CELTIC1CALEY3

Slight over reaction in the first of 36 games. Shankland was first class. Most of our players improved after the Dundee game. However, Robbo's loyalty to maintaining team spirit will surely change for next week. Todorov must start up front. From a Dundee United perspective that was a peak performance. However, I doubt if they will sustain it. As for Shankland, he must avoid the injury he had late last season or a new one from some tough Championship defenders, or else the heads will drop at United. And yes £24 entry for away supporters is surely a sign that they are paying to help United fund Shankland's large signing on fee and SPFL wages.

Mentally some of our management and players, and some supporters, underestimated the teams in our league. Having watched all four games live, I have to save yesterday's performance was very inept compared to our cup victory at Tannadice last year. Motivation yesterday seemed sadly lacking. Easy to criticise the referee but being off the pace yesterday lead to us repeatedly 'gently' pushing opposition players. Until we get up to speed to compete this tactic will be found out by referees. Whyte did appear to be fouled in the box but he needs to find his Tannadice cup form to show to referees he is not looking for fouls. Trafford was very lucky yesterday not to be sent off. Mark did make a rare error but against Peterhead he made repeated key saves in the second half to save us one point. Had he not read Megginson's Ian Stewart chip we would have been 3-1 down to Cove and taking a real beating. Yesterday the first sub was because of Trafford's repeated indiscipline. However, after Carson came on and performed far better, Robbo seemed to wait an age to bring on Toddy. He also probably chose Curry because of his loan arrangement when supporters would have preferred McGregor. Curry added little before his injury. So on to Tannadice next week where two under achieving League Cup teams meet on the League season opener. There has to be a week of re-think, change and hunger within ICT. Even if we lose next week, we need far more effort.

Are you a secret Kilmarnock supporter who bought their ticket to Belgrade before the easy win against Connah's Quay? Until we get there, the next round is irrelevant.

Simple, we set out to win.

An observation. When we lost to Dundee United last year we seemed to warm up for nearly 40 minutes being quite a bit more than United. Last night in severe heat we warmed up again for about 40 minutes. Cove probably spent no more than about 30 minutes in the heat. In the first half they appeared far sharper than us. Spare a thought for Keatings who ran his socks off in the heat especially doing most of the chasing down of their keeper. He looked quite dejected to be subbed on 69 minutes but appeared to have run more than most players in such heat.

As they say at FC Calais, Tres Tricky. Had Kilmarnock taken Connahs Quay seriously they might have had a plum tie in Europe.

Should have said plan for Sunday...game on BT Sport 1.

Not necessarily so - Peterhead will surely beat Raith and would also be on 9 points. We will know that result on Tuesday and then be able to plan for Saturday. Planning for a bonus point would be risky for either Dundee or Inverness if Peterhead are on 9 points. As things stand, we have to beat Cove and Dundee. Not an easy challenge.

That would be disrespectful to Peterhead - they played well at containing us in the first half and used attack as their defence in the second half as we started with three at the back. Their keeper was solid. A number of Kilmarnock supporters are potentially heading to Belgrade because they assumed it was easy to beat the part timers from Wales. Make no mistake about it, Peterhead have some talented players backed up by some experienced ones.

Aberdeen's Finnish opponents tonight include - Antonio Reguero: The Spanish goalkeeper had spells at four different clubs in Scotland - Kilmarnock, Hibernian and most notably, the two Highland clubs Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The 37-year-old is also RoPS' captain, having moved to the club in 2016 after his time at Easter Road ended without a single appearance.

Looks like we will miss out on Lawrence Shankland.......................Dundee United will now start as firm favorites to win the Championship............again.

We could give this 'Staggie' a trial https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-48748148/deer-enjoys-playing-football-in-the-scottish-highlands

Looked quite dangerous against us at Tannadice. However, he was subject to the Tannadice boo boys so a refreshing move to the Highlands might put him back on track - assuming our supporters this year adopt a positive attitude to all players even when not performing to their maximum capacity!!! If he gets a decent haircut that would help him too.

Just read some background to Owain's 4 years on ICT's books and his absolutely positive comments on that stay. Tonight he has an art exhibition on recent Scottish life. From a personal point of view can I just say thank you to Owain for his time at the club. He is an absolutely decent guy who gave everything to the cause and I for one salute him. Here is wishing him all the best for the future.

Some very challenging games. Just what we need to get into gear.

Regardless of what happened this year Dundee United have made themselves favourites to win the Championship next year. That makes it easier for 9 chasing teams.

No 3 played Jordan on side. One issue to bear in mind if we beat Ayr could be accumulation of bookings. Not sure what the rules are but possibly another advantage for the SPFL side and Dundee United. Clear evidence from the highlights of the danger that Ayr pose. They are very good on the road and were grateful that they did not have the long mid week journey.

Brilliant result but bear in mind Ayr beat Dundee United 5-0 at Tannadice. Never ever underestimate the opposition.

I 've got mine!!

Trafford is now looking like a player who was once an international. He is starting to believe in himself and more confident on the ball. On the basis Ayr will be pumped up for the play offs, we need to super concentrate during both games. With Shankland back, we are up against some very dangerous attackers in their team who not only respect him but feed off him. Under no circumstances do we underestimate the task in hand. Ayr are a very good team. Early in the season they were league leaders and will wish to put the record straight that ICT may have finished 3rd but they want to join the SPFL more than ICT do. After all, they did go to Dundee United in late November 2018 and hammer them 5-0. Shankland scored 4, Moffat 1.

Semi Finalists in the Scottish Cup, 3rd in the League, very successful under 18s. A great season so far.

He is a great guy who has been pretty outstanding this season for us. Great news.

Dean Brill has capped a brilliant return to playing by helping Leyton Orient back into the football league from the National League (and into a Wembley appearance in the FA Trophy Final). At the same time Garry Warren (and Alex Fisher) is heading into the National League with Yeovil likely to finish bottom of League 2.

He signed a FIVE YEAR contract in June 2018!!! Now being linked with the Scotland job!!

It is critical that ICT has an image that is genuinely honest. McMullen has been caught out before, and he will be again. It was a blatant handball yesterday and I suspect he was as shocked as we were that the referee saw it otherwise.