Renegade

A Birmingham fan tweeted it. Could well be nonsense though.

I'd be staggered if Andrew Shinnie came back. Far far far too good for this level.

Just saying roughly (should McNaughton be retained) that we need about six new signings. Does Robbo have the contacts to bring in the players we need? Last time he did well bringing in Barry Wilson and David Bingham, both players he knew personally. You'd imagine recruiting from the lower leagues down south is now a thing of the past. The lower Scottish leagues don't seem to produce the talent anymore. In our history, we've only had two long term managers who've built their own side. Robbo has no track record of doing this from what I can see. In fact, at just under two years, Caley Thistle are the longest time he's ever spent at a club and at Ross County, Hearts and Derry, he was out of the door within a year. Ironically, the one job he spent the longest at (us!) was one where he was headhunted. I wonder why that's such a common denominator.

Whenever you hear of a club making an appointment like this, you always hear the immortal line 'He knows the club' like that is inherently a good thing. I'm not so sure about that. Obviously it depends on the character and the situation, but knowing the club isn't always a positive. Sometimes the best thing is to rid yourself of the old boys network and bring in an outsider with fresh ideas, fresh contacts and a fresh vision for the way ahead. In the long run, the club benefitted massively from Butcher's presence and the way he brought in new hungry players from outside the area, rather Scottish clogger journeymen. Foran on the other hand probably knew the club too well. So yes, 'knowing the club' is one thing but I don't know it's always the positive many claim it to be.

We're in need of a big rebuild. Has Robertson ever actually build a side? As mentioned previously, he did well here with Steve Paterson's team (and added Bingham who he was big friends with) and he doesn't seem to be at teams long enough to truly build his own team. In fact, has he ever been at a club longer than two years? I don't *think* he has.

Robbo seems like a nice enough guy, but this is a bizarre appointment. Hasn't managed a club in five years and even then it was at East Fife where he got the sack and hasn't managed a full time club in a decade. Now yes, he did well here last time but let's not forget what happened - he inherited a very team from Steve Paterson (which was top of the league at the time as I recall) and brought in David Bingham who he was friends with and was also one of the best players in the league. I really wonder if there are some crossed wires here and Robbo is Director of Football or General Manager and someone else is the team manager. That would make far more sense. I'm sure he's an enthusiastic guy around the club but he does seem to have a habit of falling out with people, as well as lasting nowhere long. I won't be at all surprised if he's walked before the season has ended.

Michael Fraser in the Courier today makes some good points and then says he can't understand why John Robertson isn't getting linked with the job. No, just no.

Once claimed having to come to Inverness to for a December fixture 'ruined his Christmas'. The fact he also has the charisma of a rusty bucket is also putting me off this appointment.

And I will hear, though soft you tread above me...

All will be revealed...in time.

Maybe it is...and maybe it isn't.

I'm hearing that the Caley Stadium chimney is billowing white smoke as we speak...

He hasn't been freed. Just injured.

MacRae has always been the standout for me whenever I've watched the U20s. Very quick and skillful, a similar player to Ryan Christie in many ways. Hoban looks a decent enough keeper as well. Don't know so much about Stark but he was on loan at Fort William at one stage as I recall.

Has Cameron Gilchrist been released? I notice he's still on the Wikipedia page but I know that's not always the most reliable source. Fraser Aird is pretty powderpuff I believe (despite his goal against Scotland). I'd like to see us take a punt on Blair Yule though. By many accounts, a very good player.

Jackie McNamara did reasonably enough at Partick Thistle, Dundee United started off alright and then went sour quite quickly. His record at York was terrible. It'd be a no from me, but I doubt he'd be interested anyway.

I kept an eye on them and Sheerin was unsurprisingly favourite throughout with his odds switching from 2-1 to 5-2 fairly regularly. Malpas was pretty stable at 6-1 and Gus MacPherson went from about 6-1 to 10-1 when interest in him cooled. Interestingly though, Yogi Hughes started at around 16-1 and went down to 6-1 the other day.

I noticed McBookie suspended betting the other day. Wonder if they know an announcement is imminent.

I've never understood this dislike for Brian Rice from some fans. A very good coach from what I've been told by people who'd know far better than me.

An Elgin fan on Pie and Bovril says that the club tried to bring Brian Cameron in on trial (I presume at the end of last season) but he couldn't get time off work. A good player whenever I've seen him. Can play all across the midfield, on the wing and up front.

Sheerin won the Development League in 2016. Also, please put some clothes on.

The club got permission to speak to Hartley from Alloa. Doesn't always mean they'll be appointed.

I'm increasingly feeling that it'll be a surprise appointment that hasn't even been mentioned yet.

I've floated the idea of signing him a couple of times before. He was on trial with Doncaster last season and I think can play in defence as well. Good to see us casting the net a little narrower for once.