Council Juice

Na I was just crediting Rangers (and Celtic) for tying these events into trying to raise money for Clach. It will bring further good publicity I imagine and that generally helps bring in revenue. And I think ICT should be more proactive with roadshows or at least more vocal about it.

Spot on! I voted no. Simply because whilst I fully understand the guys reasonings, why should he let his dreams be ruined by the actions of some tosspot? It would probably show a more "up yours JT" to let it come across like it's not getting to him. It's a very tough choice to have made. And will probably reduce the risk of any divisions in the squad which was included in his reasoning. I dont really care. But hey, if it hinders the England team.... all the better eh!

Hansen is very coy, if you watch him. Sure he'll talk up the English team and highlight their strengths, but if they fail to do what is expected and lose or draw a game, watch for a wry smile. Very subtle. And often it will be followed by him picking apart any faults made. In a neutral analyst type of course. Doesn't gloat. And it really infuriates the likes of Wright (most ridiculously biased pundit ever) to see all the fallicies of their team picked apart in the fairest of ways.

Its not racist in the slightest. Saying you dont want someone to win as a joke isn't racist is it? Or has the world become so ridiculously PC that we are not allowed to make comment on anything in case we offend? England are Scotlands main rivals therefore it is natural that we dont want them to do well. Forget all the belittling comments from the media and ancient abuse on our land. Its pure and simple rivalry. Of course we gloat about the fact we beat them in 67. We were the 1st team to play them and beat them post winning the World cup. " We won the world cup in 66'" " yeah, then we beat you!" Beating world champions for a team that Im not sure even qualified for the 66 tournament is no mean feat. And its even bigger considering its our fierce rivals. Does any ICT fan ever want County to do well? Would we not find it more amusing seeing them crash and burn? Do Everton fans call for Liverpool to win them premiership? It's a little dig at not wanting the English team to do well. Its half hearted at best. Really no point reading more into it. On one note though, the publicity will have done wonders for their business.

eeewww you quoted black eyed peas... be ashamed... very ashamed!! You knew the lyrics. What does that say? tut tut tut :P

Fifa and the CAS are very different. How often do you hear of appeals to the CAS overturning the Fifa ruling. It seems to happen alot. I dont really have a clue, like anyone else, who is right. Just that the club obviously think they have a valid right of appeal otherwise wouldn't be following it up and paying for it. Marius went to Bucharest. Thats fact. What personal business he had to sort out is anyones guess. Sort out a deal with Dinamo 1st and get them to bid when he had got his contract? perhaps? maybe he just went on Honeymoon. Though I thought most went away from home to do that. Say Rome, NY etc? Perhaps we approached Dinamo or they approached us and the fact he was in Bucharest made it seem the deal was all sorted before he had a contract agreed. I dont know. Nobody (bar perhaps Stevieco) seems to really.

Depends whether money is already invested in staff (ie catering) and policing for the game that day. I'd imagine it would still have to be paid for and therefore it would be in the clubs best interests to get the game on 1st time round.

Looking at that last comment I'd also agree. Good managers would not allow situations like Boyds to appear and would have handled any **** up far more effectively. He'd work out a system to utilise all his players best attributes as opposed to trying to fit them into an ill balanced, ill disciplined, quagmire.

He is bang on in saying that it should be an honour to play for your country and that no one should pick and choose when they can play, however we live in changed times from the Stein era. Players are molycoddled nowadays and get far more leeway right across the board. They also earn alot more than they used to and want to protect their career and salary. Players in Steins era would be hesitant for pulling out with a broken leg. Nowadays if a hair is out of place they're off to see a specialist in London.

Why? It should be interesting to compare the local lads skills with the Rangers youngsters when they train together during the roadshow. Seemingly any player who shows a certain degree of flare and skill will be invited to Murray Park at the end of the season. The roadshow is open to boys and girls aged 7 to 16 years. Can't believe Im saying this, but credit where credits due to Rangers on this one. And Celtic. Not only are they helping out a team in need of the money but giving young kids the chance to impress and earn themselves a career. Wonder if ICT would ever think of doing something like this to get young players to join. Or are we just going to take the left overs? I think we've done roadshows etc in the past. Open trials etc. But we should get involved in anything to help Clach.

My team would be (using squad) - Gordon - Hutton - Caldwell - Berra - Wallace - Thompson - - Brown - Fletcher - - Miller - - - McFadden- - Boyd - I think that's pretty close to our best 11 and i think that Levein will certainly opt for some variation on 4-5-1. The line-up you offer should be great for when we play Liechtenstein, but for the Czechs and the Spanish i think we will need to be a bit more conservative. With the same defence: -------------Fletcher-----Thompson------------- Robson-------------Brown---------------McFadden ----------------------Miller------------------------ Steven Fletcher could also be considered for the lone striker's role, with Boyd coming of the bench if need be. Looking at it again it probably is a little offensive. I'd probably get big Lee McCulloch sitting in behind the midfield and drop Boyd for the games against Spain and Czech Rep. Particularly away from home. Whilst I do rate the striker there can be such a think as being to gung ho. He'd probably be best served as a sub in those games should a change in methods be required. And Lee Mcculoch offers alot at set pieces with his physique. He's had a good season and could do well in sitting role.

It is about time we did stick with a basic idea of strip. Stripes. Blue and Red with black n White trim. Fair enough change the design a little. Move bits about and stuff. But have a core base of the stripes.

Ha Ha... might have known that was coming. But Im sure as a true Scotsman 1st and formost you'll get behind the whole team irregardless of what you think of them personally. On the actual squad which is: Goalkeepers: Alexander (Rangers), Gordon (Sunderland), Marshall (Cardiff City); Defenders: Hutton (Tottenham), Berra (Wolves), Caldwell (Wigan), Dixon (Dundee United), Kenneth (Dundee United), Wallace (Hearts), Webster (Dundee United, on loan from Rangers) Whittaker (Rangers), Midfielders: Adam (Blackpool), Brown (Celtic), Dorrans (West Brom), Fletcher (Manchester United), Hartley (Bristol City), McCulloch (Rangers), McFadden (Birmingham), Robson (Middlesbrough), Thomson (Rangers), Forwards: Boyd (Rangers), Fletcher (Burnley), Iwelumo (Wolves), Miller (Rangers) Im a bit suprised by the call up of Dixon, because it may be little early for him, and Kenneth, as he's maybe not yet ready for International Football. I find it odd to omit the vice captain irregardless of his situation unless agreed between McManus and Levein. I would perhaps have seen Danny Fox in there in front of Dixon. A little bit more experienced. Good with set pieces also. But I do understand Leveins reasons in that he is looking for a left back to make the role his for years to come. And it might have been better to have someone like Commons, Cowie or perhaps Snodgrass instead of a 5th sitting midfielder in Hartley who is a Bristol City bench player. Again in saying that, it's probably good to have a couple of mainstays in the squad. Iwelumo.....hmmmm, is splitting my opinions. I have never actually seen him doing anything more than misdirect headers and knock ons, miss easy chances and fall over. But Emil Heskey used to bring out the best in Owen doing this and it seems to work alongside Rooney too, so utilised correctly, big Chris could cause continental la de da defenders problems and create space for others to flourish. My team would be (using squad) - Gordon - Hutton - Caldwell - Berra - Wallace - Thompson - - Brown - Fletcher - - Miller - - - McFadden- - Boyd - I also think it's a fairly strong squad. A few suprises. But it's not whos there... its how Levein uses whats there and that he gets the best out of them and a good system that works.

Yeah, come to think of it he is.

Aberdeen are a top 6 SPL side with a chance of a cup run to the later stages. Nothing more. Jimmy Calderwood took them into Europe beyond Christmas but that wasn't good enough for them mugs. I doubt even a title would suffice some of the idiots at that club. They along with every other Scottish club outside the filth are also rans. Unless a huge financial boost is on the cards, then they should learn to accept it and set their goals at more realistic heights

They're brothers Do you think it would be worth trying to get Andrew Shinnie on loan next season perhaps? Was he not at Dundee last season? Surely the fact his brother plays for ICT would have some weight in getting him up here (if he's any good. And I imagine Graeme would still have to be here and getting a look in.)

I like that design. Maybe replace the blue sleeves with black. But it's a stellar design nonetheless.

I would agree with the sentiment that it would be nice to see our kids get a chance at a higher level than highland league. Division 2 or 3 perhaps. I mean if we had loaned out Rory Mac to the 2nd division it's likely he would have coped well as evident by his scoring exploits this season. I dont really know why we can't put more faith in youth. Though I'd have thought TB would be the man to do it if anyone was given that he HAD to rely on them a Well. And you only have to look at how Hamilton have faired by trusting their younger players to mix it with the experience.

Did hear somone mention a 16 team league but you cant drop gate money so would imagine it would be home and away once and a league split 8/8 and play 7 more games =37 that would give county a good chance of getting in to the SPL the following year. I would say McGees days are numbered. the bizzare thing is he fielded a weaker team against Celtic, he got slated for that too, as he wanted the best team for the cup game. Could you not have an 18 team league without a split and go for the 34 games like Italy and thus freeing up time for a winter shutdown? Then there could be two leagues below of 12 or 1 of 24. Only problem is whilst there are certainly 6 more teams with 6000 seats, there aint much beyond that. Oh and on topic HA HA HA HA! If Aberdeen were to ever get relegated, going on this evidence they'd really struggle given the amount of lower league teams that give them a pumpin in the cups.

For a moment there I thought we were getting Andrew Shinnie(Rangers kid) on loan. I think he's Graemes brother or cousin as he's listed in favoured personell in FM. And is from the same place. Back to topic - If he's not going to get a game here, then getting out on loan will do him the power of good. So I'll take it as good news.

Surely it would be more beneficial then to pay Clach (or someone else) an annual fee and then use them as a place to send our u19s for competitive action.

I don't but the DoF and co have previous poor form when it comes to dilly dallying around new contracts. Often waiting till it's too late.

It would probably be in the clubs interest to get an affiliate of some sort. One where we could farm out the more promising young guys if they're not ready for first team action at ICT for a year or 2. Get them game and 1st team experience whilst keeping them together albeit at another club. Both teams would benefit.

I like the snowboard cross. One of the compeditors last time out was way ahead in 1st and decided to do a trick of one of the jumps and failed on the landing. Got overtaken. Would they have done the same again. You bet they would. Because they are ALL nuts.