Council Juice

In fact I think he'll find he's in some very good company...

If you think Rooneys was bad....

Have to say Blackpool have been a breath of fresh air in the premiership. Despite some early season hammerings to the big boys (after thumping Wigan yourselves) you just don't seem to know when to quit. I love how you have a go against everyone. In some ways Blackpool remind me of ICT. Small provincial clubs with limited budgets. They always try and have a go and the team is built on work ethic and there is a tight moral between the group of players. When we 1st came up no one gave us a chance. We stuck it right to them and stayed up. Hope you do the same. And I can't help but love Holloway. His rants and speeches are spectacular and hilarious. English managerial cult legend. Terry's not far off himself at times. Always on about a bottle of claret and will occasionally unleash a rant similar to the other weeks. His attitude to the job and his self confessed love of the city have secured him a strong bond with the support. Good to hear from one of the seasiders and good luck for the rest of the season!

I think I must have blinked and missed that. That deserves applause. How about a green dot?

I'd take Invincible, if only to get him on the back of the shirt.

Have to say it was a sweet goal he scored. Maybe it just goes to show what confidence can do to a player, even if he is playing at a lower level now.

That tackle is no worse than what Lee McCulloch done to Samaras in the 1st Old Firm game of the season. And he escaped a 2nd booking. Naturally there was going to be a spotlight on Black after the Jelavic tackle (which was poor) and with it being on Diouf who's had a fair share of press himself it was bound to be highlighted. As far as I can see, a foul, a yellow, yes. "horror challenge" Not on your nelly. No chance. As already stated McCulloch does it every week. And Ian Black has had a bad challenge on him before. Much worse than that. It was against Rangers at Tynecastle last season I believe. Kevin Thompson recieved a straight red for it.

The reason there are no ICT players in the squad is that Bell is seen as a youthful prospect ideal for 3rd choice. Tokely and Munro are fair enough ICT stalwarts and faithful servants but they haven't shone so much they could replace the current lot. They are also getting on. Levein has to look forward. Duncan and Duff are in any area where Scotland are strongest. Full of premiership players. Proctor not good enough. Ross and Shinnie have only just broken into the team. Will serve under 21 apprenticeships. Sutherland is another on the verge. Thats about it in terms of ICT Scots. Most of the Scotland team play for the Old Firm (top 2 scottish teams) in the premiership/championship, or at bigger clubs than ourselves. It's inevitable ICT players more than most will struggle to play for the Scotland team. Laterly, I have to ask, does anyone feel any of the current crop, aside from maybe Esson, are good enough? As for the team I'd like to see a 4-4-2 or attack minded 4-5-1. - Gordon - - Hutton - Caldwell - Berra - Bardsley - -Adam - Brown - - Snodgrass - Morrison - Commons - - Naismith - Darren Fletcher and Lee McCulloch would have been stationed in the deeper midfield roles but are both out. Dorrans would be in there as well if fit and I'd push Adam forward and drop Brown. I can't abide by Miller in a lone front role. For all his energy he lacks the fundemental ability to hold the ball up to bring others into play. He is best alongside another front man. I also am sick of the sight of him fluffing it in front of goal for Scotland when 1 on 1 with keepers. *As McArthur appears to be getting a shout, put him in alongside Brown perhaps and move Adam forward. I'd quite happily see Jamie Ness called up. Former Celtic defender Kennedy was brought in after a dozen games and whilst it ended badly (through no fault of his own) surely can't do any harm. He doesn't need to play. Just allows Levein to get a look at him in training as I for one have been very impressed. Where are all the forwards?

I think Esson just, just edges it for me as he is number 1 and it is an old firm team and he has the experience. However I would in no way have any trouble having Tuffey there as he has played his part getting there and probably deserves to continue.

But if we did that Finger, how else would we able to put him in his place? I would imagine drops in attendance in the cup generally tend to stem from them being additional costs to season tickets. It's another expense. Not that Im suggest Season ticket holders avoid cup games. It's just that having already paid for their season they might not fancy paying for another one off ticket for themselves and perhaps the rest of the family. As well as the usual travel costs. Then you can take other variables into the equation. Weather, level of opposition etc I know Im not a great supporter myself. I dont attend alot of games but when I do I get right behind the team. My team. I buy my shirt most seasons. Sometimes home and away (if 2 new released or buy them alternate seasons) When we win I feel dapper all weekend. Pleased as punch. When we lose I feel deflated. Though Im usually too busy in the 'Burgh to attend games (work or seeing friends) I respect all ICT fans who unite with their fellow fan and get behind the team. The definition of support in my eyes is SUPPORTING the team whenever you can. I'd rather get behind the team half a dozen times a season than attend every game to abuse them and my fellow supporter. And there is nothing more soul destroyingly crushing than watching your team relegated on your birthday. Whilst nursing the previous nights drunken debauchery.

Ok to sum up (and get it clear in my own head) In - Alex McDonald (Burnley, loan), Aaron Doran (Blackburn, loan), Chris Hogg (Hibs, free) Out - Zilch, zip, hee haw sqwat. (McBain move to Brechin fell through, No formal Rooney offer) Oh wait McCann went back to Hibs did he not.

A bit of a farce that we had to wait until the back of 5 for the game to be called off. You'd think there was someone closer to Inverness that could do it. And even save the match ref the jouney if unplayable. But we all know how Scootish football, especially the SPL, works.... it doesn't.

I really think Fletcher has went and shot himself in the foot by not even bothering to talk to Levien directly. Even if he just said he wanted to concentrate on getting in the Wolves team scoring goals Im sure that would be an acceptable enough reason. I just hope it's not because he wants to join Rangers Think this is a little harsh. He's a regular for Burnley and has 10 goals in 27 in the Championship. It's not bad. Yes he did miss THAT sitter but it doesn't necessarily make him a bad player.

Seems that Butcher looked at my prediction for team selection and took it seriously. I was only joking Bad time to concede. Lets give em what for 2nd half!

Hmmmm - - Esson - - Tokely - - Cox - - Duff - - Duncan - Ross - - Sanchez - - Foran - - Shinnie - - Sutherland - - Rooney - Lets go nuts and attack them from the off. They'll never know what hit em!

In short that ^

I don't think Gil will ever be a regular, not now, but I reckon he could be a useful squad member. He came in as a good prospect and there was a bit of a buzz around him. He's just got an injury at the worst possible time for him (and us). I'm not sure if he's going to make the grade. Not because I don't think he has the ability, just sometimes football is about good luck and good timing. With any luck he'll come in and play a blinder and become a regular fixture. It's probably unlikely but Im sure we all hope it happens if it benefits the club.

Have to disagree with you there. He always seems to be a thorn in our side when he comes to TCS. He hasn't done so well at Hibs but he was a great player for Killie. I can remember back in the day when he was on loan at Clyde, albeit as a youngster, they all thought he was fairly useless too. He knows where the back of the net is, I'll give him that, but the rest of his game is very poor.

I'd love to see Rooney stay but the longer the contract goes unsigned the less likely it seems. Whilst I've often noted to myself and others than he misses just as many as he scores I think thats as much testement to his movement and positioning as much as anything. He is always roundabout the right areas of the pitch when needed and nearly always on the end of chances created. He is always giving defenders something to think about with his movement and in addition to this rarely gives them a moments piece. So whilst not brilliant in the air, and a bit hit or miss in the clinical finishing department, his overall movement is class and he has good presence. I feel if he goes to hibs he'll be like everyone else who does and get sucked into the misery there. PS I'd welcome back Rankin. He was hounded out by Brewster who then realised his error when it was far too late. But I'd like to keep Rooney more. How about Rooney to sign new contract and Rankin a pre contract? Play Rankin behind Rooney, flanked by Foran and Hayes with Duncan and Cox behind them. Oh it'd be nice! With Ross and Sutherland to come in where needed. Oooft!

I think the problem we have is any more established experienced player would expect to play and while we need to take the pressure off the likes of Rooney and Hayes without heaping all the expectation to fill in any gaps on Ross and Sutherland. At the same time it would be wrong to take away any 1st team chances away from Ross and Sutherland. I think we really need to hope that the likes of Gil, now back from injury, and Sanchez, who made an impression last weekend albeit against 3rd division opposition (still a very well taken goal), can come in and help out. If we get anyone in it will probably be a loan. He would have to be flexible and able to play in more than one position. I think at least longer term we need a quicker centre half. The likes of Tokely and Munro are both strong and good in the air but I think it would be good to see some pace there. Problem is good reliable and pacey centre halves are hard enough to find at the best of times. I just hope Hayes is available again sooner rather than later.

I can think of a few desicions that have benefitted Celtic this season in 1 match against ICT alone, never mind the last 3. Jonny Hayes in 1st 30 seconds of the game bursts into the box and is blatantly taken out (By Mulgrew or maybe even Hooliveld). Result- no pen and Hayes in a heap. Later on in the same game (as already noted) Ledley sythes him down in the middle of the park (Perhaps Lennon had him targetted, he seems the type.) Result no booking Hayes effectively done in. Job done. Celtic won 9-0 against Aberdeen. Result flatters them somewhat, especially considering 2 of the 3 penalties were debatable and one was clearly a dive (Maloney I think) and Im sure them was a foul in the build up to another. As for the decisions that have went against Celtic this season that the ugly wee ginger paranoid one has complained about :- - Dundee Utd. Ref CORRECTLY reverses descision to give a penalty for Celtic. Celtic still run out winners. There is some confusion as to how the decision was made, however it is irrelevant as both the decision was correct and it never had any baring on the overall result. Celtic win 2-1. - Hearts. Ref sends off Joe Ledley for a two footed lunge through Ian Black. UWGPO argues that he won the ball. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to realise going over the top studs up, two footed and through the player to do this is often deemed as dangerous play and as Steven Gerrard has never learned often results in a red card. I must note that Celtic should have had a penalty but they were truely awful anyway and deserved to lose. Lets make it 2-1(assuming they score penalty) as opposed to 2-0. UWGPO launches a foul mouthed tirade at the 4th official and is subsquently sent to the stand. -Rangers. Willie Collum awards Rangers a penalty after a big baldy root vegetable places 2 hands on Kirk "limited ability" Broadfoot and sticks his leg out. Willie Collum has his back to the majority of the incedent(noted), however his head is turned in the correct direction(duly ignored) and he awards a penalty. It is a soft penalty but technically correct. Rangers win 3-1. - Hamilton. Forrest is sent off for a rash lunge. Celtic will appeal. Jim McAllister is also sent off for near identical foul. Hamilton seem to have accepted it. Willie Collum shows consistency here. Something managers are always on about. Note that certain managers only want consistency if it benefits their team. Ball swings back out of play after corner is taken. Celtic score, correctly ruled out. Canning looks to be offside when Hamilton score so thats one that has went against Celtic however during such incidents it is easy to see why a linesperson could miss it. score 1-1. Overall of 6 calls made 4 of them were correct and Celtic can be agrieved about 2. One for a handball the ref probably missed (v Hearts) and the other a missed offside call. Hardly an agenda. In essence while UWGPO calls up every desicion against his team, then comes out with "Your expecting me to critise the ref but Im not going to" in other words Im as good as saying the ref made calls against us by saying that I shall not. Your not smart Neil. Stop trying to be. This man has frequently since the DUFC game called every decision against his team into question yet has recieved not one charge of direpute. If you all remember the SFA have an agenda against Celtic. Funny how Levien would just have to step out of line once at Hearts and be fined (which he legally refused to pay) and yet others get away with it weekly. He deserves his 6 game ban for his Hearts tirade and subsiquential appealing(in a blatant attempt to further bring direpute and disruption as well as further delay the ban). It should be longer if anything. If one team is going to consistently question an organisation and the match officials, whilst it isn't right, they might find it alot harder to get the more debatable calls in their favour and at the same time their rivals or opposition might get the benefit of the doubt. I have to say I've not seen any evidence of this at all. I also do not expect to see any. For whilst our refs might not always be the best, and have many flaws, they do come across as fairly honest and have integrity. Some might be arrogant and not talk to players and club officials but they don't cheat.

Good to see the guy out there plying his stuff. Always thought he could have made it. With luck and hard work he'll get himself back up the leagues as he's got talent. Glad the injuries all healed up too.

I've never said anything before but others have picked up on it. Why is every comment you make some sort of dig at the club, players or (supposedly fellow) fans? Im not sure whether your trying to get a rise out of people (for usually no real reason) or because you just dont really know all that much or maybe your just new to all this supporting thing. We are not a huge club. We can't include some of the facilities larger clubs have. All SPL teams generally have poor turn outs against lower league opposition and are often outsung by the swollen, exuberant, diddy team lot. It is noticable when fans don't turn up especially for a smaller top flight team like ourselves. But these days people pick and choose games, especially addition cup games as watching football is pretty expensive nowadays. So really why so negative? County fan?

Am I missing something or is therea reason people are dropping our captain (Foran) from the next game?

These type of games always have the potential to be a bit of a struggle. This was effectively Elgins cup final. They had nothing to lose. We cruised through the majority of the game it seems, but were wastful in front of goal. We've struggled of late in the league so Im sure that TB and MM will be happy to get the game done and dusted first time around even if it was a case of better late than never. It wasn't a vintage performance, we huffed n puffed a little but no team has a devine right to give a "wee" team a doing over especially if they come and give it their all (Players and fans) Most Caley fans probably only went along as it was the only game they had on. Everyone would prefer a big game. But you go along to watch your team anyway. Against the likes of Elgin its hardly suprising there wasn't a great deal of noise. Not alot to get noised up about really. And if getting the job done is embarrassing, Dougal, then perhaps spare a thought for the likes of Sunderland (beaten at home by Notts County) Newcastle (well beaten by Stevenage), Boro (beaten by Burton Albion) and Blackpool (beaten by Southampton). It's a one off national cup game. Sometimes you win easily, sometimes it's more of a struggle. Sometimes theirs upsets. Sometimes you get away with a replay. Sometimes the replay is reliving the nightmare. But it's cup football. All form and standard goes out the window. It's anyones game.