gyles

I must admit I was surprised in Billy McKays reaction when he scored. There's something I like seeing from players who don't celebrate against a former club, players who have enjoyed their time at a club and acknowledge what the club has done for them. Some players have respect and hold back from celebrating. Was anyone else surprised? Maybe I'm too sentimental towards him, maybe he was releasing his frustrations from his time at Wigan, maybe trying to win over Dundee Utd fans. I'm probably looking too much into this but I was disappointed in him.

I think we're capable of turning this round, I wasn't too impressed with Astra on Thursday night. West Ham is a great incentive to fight back and Aberdeen's 3-0 away should be good inspiration to our lads that Scottish clubs are capable of a result in Europe.

One funny post I came across on St Johnstone forum was them celebrating qualifying for Europe 4 seasons in a row for them to say congratulations to Rangers for qualifying for the Challenge cup 4 seasons in a row hahaha!!

All the singing and chanting from Saturday is still going round my head...

Back into work today, had a look to see the staff rota for 16th and 23rd July and there's already 3 folk on holiday. There's no chance being able to make an away trip. Just hope we qualify for 3rd round.

Doh! They are obviously unseeded like us...

The teams from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia are probably the worst choice for us travel wise. There's no team from Armenia or Israel in the list?

Countdown for Europe I think...

I almost past out when we scored the 2nd... With all the wild celebrating in stand I needed to calm down a little.

As a youngster growing up in Nairn in the 90s, it took me a while to have any affirmation to a team. Most of my friends at school supported Rangers or Celtic, especially Rangers whilst they went through their 9 in a row. A few mates supported Aberdeen since they were geographically the closest club in the Premier League. However I just couldn't buy into following a team which felt so far away. I could have even supported Nairn County but it was always frowned upon to like someone at that level. It wasn't until 1994 when my father would talk to me about Inverness having a new team merge and compete in the 3rd Division. I didn't really take to it at 1st but it wasn't until the 95/96 season when Caley were drawn home to East Fife in the Scottish cup 3rd round. My father being a Fifer followed East Fife as a youngster and was keen to take the trip to Telford Street for which would be my 1st Caley game. I still remember standing high up the top of the Howden end terraces watching a game under a rowdy atmosphere and I loved it! The game finished a draw and the replay took place in Methil where we won on pens to reach the quarter finals. Our draw put us together at home against Rangers however Telford Street wasn't up to standard so the fixture was moved to Tannadice. My father realising how much I enjoyed the East Fife game and the fact it was Rangers we were playing took me down to Dundee for the game. I was in awe watching the stars of the time Gascoigne, Laudrup, McCoist and so. We lost 3-0 but I didn't care, I just watched my local team from Inverness play the biggest team in Scotland at the time. So from this point the seed had been sown. My dad started taking me to more league games and we watched the club rise. Unfortunately once we reached the 1st Division we started going to less matches as ticket prices increased but my love for the club was there and followed on 20 years later. I alway remember my father being realistic over how Caley Thistle would do in years to come and he would say we would be a competent Championship club maybe lucky enough to get the odd season or 2 in the Premiership. I would never have thought we would be competing so high in Scotland's top division, let alone playing in Europe next year. Add a Scottish cup final to this is unbelievable, I feel I have gone full circle with this, from my first game v East Fife in the Scottish cup in the Howden End to Hampden Park in the final tomorrow. What a 20 years it's been!!...

My biggest worry tomorrow is complacency, so yeah no one should take anything for granted. But as you say I also feel confident about tomorrow so I have expectation of a good result.

There's a very different feeling on the approach to this cup final on comparison to last years league cup. I'm putting it down to a number of factors. The Scottish Cup being a more prestigious competition with more history. The final is at Hampden the home of Scottish football and not Celtic Park. We are also firm favourites unlike last year. I guess last year what I was feeling was hope of winning, this season is expectation. If any of this makes sense haha!!

In 1995 at the age of 11 I was given my first ever Caley Thistle home top as a birthday present from my parents. 20 years on and I still have this prized possession and amazingly it still fits!! I'm in a dilemma of choosing the 95 or this seasons home top. It's a big decision...

It's like Christmas is approaching and Friday is Christmas Eve. I'm struggling to sleep at night for being so excited!

Aberdeen played in their new home kit yesterday and is for sale already.

Pleased to see our former players get called up, hope he does get game time. However same old story they never get recognised whilst at ICT, Hayes will be next, even more so Graeme Shinnie as soon as he's in a Dons shirt.

I don't see what Celtic have got to do with the decision what so ever. Will Celtic be really bothered if Meekings is banned or not... I highly doubt it. The decision means nothing to them. It's the SFA trying to cover their backsides for their appalling officiating and I'm glad the likes of FIFA and Gordon Smith etc have been throwing in their comments today I honestly can't see how the SFA can uphold the ban when the hearing comes round tomorrow.

Flip this the other side, if this was a Caley goal denied by a Celtic handball it would be all forgotten about Monday morning. If anyone is to be punished it's the officials, not Meekings.

Yeah we were good 1st 20 minutes up until we scored but that stirred Partick who went up another level. Once they turned it 2-1 I thought our play was lacklustered, some poor passing and lacking ideas how to break through. Disappointing since Partick weren't fantastic going forward, they were clinical in taking the few chances they had. I can't even pick a player that stood out for us, we were all below par and McKay has gone off colour, he looked like he was still in Hungary. To add the referee was poor yesterday, Higginbotham should have been off. Moving on, I hope this is a wake up call to pull ourselves together for the trip to Rangers.

Conveniently I fly back from America, arriving in Manchester early Saturday morning. 2 hour journey from the airport to Birmingham and I'll be there for the game! I've already booked to stay overnight in Manchester before flying home to Inverness on Sunday. That was lucky planning!

Are we playing 4-4-2 again?

When I first seen it last night I wasn't sure what to think but it's starting to grow on me now. It's certainly a lot better than the all pink rosebury shirts we've had in the past. I honestly think in 20-30 years time this could be a smart iconic/retro top.

Went to the stadium this morning to reserve my tickets. Arrived early to avoid the queue but was surprised there was none. Can't wait for the big day

Did anyone take notice of the bookies odds on the cup favourites on sportscene last night? Apparently Rangers are 2nd favourites behind Aberdeen. I'm a bit surprised with this, I would nearly have all Premiership sides ahead of Rangers unless I'm missing something here. Your looking at Dundee Utd, St Johnstone, Caley and St Mirren remaining.

Transport and accommodation sorted. Just waiting for match tickets now.