Eagle4Caley

As an 'outsider' not even born in Scotland let alone the lovely Inverness, this is quite an interesting thread for me.....on the one hand I would like to think everyone from Inverness would celebrate ICT winning the Cup, however I am reminded that football more than any sport is incredibly tribal (and there's nothing wrong in that) and just because the level of support for the two teams that amalgamated was small in relative terms it probably isn't a surprise that some in Inverness still only identify with their original team, it would be the same if the two Manchester or Liverpool clubs were to merge for instance. Back in the day there was a proposal for Palace and Wimbledon to merge which created quite a stir at that time...indeed when Wimbledon relocated to Milton Keynes a very large proportion of their support were having none of it and formed AFC Wimbledon, whilst arguably MK Dons have gone on to decent things, but as a completely different entity. People often say that that if you cut them their teams colours run through them such is the bond.... I still would like to think that no-one will have begrudged ICT their triumph given the joint ancestry

At the end of the day Graham Shinnie was the guy who lifted the cup for ICT, and as far as I am concerned has always put in a proper shift for us and moved on at the end of his contract not after forcing a move It's a fact of life that a footballers career is short and they will always be looking for a decent (or better payday) as we all do, and if a 'bigger' * club comes calling that tends to be the way of the world.... My only regret is that we got no fee for him 'bigger'* = I have no wish to debate what bigger means except to say that even though my other club Palace have finished 10th and 11th in the EPL that wont stop a whole range of clubs above and below us trying (sometimes successfully) to nick any of our players that have shown decent form, often on the basis that they have a bigger fanbase (and hence resources), pedigree, or better prospects to tempt them with

What game was that before / after? Birmingham - don't you recognise the dodgy pub in the background? I was at that game with Caleymad...it seems suuuch a long time ago, and after the match there were a few concerns for the season from some, ended up OK didn't it?

Tremarco for me...he put in a great shift on Saturday, until he stood on the ball! It can happen to anyone...remember Stevie Gerrards slip last year against Chelsea. If Watkins is going I see Williams being more influential furthur forward

I thought we had everything under control first half, but I agree about Ofere...the worst I've seen him play, and both Christie and Doran were a bit too quiet 2nd half, which meant we were over-run.....Devine was superb, must have won virtually every header. I actually thought Tremarco was having a very good game until he trod on the ball! Watkins was superb and the difference between the two teams, and Vincent's run from his own penalty box to support Watkins and get to that loose ball will live with me for ever

Surely he's already brought ICT to the promised land, by winning 'The Cup' getting us into Europe, and a top three finish in the league.....given the level of resources available compared to others, that's almost as good as it gets I understand your comment about reaping the rewards of others...but that is the case for virtually every successful team (other than perhaps Revies Leeds, Ferguson's Man Utd , and Wenger at Arsenal)...getting this much out of players that are 'not your own' is probably more credible. Look at my other team Palace this season, and compare Pardew with Warnock and how much better one did than the other with virtually the same players...interestingly 6 of Palace's regulars actual played in the championship under Dougie Freedman some 5 managers ago! Yogi has a very different test next season, as we adjust to life without Shinnie, possibly Watkins and Ofere......I see the Europa Cup as a rather different pre-season diversion to a tough challenge of finishing in the top six again

To be fair to the BBC, I watched Sportscene saturday night at my hotel, and thought they did a pretty good job and covered ICT's victory from every angle! I even saw a bit of the victory bash on BBC Breakfast this morning...down here in the south!

The card display was amazing! Well done to all involved....when I saw the pictures of it I choked! I think Falkirk tried sonething similar but it was a bit phish....or maybe they were waving the white flag!

Leaving Gatwick now!

Could very well be wearing a red and blue stripped shirt come Saturday....although the badge will look a bit different!

Great result. To put together a winning run at the end of the season, guaranteeing Europa Cup football and seemingly ignoring the fact we have a 'wee' game to finish the season on, is pretty impressive, and is providing the momentum needed to finish the job This season is going to be very difficult to better next year Just have to get past next week...hopefully Celtic will spend the match enjoying lifting the Championship cup and not inflicting retribution....if they start then Warren at least can risk getting sent off by taking out Scott Brown With Palace ruining Stevie G's send off, I've had one of those lovely football weekends

Inverness Caley Thistle....what a season, can it get any better.......I think it can! Ofere must be the signing of the season!

Fabulous achievement by the club! Let's hope we actually play the 2nd qualifying round by virtue of winning the Cup and get a nice draw somewhere exotic (and at least to a club we actually recognise).....I'm not sure but I think we got something like 120,000 Euro's to play in the qualifying rounds....so should cover expenses and perhaps allows us to sign a player, without interfering with next season too much

unfortunately not. We need to organise a Skype for you during the match!

Great result...I had forgotten it was on, but caught the last 10mins on radio (just as well...not sure my nerves could have taken more) Great that Eddie has scored again, Jamie Vincent seemingly coming into good form at the right time, and Danny Williams looking increasingly important as a player Such an important win against our nearest rivals, with them playing St Johnstone this weekend, we could be confirmed in 3rd place this weekend even if we draw! I think that will be an astonishing feat considering how small our squad is (I wonder if we can get Billy Mckay on loan for a month in July!!)

Carshalton Beeches South London

I decided to bump this given Yogi's achievement of a second Semi final in 12ish months and a Final And still being in 3rd place at this time of the season....even if this is partly to do with Dundee Utd's implosion, given our small squad (and barely an orthodox striker to boot) it is still a major achievement , although I would suspect hanging onto this place with the Final coming up will be a tough call, let's face it who wants to pick up an injury now? If we win the Cup and get into the Europa League next season, he should definitely stay :lol: Next season could be a toughie though

I like Ofere...he's a bit of a lump, but has some skill, and intelligence, what we have to do is to play to each players strengths...with Ofere it is ball to feet or head, with Watkins it is a ball into space, that's only two things the other players have to remember....and tbf they look quite different, so should be easy to spot who is who, and play the ball appropraitely

One minor (and I accept it's minor) plus point from this affair is that Caley have received alot of publicity this week, almost entirely positive, both on TV and in the written media. I've even had people in my office in London talking about the team

I'm so glad for Josh! But in equal measure l'm still so sad for Gary

What would be fairly easy to organise is a mass release of Red n Blue balloons as the lads come out Having been to a few play-off finals and FA Cup semi's and Finals with Palace, I can vouch how good this can come across on TV, and how awesome it can be from the stands Hopefully we will take 10,000 people to the match....so that could be between 20 and 40,000 balloons released Not sure there are that many in Inverness, but can get good deals on the internet Thoughts

First of all I hadn't realised Warren was banned for the final for a second yellow...seems grossly unfair, I thought the Scottish Cup fas the SFA's flagship competition, strange they are so keen to stop players from taking part, given that a) yellow cards can be given out for very minor misdemeanours and b) Scottish refs are worse than English for the confetti like way they dish them out As for Josh Meekings, it would be gutting if he were also to miss the final, on the basis that the officials may have made a mistake,..... the SFA need to prove his actions were deliberate, as he can certainly be seen attempting to head the ball away. As to Celtic and their whining, whinging response, and abuse tweets.....it's to be expected, they are on the whole, arrogant bigotted twats. I hope the SFA and the SPFL will be watching the next league meeting between us very closely for evidence of retribution. Yogi....said on Sunday, he didn't like the idea of going to the final as favourites....the worse case scenario of both Warren and Meekings missing the final certainly evens things up a bit....but hopefully will spur the lads on as well

How about. 'can you hear the Celtic sing?' But seriously.....must be time for 'Yogi Hughes red n blue army' And the 'love you' song

We get more football for our money! Glass totally full moment ...we've won our last two semi's What a lovely trip up for me, the sleeper coach was better than expected, the Clockwork pub excellent for the pre-match drink (well done to whoever sorted that out). Thanks to Top Six for sorting my ticket out, and great to meet our with more members of this forum

Great to be able to watch the whole match down here tghanks to Sky.....in many respects a great result Brill very unfortunate, and not Mackay-Smiths fault at all, he had every right to go for the ball, and barely touched him, I think his knee jarred in the turf, but credit to M-S that he showed so much concern....Esson looked pretty safe, bar a nearly fluffed clearance, he made two or three good saves. Ofere was excellent in his physical presence and ball control, if a little slow and tired later.....I felt he he had been playing more regularly one or two of our players would have got closer to him to pick up knock-ons/passes.....also Christie played a couple of through balls in to space for him, that he was never going to get, ball to feet will be the better option. However the Celtic CB's certainly knew they had been in a game, which bodes well for next week. Largely very impressed with Christie, he did so much closing down to help keep Cetic under pressure and allow others to close down their man....one of our best options Watkins a bit quiet but he was doing alot of defensive work...I wamt him to peak next week not this! Although Celtic were dominant for periods, there were good sections of play for Caley too. Some nice stuff from Tansey and Shinnie especially, and our CB's weren't over-run Overall a solid game for Caley, a well earned point, and we avoided what Celtic did to Dundee U before their cup matches, which was morale damage along with getting suspensions Can't wait for next week! Great result for Palace as well, so I have had a great weekend football-wise