Robert

Nairn suits me just fine, although I’ve a soft spot for Fleetwood, having lived in the Fylde area for 8 years before returning north. The concert is next year by the way.

He makes his debut on 1 July 2022 apparently...... https://ictfc.com/andrea-bocelli-believe-world-tour

In the midst of all this, the Lowland League teams rejected Brechin, who’s preference was to join it rather than the Highland League: http://www.hflhub.co.uk/index.php/2739-brechin-city-to-join-highland-league Given the location of Brechin, there is logic in them preferring the Lowland League as there would probably be less travel overall. Surely the league should have had a choice? What would have happened if the Highland League had taken the same stance? After allowing the Old Firm Colts in, this paints a very poor impression of some Lowland League clubs.

The BBC app article on his appointment quotes him as saying he will have the final say, but he’d be crazy not to ask Robbo his view, and they will be working together to identify targets.

A bit more here about the first game: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scotland-u21s-narrowly-defeated-by-northern-ireland/?rid=4413

Deas and MacGregor both came off the bench. No game time for Harper this time. https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scotland-under-21s-edge-northern-ireland-in-five-goal-friendly-clash/?rid=4413

I agree, but does that apply to no 9 too??? Lol!!

Finally acknowledged by the club: https://ictfc.com/brad-mckay-leaves-club He was not everyone’s cup of tea, but he was always fully committed during his five years with us.

It was and I’ve found this link. Deas got the full match, Harper most of it, and Mackay came off the bench, with MacGregor an unused sub. https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/international-matches/?mid=252492 We play them again at the weekend.

In happy with the appointment, which gives us some continuity. Hopefully he can build on the positive impact he seemed to have towards the end of the season. It would be good to understand exactly what Robbo’s role as Sporting Director is, and how it relates to the Head Coach role as I’m sure I read they both report to the CEO. Whoever is in charge of contracts and recruitment, hopefully we now get progress with the likes of Toddy.

Our season starts on Tuesday 13 July, 6 weeks time. We are at home to Peterhead then and to Stirling Albion on Tuesday 17, then we have Cove away on Tuesday 20 and Hearts away on Sunday 25, a tea time kick off and on Premier Sports.

I was speaking to a neighbour tonight who works with someone with strong County connections, and asked me if we had announced Don Cowie’s appointment today. What he had picked up may turn out not to be the case. Sounds like we will know tomorrow morning. He also said that Mackay has not made a good first impression on the County squad.

The members voted by a majority to accept them.

I didn’t actually say I was in favour of it. I just stated a fact, and noted that there was a mixed view on here when ICT were seeking to play a team in the Highland League a year or two back.

Only 6 years ago but it feels like a lifetime!

Yes, he’s out of contract this summer.

The Lowland League has voted by a majority to allow Rangers and Celtic to play their colt teams in the league next season. Whilst there are mixed views on here about Colt teams playing in the Challenge Cup, this could be a precedent the Highland League follow, allowing us to field a team in the league, along with the lines of County, Elgin etc. It would help our youngsters to develop playing against seasoned campaigners rather than just youngsters.

In with Kingsmills. It all depends on whether we can realistically get a full season of fitness with him. He suffered more than most from lockdown and the lack of a proper pre-season last year, then was unlucky to get crocked when training indoors at the turn of the year. If there is a mutually agreeable wage level within our structure, I’d give him a one year extension with an option for another year if he is fit regularly.

I agree the Championship is our priority, but I disagree with treating the League Cup as pre season warm ups. We are often slow starters, so we should be ready for the cup, look to get good results, boost confidence, actually do enough to get into the last 16, and as a result be ready to start the league campaign well. We all like a cup run and it can bring in extra revenue, which will be badly needed.

With 5 clubs in Europe, only 3 second placed teams will qualify for the last 16, making it even harder to qualify (unless we manage to win the group of course!).

With Devine and Deas our first choice pairing. his move is not a surprise, but he gave us good cover at the back and played a surprising number of games last season. I’d have been happy if he’d stayed. Yes, he made some mistakes, but got more stick than he deserved. He weighed in with a few goals in his time, although he was always one tackle away from a booking! I wish him well unless Falkirk get promoted or we draw them in a cup! With Toshney leaving too, we need to find a decent centre half to bolster our squad and give Fyffe and Nicolson more time to develop. If McHattie stays, he can provide cover, but we would still be light on defenders.

Underwhelming as we’ve had Peterhead before a few times too. At least Stirling is a team we’ve not played for some time. Hopefully we get them at home and we can get in to watch it. We’ve not got past the group for years but hopefully can change that this time round.

Mckay was out of contract so a free agent. Presumably he got an offer from Falkirk that suited him. I’d have been happy had he signed in for us again as, whilst not everyone’s favourite, he generally did ok for us last season. Not heard anything about our other out of contract players.

The draw is live on Channel 422 on Sky at 1300. It is a free to view channel.

It is some clear out! https://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news-items/squad-update