Renegade

I think there could well be a case to play the 4-4-2 diamond next season. Some like this - Cox Tade---------------------------------------------------Hayes Tansey Foran New Striker I think something like that, could well be the best way to play. Hayes and Tade charging up each wing, with Tansey or Andrew Shinnie sitting behind the front two feeding the ball through. I must also say, that Foran has to be played down the middle next season. He's far superior there than on the wing.

This funds issue, seems to have been something that has only reared its head in past few weeks. Remember first of all, Butcher said that most new signings would be younger, less experienced players due to "financial constraints" and now the Gornell deal has fallen through due to "limited funds". So, what's happened here? Was there money in the first place, and if so, where has it gone?

I can't see it being a 3PM game. Rangers haven't an away game in the traditional Saturday kick off time for years.

Now would that striker be one coming in to be a trialist or one who Butcher has found and signing thus meaning that he believes that he is good enough that no trial is needed? It seems to hint the latter if it says that the already trialled Kerrea Gilbert is due to come in at the same time. I have to agree with many others though, now that Rooney has gone, a striker (especially one of good goal scoring capabilities) is not just needed - it is essential.

Even though Aldred and Meekings have now signed, I'd still like to see a big, dominating and experienced centre half to come in.

The Caley Curse strikes again!

Did that Paul Miller get on for Elgin? He's probably the biggest man I've ever seen!

I think if Doran comes back, Butcher should make a move for Christian Nade as well. Then we could have that legendary front line of Doran, Foran, Tade and Nade!

No sign of Tade getting a game yet?

I seem to recollect an ICT team of some form getting beat by Wick a few years ago. I might be wrong, but I have a feeling Zander Sutherland was playing. Also, even though they were no longer in the Highland League at that time, Peterhead beat ICT 2-1 (I think) in a friendly before the start of the 2008/09 season. It was one of Christie's last games in charge.

Ah well, that's two strikers essentially lost in a day! But, life goes on.

He did play there a bit in the second half of the season in the First Division. I seem to recollect thinking at the time that he played a lot better there than in any of the other positions he's played.

Has Gornell signing for Shrewsbury actually been confirmed anywhere? I looked, and the closest I can find is that he is in "talks" with them. I can't find anything set in stone.

If he doesn't want to be here, then maybe it's a good things he ain't coming. There's no need to sign passengers.

It looks as if Gornell had given Butcher his word that he would sign, as soon as he is able to. It won't look good on his part if he eventually goes elsewhere.

I wonder though if Butcher and the rest of the club will be disappointed on turning down that ?100,000. Was that really worth it for his performances after Christmas? As I said though, life goes on.

Ah well, he's gone to a far bigger club (and certainly one bigger than Crawley!) and good for him. I for one like many others are disappointed that he didn't stay put, but life goes on, Caley Thistle go on and I am confident that he will be comfortably replaced. And I look forward to that right now.

I reckon that could be a good deal actually. He looked like he had something against Clach. Could this also mean that Butcher has given up on Kevin McCann?

Yeah, I've noticed that as well. The folk that go there really have the most bizarre sense of humour. I saw the other day, the people came running to put the covers on the court as it had started raining and the umpire then gets wheeled off, while still sitting in his seat. From the sounds of things, some of the people there were literally rolling in the aisles!

IIRC it was some stomach related illness. I'm sure I read that somewhere.

Might be Graeme Shinnie. He was quite ill at the end of last season.

The last two goals are his - And here's a failed bicycle kick -

Meekings was 14. Gavin Morrison was 12.

It was a good game for a friendly. Nick Ross, Graeme Shinnie and Greg Tansey were the pick of the bunch for me, the latter in particular looked very good on the ball - sort of a taller Ian Black kind of player. The number 2 Gilbert is not the tallest of defenders but look strong and composed and seemed to be pretty quick going forward as well. Andrew Shinnie was alright but his shooting was a bit wayward, but he didn't have a bad game and Meekings looked quite a good centre half. A pretty tall, stocky bloke who also seemed to be fairly pacey for a centre half. Wouldn't mind having another look at him. The ICT number 18 who came on in the second half, but wasn't named on the team sheet too looked a right handful. I must say though, the Man of the Match for me has to be the Clach keeper Steven Dunn. He pulled off some great saves to keep the score respectable, but Clach looked a decent team from what I could see.

I presume so.