PerfICT

That's fantastic! Well done whoever negotiated that!

Can anyone explain the short odds on Chris Sutton (11-8, 11-10)? Given the competition, he'd be a rank outsider, but somebody's backing him....

Had that thought myself - would make a real splash. However, publicity is always a double-edged sword and, if it goes pear-shaped this would bite us on the @rse. Selection must be strictly on footballing lines and not publicity IMHO.

For me, we need somebody who can first hang on to as many of the current lads to achieve success this year. That means charisma and the ability to get the boys' respect immediately. Projects and 5 year plans are great and should certainly be on the CV, but the opportunity is this year and that means this squad. Who? I haven't got a Scooby....

I don't disagree, all I'm saying is that he clearly felt he had outgrown ICT and had lost all respect for the club. In these circumstances, I'd prefer he left and let us get somebody who has the club at heart than somebody who really doesn't want to be here. Self belief to the extent of arrogance is a pre-requisite in winners - some guys just handle it better than others.

We're simply better off without him. He clearly has no respect for ICT or our fans and has a number of personality flaws (I think IHE might have a theory?) Can't wait to get a new manager and move to the next level.

Renegade - says it as it is! However, after the initial pain followed by fury and betrayal, I'm now feeling really positive: Butcher did us well, but we now have an opportunity to find an even better man to take us to the promised land. Just glad I'm not making the choice!

Sturrock drifting at 25-1. I thought Levein got a pay-off from SFA, so at least he'll not need a big wage!

The 'Barry Ferguson' on Paddy Power is actually Alex Ferguson when you click through, making 500/1 still rubbish odds. Nice one - you'd think that someone might know the difference between Sir A and Mr B Ferguson?! I see that the Burley quoted is "Craig" not "George" too...

Ardiles 66-1 (worth a punt if he's applied?!) Barry Ferguson (thankfully) out to 500-1 with Paddypower, but still <20-1 with others.

Interesting movers in the betting: Levein out to 10-1, now back in at 6-1 Laslo now out to 20-1 Sutton in to 8-1! Nobody has a clue. South American applicants?! Can only be Diego Maradonna - that would be something to stir old Butcher up!

No, no, no, no, no to Shiels or Hughes. Impressed with some of the other names linked with the job, though and it would be good to get Richie involved too.

Shiels - not for us.No, no, no.

...Ah- not so good!

Burley was fantastic at Ipswich (promotion and then Europa league in successive seasons). Relegation the following season was thanks to Europa League distraction + not anticipating a relegation dogfight. At Hearts he was even better, until Romanov decided otherwise (weren't they 2nd in the league at that time?) Scotland wasn't great, especially the Ilewumo/Boyd shambles. I think he could do a job for us, especially with an ICT thoroughbred by his side (Foran or Wilson?)

Hartson at 8-1 is an interesting addition to the market: would be a risk, but interesting! Please not Shiels or Ferguson.

...or Ipswich! Couldn't see him turning that opportunity down when McCarthy bins it. Hibs will give him the chance to answer the "can he handle a big club?" at interview. Given the nonsense this week, he's probably in discussion with the Ipswich chairman already...

Agree - everybody seemed to be in the know except ICT. I'm sure Butcher was tapped up many moons ago...

Excellent - another one off the TB shopping list (unless he stumps up megabucks).

Butcher tapped up, ITC stitched up and Hibs f***ed up! The good news is that the new manager only has to get us to a cup final or finish 3rd to ensure that Butcher is no longer our most successful manager!

Larsson is a strangely alluring option, but would be a risk. Could ask him to bring his boots: even at forty-odd, he'd bag a few. He'd need a steadying influence at assistant. Otherwise, I think I'd need to go with Levein: but please no 4-6-0!

. to show just how bitter I am, I want Dross County to pump Hibs in the cup: end of season for Butcher and co! Plenty of time for them to watch us clean up in all 3 comps!

It is done. Time to find an even better management team. I hope ICT screwed Hibs for all they had....which isn't much. Butcher obviously didn't know that Edinburgh folk are known to be "all fur coat and nae knickers" - any war chest he's been offered will be on overdraft.

This is going to be really tough - there are some shocking suggestions doing the rounds. We need a progressive manager who'll cinstantly command respect from this great group of players so that advances in January can be fended off. I have no idea who could do that, but it's not Jimmy Calderwood, Kenny Shiels etc.I will never be able to see past the 4-6-0 debacle when it comes to Levein, although maybe he could do a job (with Houston?) I love the Larsson idea for some reason, but I don't think he had much of a managerial record in Sweden and he'd probably not come anyway. Robbo and Wilson? Robertson sounded prety keen on the radio before the Hibs game (maybe I'm reading too much into it!), but I'm not convinced by the idea. Burley was excellent at Ipswich and Hearts - again couldn't cope with the Scotland job. Equally Hartley, Pressley etc: would they really command this team from the off? No idea! Good luck to Kenny and the board - I'm sure they'll get it right.....but not Shiels or Calderwood, please.

Fantastic performance by every player and supporter of ICT - shame it wasn't matched by our crest-fallen manager. The "Butcher, what's the score?" chant was crystal clear on the radio and said it all. Well done to everybody who went down to ER.