CELTIC1CALEY3

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-utd/kelly-s-eye-on-pools-good-luck-yogi-1-6249200 Very good article on Yogi.

Some information on Paul Hartley by Hugh Keevins on the 25th May. Hartley “So I went to the Accies and I met the coach whose career since then has taught me you should always strive to be the best you can be and that was Davie Moyes.'' He was famously one of the Riccarton Three at Tynecastle, when Hartley, Steven Pressley and Craig Gordon issued a statement proclaiming that there was “significant unrest” in Hearts’ dressing room. ''That long-term aim might, however, be diverted in the short-term by the possibility of Hartley being coveted by an SPL club if a managerial merry-go-round should spring into action over the next few days. If, and when, it does Hartley will admit to being motivated by self interest and the independent streak that’s characterised his career from his teenage years to the present day.He also appreciates I have this independent streak that comes from my upbringing as one of six children who were brought up by a mother on her own.'' He wants to be the Manager, not the Coach, so he would need a good number 2, and confirmation that Richie and he blended well. Alloa are of course part time which makes his success so far, pretty remarkable. However, ''Looking back at his early days in Clackmannanshire, Hartley believes clearing the decks worked to his advantage.'' this is not an option at ICT. But his Chairman rates him very highly: ''Hartley has more than justified Mulraney’s decision but did the chairman ever think it was a gamble to turn to young manager? "We had 40 applicants for the manager’s job and the standard of candidates was incredibly high," Mulraney said. "I made my mind up very quickly and it says everything for Paul that he was the only person I interviewed."

Look at the problem from the SPFL view. Is the big issue here not just the TV slot worth £80k? Solve that and you solve the other issue. An Alba perhaps? The attendance for last year's semi was 16,326. Tickets were £15 and £5. Holding the semi in Perth would lose 6,326 seats at perhaps £80k. With TV at Perth the loss to ICT might be about £20k as the share of TV revenue. However, the atmosphere and spectacle for TV would be first class. However, the first train does not get in until mid day so that is not really a goer. Pittodrie has a capacity of 22,199 and if the game was a sell out it could be played at 3 pm without TV revenue. Shunning TV revenue is though a dangerous game in Scotland. I doubt if the game would be a sell out. Damn Highlanders!! Will probably only muster 1746 supporters at Easter Road as things stand.

Shiels problem is that he has upset too many people with his comments. I like the guy but I do not think he will fit into our club. His managerial career is a bit patchy. Jimmy Nicholl is a very experienced Manager and Assistant. After dinner speaker and all round good guy. Would fit into ICT nicely. Yogi remains my choice at present. He did a very good job with Hartlepool, and a bit like Butcher, almost pulled the great escape off. His record was still pretty good. He is a massively passionsate man who has always traded banter with our fans in Inverness. When playing for Ayr, he would often say, 'I **** hate coming up to this place'. His attitude changed when he brought Falkirk up the road, and they latterly had a good record against us. He was responsible for our relegation although personally, I blamed it on Butcher who made progress and kept telling us 'we are nearly safe' (the same Butcher who told us we were nearly in Europe and blew that too!). Chris Sutton was interviewed when Butcher got the job but is still light on managerial experience. I caanot see him wanting to get his hands dirty nor face the raw cold. Yogi has overcome many obstacles. He is a great motivator. Would Yogi get on with Richie? I think they would be pals. Would there be space for Jimmy Nic? I hope so plus a two year contract extension for Richie. This year he has been immense. If truth be known, he has had an enormous influence on the team starting with the team bonding night out. The week ahead is has a series of massive challenges for ICT - managerial continuity, extending Richie's contract, securing commonsense with the Semi venue. The final challenge will be about containing St Johnstone and then getting a result. I believe we are a bigger club than Hibs!!!!

Not sure who George Burley's referees are, but I doubt if it will be any of these. http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A29114895 Nor Edinburghowl http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic/185951-george-burley/

Adams sees funny side of link to Caley Jags http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/3472044 If Ross County lose their next 5 or so games, he won't be laughing then.

Excellent news. An unsung hero at present.

Local hero gets another cap!

Yogi and Jimmy Nic?

Fair and neutral would also mean looking at Hearts supporters getting there on time. If we look at the Scotrail web site neither ICT nor Hearts fans can get to Pittodrie on the trains for a 12.30 kick off. TV money of say £80,000 potentially split 4 ways is probably an important bonus for both clubs. I do not know what it would cost the SPFL to pay for a football special from Inverness but if that cost say £10k we might then have a brilliant away day although it would depend on demand for seats. The Scottish Government could pull strings here. If we insisted on a 3 pm kick off in Edinburgh all four clubs would lose cash but it could be winner takes all and sporting integrity might win through in the end. Would Hearts be interested in a two legged semi final using our respective pitches?

Brilliant letter from Davie. It is quite comical actually what the SPFL has done. Organise a semi final in the back yard of one team, supported by the First Minister, and set a time when the opposition basically cannot get its supporters to the match without breaking all rules about the sustainable use of transport. He has had no influence over this decision but we could have Alex Salmond sitting comfortably with his fellow Hearts supporters and the opposition snookered because the SPFL blatantly ignored his Government's national transport policy: Reduce emissions to tackle climate change Improve quality, accessibility and affordability of transport, to give people the choice of public transport and real alternatives to the car On the assumption that a few thousand of us set off on the morning of the game in a mass convoy of cars, we encounter snow or other road restrictions, what sort of message will the BBC send to the outside world? Picture Manchester United reaching a Semi Final against Chelsea and the English FA then choosing Manchester City's Etihad Stadium as the neutral venue with say an 11 am kick off because there was a Rugby match on the BBC at 13.00? Or maybe Carlisle reaching a Semi Final against Fulham and the game played at Chelsea's ground. The Hearts supporters this season have been absolutely fantastic. However, I am sure a few of them are thinking 'we might outnumber the ICT support by 16:1 with this decision. Thank goodness the SPFL chose a venue 3.6 miles away.' Now Alex, what do you think?

This is really good news: Ross County manager Derek Adams has extended his contract with the Dingwall club until 2016 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22660639 No more mention of him thanks.

Butcher aiming for Turd according to Fenlon

I saw the Under 20's game on Tuesday and thought Curtis looked pretty disinterested. He was not that well supported but did not look hungry for success. It was interesting comparing his work rate with Billy's - Billy is a workaholic. Curtis is not.

Other possibilities - Roy Aitken? Peter Grant has been mentioned but he has had too many failures probably.

Sunday 2nd February 2014 RBS 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP Ireland v Scotland 15:00 Still no excuse for Easter Road.

Tommy the Groundsman has more chance than Derek Adams. Would we pay compensation for a failure? County are now finding their level under him.

Butcher probably had an interest in Hibs after this game. http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-0-7-malmo-horror-and-humiliation-1-3016009

The logical choice for a ground in the middle was Tannadice or Pitodrie. Once again we have to beat the odds. Referees stop games because of health and safety concerns. Getting our supporters down at that time has potentially significant concerns. I can see our club having to invest in some 'special' trains. Luckily Alex Salmond is a Hearts supporter and will wish to see fair play here.

Hibs AGM on 2 October 2013 Chairman Rod Petrie said: "For the start of the 2013/14 Season, we had 8,000 Season Ticket Members - 1,000 more than for the start of the previous season.....The increased number of Season Ticket Memberships has enabled the Manager to assemble a talented squad of players as they have shown in some if not all matches this Season. We have a good blend of youth and experience.....And the contribution by Season Ticket Members enabled us to dip into the transfer market and to pay a transfer fee to sign a striker....There is much to look forward to; eight games into the Season we are fifth in the League and only one point adrift from where we were at this time last Season." Would you trust a person with that judgement unless you were given a major pay rise?

http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1094-ictfc-statement

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20131111/terry-butcher_2262950_3533098

Terry has been part of a team at ICT - he has contributed to our success, not been the sole reason. His Ego may have elevated him into presenting that view but no man is bigger than the team.

I certainly support Maurice as Terry's replacement as Manager. He is definitely staying because Hibs would have to pay double compensation for his services: http://ictfc.com/news/events/1072-big-fat-xmas-quiz Joking apart, he probably realises that Terry wants a couple of years sampling the best restaurants and wine bars in Edinburgh before continuing his media work. For Terry to end his managerial career as the next sacked Manager of Hibs is as predictable as the Duke of Edinburgh remarrying again. Maurice still wants a future as a Manager or Coach and he certainly created real freshness in the team yesterday. We do not know the full facts behind his managerial career at Motherwell and Swindon but in the Highlands he, right now, is the safest bet. I am sure he can operate without Butcher.

Just back and that was a magnificent display from the team, Maurice, Steve and Duncan plus Physio, and our support. The players were really refreshed as if a burden had been lifted from their shoulders. If ICT offer Maurice and Steve new posts - certainly Maurice as Manager - we can move forward again. Maurice must take great great credit for his conduct and well chosen words in the last few days. He must have played a part in keeping the players focussed too. That was a really great game to watch and a massive turnaround from the St Johnstone game when Terry's wanderlust may have re-emerged.