of how he tried to help his local team beat Rangers!

Answered on Semi Final Build-Up Thread. see post #71. Actually, to save you from looking. Warren, Tremarco, McKay, Draper, Foran, Devine and Raven

I'm sure most establishments will allow IHE in - as long as he's got his nappy on.

Quite a few! Players currently on one booking are: Tremarco, Devine, Raven, Foran, Warren, Draper and McKay. I assume a booking for any of these guys would mean missing the final if we get there.

After the January transfer window: Signed up until the end of season 2016-17: • Richie Foran Signed up until the end of season 2015-16: • John Hughes - Manager • Russell Latapy - Assistant Manager • Aaron Doran • Carl Tremarco • Danny Williams • Dean Brill • Ryan Esson Signed up until the end of next season (2014-15): • Greg Tansey • Daniel Devine • Graeme Shinnie • Nick Ross • Marley Watkins • Gary Warren • David Raven • Josh Meekings • Billy McKay • Ryan Christie • Liam Polworth Signed up until the end of this season (2013-14): • Jason Brown • James Vincent • Joe Gorman • Cammy Mackay • Matt Cooper • Ali Sutherland • Conor Pepper • Calum Howarth • Jay Cheyne • Ben Greenhalgh • Nick Draper • Calum Ferguson (On loan at Montrose until end of this season) • Ross Draper • Adam Evans

I've just had a look at his Twitter as well! I think he would be advised to remove the picture that clearly reveals a certain player's home address. Moron.

Said something like not tomorrow but maybe 1 or 2 free agents next week! Strikers currently available as free agents include Nacho Novo, Torbjorn Agdestein, Graham Bayne and Mo Bangura. Take your pick. I wonder if Barry Wilson's interested in re-uniting with Graham Bayne and taking him to Elgin? When Bayne was last a free-agent, Barry managed to persuade him to play a few games for Wick Academy, so there may be a chance!

I'm sure club-captain and fellow-countyman, Richie Foran will have a quiet word in his ear! Players are warned to be careful what they put on 'social media' but you'd think, by now, that people would know not to write anything derogatory about their employer on Facebook or Twitter! I'd put it down to naivety and move on...

I'd been apprehensive of the looming mid-season window fearing the loss of one or more key players like McKay, Vincent or Draper. But it looks like we'll be 'unscathed' - big boost ahead of Sunday. (Mind you, the final day's often when there's most transfer activity!)

Poetic licence?!

It's a bit harsh to say we've bottled our 4 previous attempts to reach a major final. (Although a National competition, the Challenge Cup is not classed as a 'major') Our Scottish Cup semi finals were, at the time, against teams from a higher league. Big spending, top 6, administration bound, Dundee. We were unlucky and deserved a replay... Dunfermline were a top 6 SPL team and although I wasn't at Pittodrie for the replay, was at Hampden and I really thought we were the better team and were going to 'hold on' for a famous win! I'm still working out an 'excuse' for the Hearts game last year! Okay, I'll give you that one! It was certainly there for the taking. We bottled it!

You'd mentioned him a few times, eh. I didn't realise Aberdeen would be willing to loan him to a rival club. Yeah, times running out to get another striker in - if that was the plan. I wonder how active we've been behind the scenes? Yogi's maybe happy with the squad we've got, which is fair enough, provided we don't lose anybody before tomorrow night!

Reminds me of the days of being surrounded in the toilets at school by the big boys and they'd quiz on who you supported, with the 'prize' for a wrong answer being a beating. "Rangers or Celtic?", "Blur or Oasis?", " Famous Five or Secret Seven?"

His 'really good goal' against Killie counts the same as one going in off his backside from 2 yards! To be fair to Tade, he played one season with us and ended it as our top scorer.

Can't see this thread beating 'Butcher Offski'!

That's lovely, thank you. I'll be round in 6 months time after the Edinburgh stag night I'm attending. When the pebble hits your window at 3.30am, open your curtains. They guy outside wearing a traffic cone will be me. Super offer. Two sugars, please, thank you.

Yngwie made a point following the U20 game today (on that thread). It's likely todays young team indicates Yogi's thinking for Sunday. Todays team may likely have been played to 'save' the other guys for Sunday. With only 16 players allowed to be listed, it's a good dilemma but a hard choice for Hughes. But this is where his man-management skills will be key. I can guarantee there will be guys who harboured ambition of playing in the starting 11 who find themselves left out of the match-day squad entirely! Over to you Yogi!