bdu98196

HT: 0-2 FT: 0-3 1st ICT: Mckay 1st Opp: none Time of 1st Goal: 12 mins Total number of Corners: 6

HT: 0-0 FT: 1-0 1st ICT: Ross 1st Opp: None Time of 1st Goal: 65 min

HT: 0-1 FT: 0-3 1st ICT: McKay 1st Hearts: Holt First Goal: 19 mins

2nd in scotlands top league yet last on sportscene yet again. No surprises there and discussion of dons and dutd for 2nd earlier and almost blatent dismissal of us. Plenty motivational material there for our players.

Personally I would have liked Hartley, but I have faith in the board, they have made successful appointments in the past so why not now? As a fan of ICT i support and follow the club and the players and if Hughes is the man in charge I will give him my backing and support. We have a strong team in a good position and the last few games have shown they know what they are doing so this gives him time to settle in and learn the players and club, then hopefully gel and build relationships to move us forwards.

Agreed, we can't even get the KO time in a cup semi final moved with reasoned argument, but Celtic seem to be able to move a whole league fixture to another calendar date altogether. Disgusted.

Just read this, so thats the 2nd time this season they will be allowed to postpone games for more 'glamourous' reasons - surely if the fixtures are announced and there are no extreme factors such as weather etc and a team chooses not to play a game it should be forfited? Its like we are all just supporting acts to fit in around the whims of the OF teams. Celtic have been granted permission to postpone their 11 January meeting with Kilmarnock so that they can have a winter break in Marbella. (The Record)

With a cup semi already garunteed, doing well in the league and another winnable cup game to get to a QF there is plenty for Billy to stay. Our captain has shown to be a leader and committed to another 3 years, Billy still has 18 months of his contract to run IIRC, I would expect Foran and the rest of the boys to persuade him (if needed) that if he stays beyond Jan he could help create history and still have the same if not better moves elsewhere in the summer - same goes for several players, they could leave for more money in the Championship in England but may never be 90 mins away from a national final again.

If Locke was to be booted from Hearts which is incredibly unlikely given their financial state, they would just promote someone from within who is already working on reduced wages such as Billy Brown or even offer it to Robbo, they aren't in a position to pay compensation and bring someone in. If Hartley has turned down the job, it would be a surprise if its financial as we will be offering much higher package than a part time club, if its geography - well he visited us as a player so knew where we were, therefore you can only assume its other personal reasons (family etc). Personally I still expect Hartley to be announced manager tomorrow.

HT: 0-1 FT: 0-2 1st ICT: Foran 1st Opp: Newton Time of 1st Goal: 22nd min

I would expect as Shearer & Kellacher have taken the team and we still have Christie involved at the club, the board will be looking for a manager to come in with maybe an assistant to work with these guys. Someone like Levien strikes me as a manager who takes a whole backroom team with him and would want to change everything to make it his own, possibly Shields too, which I dont think the board and the fans would want. Therefore a younger manager like Hartley or Alexander would make sense.

As Richie is suspended he will be in the stand, he is not allowed on the park and as he is not registered as a club coach or official he will not be in the technical area. If he was a player/coach then he could work in the dugout but not go on as a player in that game. As we have a small staduim he may well be in Row A of Section C lol

After last nights CL result, I expect Celtic to turn it up a level in the league now, we may see a few points dropped but their strength will start to show now and after the critisim last year I'd expect the league to be sown up well before the split. We have a great chance in the League Cup, although we can't underestimate Hearts, considering transfer bans, injuries and suspensions they could be quite weak come January. Scottish Cup is another oppertunity for a good run, however I do think with a focused Celtic and the potential for us to pick up injuries etc and seeing the form DUFC are putting together I think a semi would be a good outcome for us. So in short, League = No, League Cup = finalisist, Scottish Cup = Semi or better.

Why would Hartley leave a manager post to be an assistant as some are suggesting, yes he is with a part time team and achieved success, he was a high level pro at top clubs and played both in European competition and Internationals, so working full time with a squad shouldnt be any issue at all. Based on where he is in his career and this being a step up and oppertunity to prove himself, I'm sure the board could get him and his team from Alloa for less money collectivly than someone like Shields would expect individually.

HT: 3-0 FT: 4-0 1st ICTFC: Mckay 1st Opp: None Time of 1st goal: 5mins

Hibs wont be paying transfer fees, they will look to try get pre-contracts agreed with any out of contract players here and elsewhere in the SPFL plus deals in England. Wouldn't be surprised to see a few Arsenal loanee's appear at Hibs. TB will also have to work with and assess the current Hibs group, perhaps with a manager change some of these players will improve. Overall now Foran has signed, I'm not overly worried, we have a few players vunerable to poaching, but how much increase in salary will Hibs offer to ICT players when factors such as living costs & lifestyle in Edinburger are factored in.

HT:1-1 FT:2-1 1st ICT:Foran 1st Opp:May 1st Goal:15mins

Agreed, great news - whats the source tho?

Don't forget the cup semi final being a factor and whether Foran believes we can get to the final with the team we have, he could be the captain to lift that trophy - don't think he has won much in his career so a medal would be a big achievement. That makes me think he will at least stay til the summer regardless, but as I put above I hope the board do everything they can to make his decision VERY hard.

I'd rather someone young and dynamic looking to make their way in the game opposed to a manager who has been around the clubs (even at SPL level) and never achieved a lot. We have a hungry team looking for success - lets bring in someone with that same attitude. Hartley, Cameron, Ian Murray, Sheerin all make my list, as would Larsson.

The timing of the match and blatent disregard for the location and travelling requirements for our fans for what is a hugely important game shows nothing but ignorance & by the authorities to smaller (provincial) clubs. In a competition where 3 of the semi-final clubs are outwith the central belt, it shows that this is considered irrelevant when defining times & location - hopefully the combined stance from the club & fans groups will be listened to however I fear that this is more driven by the corporate suit brigade then what real fans think.

Never heard the interview, but if thats the sentiment and attitude shown by the captain, the board need to get his contract tied up now and make him the offer to help him through his coaching badges (if he wants that). This is one guy I don't want going to Hibs and we need to make sure all the steps are in place to keep him as an on pitch influence and assist with asperations moving forwards.

Very pleasing, been a key player in a critical position.

Wow, some really negative posts on here and such hostility towards TB & MM now - how quick people are to turn. So we had a management duo that got us promoted from D1 first time of asking, rejuvenated the team by making unpopular choices and removing players who were proven to be past their best, brought a exciting and attacking style of play, gave us our first ever top 6 SPL finish and missed out on Europe by a whisker, taken the team to 2 cup semi-finals in a row.................yet all that if forgotten because like everyone in life they decided to try a new challenge with the inevitable additional cash. While I'm not happy they have left, I certainly am grateful for what they have brought to the club and hope moving forwards a new manager can build on this.

Mo Maplas with Foran as assistant or even Foran as player/manager with Charlie Christie as assistant (if he would be interested) - clearly RF has the respect of the dressing room and I'm sure he has learned a lot from TB & MM over the years. A young manager such as Hartley or Cameron who have some experience at lower levels could be a useful option. Above suggestion of Barry Robson is another I like again with an experienced assistant - problem is whether the dons would consider him as a player so want a fee.