Intertoto Cup

[Libero]

The time of year has come again where Intertoto applications are being considered and it looks like once again we are going to apply. See Article below from the P and J.

CALEY JAGS ARE KEEN FOR SWIFT EURO DECISION 

08:50 - 01 March 2007 

Caley Thistle have called for a swift decision on the club's Intertoto Cup participation as Charlie Christie and his side begin planning for next season.

Inverness lost out to Hibs last season in the bid for Scotland's place in the tournament.

They remain keen on bringing European football to the Highlands for the first time, with the main incentive of a route to the lucrative Uefa Cup.

The Caley Jags did not find out until June that they would not earn a place in the 2006 cup and instead went ahead with a pre-season trip to Italy.

Director of football Graeme Bennett is already laying the foundations for the summer schedule but needs clarification on the Intertoto Cup prospects before booking facilities.

He said: "We have put our name forward and will wait to see how it develops.

"A lot will depend on which other clubs are interested in competing and which clubs can gain a place in Europe through other avenues.

"We had to intimate if we wanted to play in the Intertoto Cup and have told the SFA that we do.

"We're keen to be involved and have been told that a decision should be reached earlier than it was last season.

"That would benefit us when it comes to planning for the summer."

Christie and his players took advantage of facilities in Tuscany last year and the Caley Jags are exploring the possibility of returning to the same country.

Bennett added: "We are likely to go back to Italy for a pre-season training camp and we don't intend to leave it as late to finalise the arrangements.

"If we do get into the Intertoto Cup, we would be able to fit dates for Italy around that.

"The World Cup last year complicated things slightly, but there's a clear summer this year which will make things easier for Uefa."

This year's Intertoto Cup will be open to 50 teams and be staged over three two-legged rounds. The winners of the 11 third-round ties will all win entry to the Uefa Cup.

Scotland's representative will enter at the second-round stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, Bennett insists Nottingham Forest have made no contact regarding Ross Tokely. The English side, managed by former Scotland defender Colin Calderwood, are keen to tempt Tokely to the City Ground.

A few things have to be taken into account though -  i'm pretty sure Aberdeen have expressed an interest in applying, we are not as far up the table as we were this time last season and also the tardiness of the decision about intertoto places last season nearly ruined our pre-season plans......

so should we apply this year or do posters on here think it would be a waste of time?

[caleyboy]

No chance unless we are in the top 6 and we aint. Waste of time even thinking about it at this stage. We should concentrate on finishing as high up as poss and make early preps for pre-season with 3 quality new signings.

[+Gringo]

I really don't think entering this competition would benifit ICT in any way. They'd be far better off organising a few 'high profile' friendlies.

[caleyboy]

I really don't think entering this competition would benifit ICT in any way. They'd be far better off organising a few 'high profile' friendlies.

:025:

[CaleyD]

Aberdeen have been invited to play in some tournament in the Far East so have/are considering withdrawing their application for the Intertoto.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

We have one immediate target and that is to beat Dundee United. Do that and we must beat Kilmarnock away. Then we can make a decision.

So get behind the team again this Saturday because a top 6 finish is still possible but very much at the margin. ICT like to do things the hard way.

[What a Caley on!]

lets go for it.

Better than pre season friendlies and could be a good away trip!!

[Libero]

I voted no but i really cant make my mind up on wheter it would be beneficial or a waste of valuable resources

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

Playing in a European competition is way in front of our present mentality. Bet CC has difficulty picking from the feckin Pizza menu.