CELTIC1CALEY3

http://www.afc.co.uk/teams/paul_sheerin.php Some facts on Paul Sheerin.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40190642

Come on Richie (aka Alan), you know we will have to respect 9 teams next year. The 2016/17 season assuming top 6 until it was impossible should tell you no team will lie down and be walked on. Our first target is to avoid slipping into League 1 and if things go better we can see if we can get into the Top 4.

I am pleased that you acknowledge that giving Richie a four year contract was a mistake by the Board. We do not know the full facts behind Yogi's departure. The Board ultimately oversaw relegation. Quite a catalogue of big mistakes. They have remained silent on a number of key issues. Richie admitted that he had made mistakes and was letting the fans down through most of the season. The danger with a wealthy group of businessmen is that they assume they will always be successful. It is kidology to suggest we will offer a 5% discount on season tickets if we return to the SPFL next season. Only Hamilton have overcome the play off lottery to get into the SPFL. There are many teams who offer a substantial threat to win the Championship. The new Board needs to find a bridge with fans and I suspect the season ticket issue may finally bring the two factions together.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sky-sports-fall-hilarious-prank-9577853 You will notice that Charlie Bannerman has tried it in reverse with Ruud Boogers!!!

Decision making will have changed with a new Board combination. I still think there are key decisions on the retention of Brian Rice, Scott Kellaher and Duncan Shearer before the appointment of a new manager. Does Charlie want the job?

Historically the bookies have got it wrong. Jack Ross looks to be Dundee bound.

Key questions remain about the roles of Scott Kellacher, Ryan Essen, Brian Rice, possibly Duncan Shearer and Charlie before we know what is to happen next. I suspect that is or has happened and the club will slim team/coaching management structure that mabut include Maurice Malpass. Meantime, we need to get Fisher signed regardless.

In some ways it does not matter. We have to get ourselves sorted out or within 12 months we might be really in the doldrums. Throughout most of this year Richie kept talking about the top 6. So next season as Malpass has indicated to the Inverness Courier, we need to readjust quickly and work out how to make progress in the Championship. We should not set stupid targets and keep harping on about them.. With Rangers and Hibs back in the SPFL the competition will intensify in that league regardless of Hamilton staying up. Dundee United might offer a bigger threat next year if, as I suspect, they will win today. Simon Murray's presence will probably sway it for them. As we know to our cost, on penalties they have a very good keeper. If Hamilton prevail, we will have to wait and see the reaction from Dundee United. But let us not kid ourselves, there are some very good teams in the Championship with good managers.

That's Graeme Shinnie with Captaincy of two sides in the SC Final. We certainly handled Celtic better methinks!!

Here's an interesting warning in the Herald Sport from Graeme Shinnie about throwing the wrong ballast over board 'Armstrong has been one of the form players in the country this season and if he performs as he has both domestically and in Europe, as well as for Scotland on his international debut back in March, his side will be difficult to beat. The 25-year-old’s resurgence after a difficult season and a half hasn’t come as a great surprise to Shinnie, who first came across him when he was coming through the youth ranks at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. But the rise to prominence of a player who is reportedly interesting several Barclays Premier League clubs in England has also underlined to him how badly the Highland club blundered by letting him go. “Stuart was at Inverness at the same time as me,” he said. “He was coming through in the U17s when I was in the U19s. “Caley actually released him because they needed to cut money after being relegated – which was a major mistake on their part. They will be kicking themselves for that. “You could see back then that he had a lot of potential, but the decision was financial because of what happened. '

http://www.scotzine.com/2017/05/inverness-prepare-for-life-in-the-championship/ Yogi to return?

Positive move. http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40019618

You would hope so but there are likely to be get out clauses for both parties to make it a fair four year agreement. Performance is a subjective matter that may need up to date advice. Whilst the subject of termination has clearly been discussed since January, and whilst views may have been expressed by competent individuals, this may be the crunch point whereby the club want to avoid a drawn out period of litigation. We do not know the terms of the contract between Richie and the Company.

If there is a good probability that the Board is considering terminating Richie's appointment, one would expect a formal written legal analysis of the implications.

If a high proportion of players likely to be offered contracts, indicated to the Board their support for Richie, then the position he is in, could be recovered. However, that is one of the catch 22 problems the Board have. I suspect most of the players have been pretty loyal to Richie despite the relegation. He seems to think he still has the support of the majority. However, this is about trust and players who want to stay may not feel too comfortable speaking direct to Directors. We can but hope that they take their time and reach the best conclusion. That said, players have bills to pay and they will not want to wait too long for a positive outcome. Very few of us would have stomached the insecurity of being a professional footballer.

There will be a cost element to keeping Richie and one of getting rid of him. The Board have a difficult decision to make. As Directors, they are obliged to operate a going concern. A key part of that decision making will be checking which regular first teamers would want to leave if Richie stayed. If players like Laing and Fisher want to stay on and fight for Richie that would suggest the Board and Richie mihght be able to turn things around. Kenny for all his efforts might need to move on if the Board has a new leader. The Board now come into their own to re-build.

....and finally, congratulations to Hamilton.....Richie said the pressure was on you, but your resolve today was first class. Well done.

Nick Ross, James Vincent, Danny Williams, if we beat Motherwell, and you guys draw or beat Hamilton, you will finish 9th. One day Nick, you may well return to the ICT Team. Please make sure it is a possible SPFL team!!! Please be aware that Hamilton have produced some very good results at home this year at key moments. So do not switch off with minutes to go nor do a Rossco.

...but no gifts to Motherwell.

Come on Ross County save us from your shadow.................

As things stand, a Hamilton defeat at Ross County on Tuesday night would almost certainly get them a play off against Dundee United or Falkirk. So they too could be in the Championship next year.

IHE it was Vigurs who played in Fisher for the goal. When you see the Esson errors that is actually compounded by Raven dribbling instead of hoofing. I felt Brad was hampered by his silly booking following the tackle on Draper. There were times when both Mulraney and Polworth sat on the deck whinging instead of getting straight back up and winning the ball. Curiously enough a draw would not have helped unless we knew in advance that Hamilton were to lose their final three games. Only our friends over the Bridge can help us now, which seems quite likely given their desire for 7th place. So the Dundee game could be our cup final this year. If it is it has to be set up as a win. We have been starting well for some time but failing to capitalise on early chances. If we have not been relegated on Tuesday night, the team to play Dundee will be very interesting. The back five is a fixture. Tansey, Vigurs and possibly Polworth might give us the mobility but not necessarily the fight especially if we go a goal down. Up front it is likely to be Billy and Fish and if we want someone really hungry, Dean. That said, I can see Draper as Centre Forward with Fisher and McKay supporting him!! Poor old Yogi is unlikely to be managing a team in the Championship next year after leaving Raith so no banter with him next season.

Press release from ICT regarding Richie's position...

Foran back in....https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/ex-dundee-boss-paul-hartley-may-take-caley/ This should motivate us against Killie!!