CELTIC1CALEY3

When it was indicated that we needed to bring in someone to hold the ball up, I immediately thought of Big Jordan. Not Joe but our previous employee who not to everyone's liking presumably is local and has one year left in him although dropping from Roy's inflated wages might be a problem if he can find an alternative.

C'est bon! Let's hope we hear more soon about existing players from last season listed on the main website e.g. Billy, Joe, Jordan and Spoony.

Billy is almost certainly going to be signed as a player too, I hope.

With training almost certainly starting next week - the first pre-season friendly is just 16 days away - we can but hope tomorrow is when we find out about our squad. Failing that, someone has to follow the convoy out of the Stadium on Monday and then hide behind a tree and report their findings here.

As we eagerly await news of signings and re-signings it looks like the Club have actually updated the First Team on their website except that they still include Ben Gardiner.

Realistically, with so many players contracts expiring on 31 May 2026, it is likely we will get a lot of updates from Monday of either some of our own, or more likely signing some of those out of contract with other clubs.

Based on our current squad we have no chance!! We can only assume that after yesterday's release news that we hope to have some players coming in on loans (unlikely to have any deals just yet), players re-signing on new deals, but obviously a lot of new players. By new I include Big Jordan if he returns plus Graeme Shinnie or other players previously with us (e.g.Sole or Lawal both released by Livingston).

Some surprises...https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/caley-jags-confirm-release-of-nine-players-at-the-end-of-the-435941/

How do full time clubs survive on such meagre income? Cove, QOS and Hamilton and next up Ross County. How do part time clubs survive on such meagre income? Discuss.

With the exception of Andrew Bannerman, the ex-Chief Executive of Raith Rovers F C and Gardyne, if my memory serves me right, we have quite a good record of rehabilitating Ross County players who have signed for us. There is Billy Mckay......

They have milked him dry.....at least he will have about 10 staff caravans to re-let to tourists....

A lot of part time players have very good full time jobs with football providing an additional income for a great pastime. So I suspect not too many options there when you also factor in accommodation issues.

Ross County now joined by Airdrieonians - League 1 will again be very competitive next year so no guarantee that THE County will win it!!!

Very soul destroying after the remarkable recovery from administration.

Remember that most Ross County players were on completely unaffordable packages probably including SPFL wages partly funded by Parachute payments. Laidlaw and Whyte are probably the only resident players.

I suspect Ross County have already bought it and painted over Stenhousemuir and 2025/26...however big Jordan will not stand on it next May.

In the end it was a fantastic achievement. I saw some of our grateful supporters thank Alan Savage post presentation. Without him and the culture he has generated in the rebuild this would not have happened. To Scott and Billy, to all the coaches, to Charlie, to the players, stadium staff and especially the away supporters, this recovery from severe adversity is much to be cherished. In terms of being magnanimous I have to say Stenhousemuir have been tremendous competitors this season. I wish them well in the playoffs. I also have sympathy and admiration with the way Hamilton's players and staff have coped with the mismanagement of their club. We once had that experience too. To those over the Bridge who only expected one year in the Championship, I am not the Brahan Seer, but well done for such foresight. ICT FC now rule the Highlands again.

Duplicate winners medals or just blank ones?

Presentation, if we win, will depend on how quickly it takes for the Helicopter to arrive from its location mid way between Montrose and Inverness and the time it takes for Queen Camilla to parachute onto the pitch and hopefully not drop the Trophy after her tiring trip to the USA.

This is not an excuse but once again we saw players on the opposite side to us seek time out for 'head' or other injuries. The SFA need to trial a system of 10 minute trial outs for those with head injuries and those in excruciate pain - their right back had at least 4 of these moments yesterday. If referees had the power to ask the medical teams to isolate players in such pain for 10 minutes off the pitch it might make the life of a referee much easier to detect true injuries and feigned injuries.

Just to wish Ross County all the best today.....hope it is not like passing ships in the night....

Let's not forget ICT had a special offer last Saturday and no doubt will do so again next Saturday. So completely understandable why East Fife want a large home support as they slide towards the relegation playoffs. If their offer does not have a large take up they may still have some spare tickets although that is not their current position.

Celtic supporters claim Steven Maclean as the VAR referee who recommended the penalty for Hearts on Saturday seem to think he wouldn't know a penalty if he saw one. When asked about this Josh Meekings said 'not that old chestnut again. When the ball smashed into my hand, sorry face, it happened so quickly it was only a few Celtic players who thought my hand, sorry face, was in an unnatural position. Thought we beat Falkirk fair and square in the final. We did not complain when Carl was sent off for a last man challenge some 100 yards from the goal line.....' So get every player motivated to beat Peterhead tonight and move on.

It is now looking unlikely that County will go straight back up to the SPFL this season.

I blame everything on Stenhousemuir. That aside, we did remarkably well to get to this Cup Final.