CELTIC1CALEY3

.................and a touch of this in the Ireland v Northern Ireland managerial stakes

Motherwell tomorrow could be the most important game in our history................

Andrew Davies suspended for our first split game as is Garry.

https://stv.tv/sport/football/1385606-inverness-to-discuss-foran-s-future-at-board-meeting/

The Six Game Shoot Out League - Standings Pl W D L GD Pts Kilmarnock 0 0 0 0 -2 9 Ross County 0 0 0 0 0 7 Dundee 0 0 0 0 -1 5 Hamilton 0 0 0 0 -3 4 Motherwell 0 0 0 0 -8 4 Inverness 0 0 0 0 -7 0

On the assumption we lose at Motherwell and sink meekly into the Championship - there seems little else to think - I predict that Dundee might just be the play-off team in 11th. We have waited and waited for a spark and it has not come. Hamilton are just too street wise. Motherwell are just too strong . Ross County, despite alleged managerial issues, will not slip down the table to 11th. Killie are safe. So what chance a Dundee v Dundee United play off final? In terms of the glimmer of hope for the spark, Billy will want to show Stephen Robinson what he might have done at Oldham to stop his sacking there. Henry will want to put in a top performance whilst McCart will want to show Motherwell they possibly should have developed him as a top player like his dad. And finally, Laing will have something to prove too. And finally, finally, Richie will feel bad about a win back in Motherwell but might just get over it.

Players do not willingly get injured for long periods of time.................

Pschologically it might be better to write us off now...we play better in that situation. Must win puts too much pressure on players.

Tremarco could be left wing to partner Billy. And to slow down Jonny, and 9 other attacking Aberdeen players!!

Clear penalty but Sammon's tackle on Brad clear and stupid penalty...but not given.

Somehow we also need to get the referee on board the team. I have massive respect for Bobby Madden and in particular what he has come through but realistically he was not balanced in his overall judgement on Saturday.

We may get lucky and have 4 home and 4 away. Before the split we have Aberdeen away - amazingly tough- St Johnstone home - extra tough - and Motherwell away - very tough. In the split fixtures we will have fixtures against Hamilton, Ross County, Motherwell, Dundee and Kilmarnock - I cannot see Killie who play Rangers, Celtic and Hearts overtaking Partick (nor Dundee or Ross County for that matter). So far we have played Hamilton away twice this year, Ross County away once, Motherwell will be twice, Dundee once, and Killie once. In theory we would therefore play Hamilton at home, Ross County away, Motherwell home, Dundee away, and Killie away. But that is not certain. I strongly suspect we will have Ross County away on the last day of the season when I hope we will have something to play for.

BBC highlights show that at an early corner Connor Sammon blatantly charging straight into Brad Mckay without even looking at the cross in order to stop him having a close shot at goal. This could explain why Brad later got angry with the referee and was booked.

Looking to the next two sets of fixtures our game against Aberdeen is very unlikely to result in any points coming our way. Ross County should be favourites to beat Dundee. Motherwell against Hamilton is likely to be a draw. We can but hope Rangers get their act together and beat Killie. We obviously hope Killie then do not upset Celtic's home celebrations of the title. However, even though on 33 points they would be miles from us.Hamilton v Ross County might be a County win. Ideally Hearts will beat Dundee. A second win against St Johnstone would be a relief but leave is still dangling near the edge.Partick would be desperate to beat Motherwell. Dundee's final game before the split is against Hamilton. We have quite a good record against Motherwell but a second win down there might be too much to ask. It is certainly not looking too good but the fans must retain faith.

A point at Pittodrie on Tuesday could be a lifesaver. It will take an enormous effort to achieve that though.

We should in no way blame players. Their careers are partly regulated by the transfer window and other restrictions. It is not an easy life and come the season end many will be without clubs for months or even forever again. It is a very short career and realistically we should wish Greg well and trust like everyone else they seek to get at least a point at Pittodrie.

''Ross County left-back Kenny van der Weg is poised to reject a new two-year contract and leave the Scottish Premiership club this summer as the 26-year-old has struggled to settle in the Highlands, describing Dingwall as boring.'' https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/789762/dutch-star-kenny-van-der-weg-ready-to-quit-ross-county-after-struggling-to-settle-in-the-highlands/

Heard Jim McIntyre on STV last night make it clear Ross County need to win the next four games to have a good chance of getting into the top six - clearly not coming for a draw so putting pressure on his players to get four wins in a row. He has decided Celtic away is a straightforward loss which is fair. Here are the games where the County plan to harvest their 12 points: Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Ross County Partick Thistle v Ross County Ross County v Dundee Hamilton Academical v Ross County Ross County v Celtic I just wonder whether Alex Neil might be brought in if the County lose a few. McIntyre invested very heavily in January so probably did so on the basis of a top 6 promise to Uncle Roy.

County were slightly unlucky against Kilmarnock and we were a little lucky against Partick. However, Celtic apart, we have points from the other four games. If every single player in our side and every single supporter had a game where we all needed to be focussed, it is Saturday. A defeat is unthinkable. A draw might take us level with Hamilton or if they were to lose heavily at Ibrox above them. It is time to really believe we can beat Ross County again without over committing. It should be a tense match so it will be interesting to see what support comes from over the bridge.

First target is clearly not to lose against Partick. Then review.

I do not think McCart is eligible against Celtic. In addition Carlos and Jake picked up injuries against Rangers. As an aside, we played Rangers for most of the game without our top scorer when Carlos went off injured.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted he does not expect Celtic to go through the domestic season unbeaten, despite Saturday's 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies extending their league winning streak to 21 games.(Sunday Post)

The Championship would result in pay cuts and job losses and perhaps wilderness years. The reality has sunk in. New players have been very positive. The old work ethic has returned. The supporters have stuck with the club despite some clear frustrations. Richie shaved off his beard!!!

J'taime! Picture courtesy of the Daily Record