ICTFC Squad Update 21/22/23/

[STFU]

Taking a chance on another player who is recovering/just back from an injury?

Did we learn nothing from last season?

[RiG]

17 hours ago, hislopsoffsideagain said:

Apologies if I have missed something, but I haven't seen anything about Tom Walsh?

He's not been mentioned at all recently either in terms of players who have been released or players who were offered new deals. Apparently an Ayr fan has said he was serving ice creams at a local fun day down that neck of the woods. Probably a good indicator of where he's at right now.

[CmonTheCaley]

19 hours ago, hislopsoffsideagain said:

Apologies if I have missed something, but I haven't seen anything about Tom Walsh?

I am pretty sure he is not getting offered a new contract.

[hislopsoffsideagain]

10 hours ago, Jack said:

I am pretty sure he is not getting offered a new contract.

I suspect you're right but as ever it seems pretty shoddy that the club haven't even acknowledged his existence.

[Robert]

They were quick to confirm Boyd and Woods were moving on, announce that Deas had decided to leave, and those they were speaking to about new contracts.

Sutherland and Walsh were not mentioned at that time but then the argument broke out about the circumstances surrounding how Sutherland was informed that he was not getting an offer. We can only assume it is the same with Walsh.

Some recognition is surely not too much for them, and the fans, to expect.

They have been silent on Allardice leaving too despite it being announced by him and then County on Sunday.

As always we need better communication. 

Edited June 21, 2023 by Robert

[IBM]

30 minutes ago, Robert said:

They were quick to confirm Boyd and Woods were moving on, announce that Deas had decided to leave, and those they were speaking to about new contracts.

Sutherland and Walsh were not mentioned at that time but then the argument broke out about the circumstances surrounding how Sutherland was informed that he was not getting an offer. We can only assume it is the same with Walsh.

Some recognition is surely not too much for them, and the fans, to expect.

They have been silent on Allardice leaving too despite it being announced by him and then County on Sunday.

As always we need better communication. 

I wish we had a Media and Communications director 

[STFU]

Hopefully whatever 11 year old Scot Gardiner gets to write his statements will have more time when the schools break up for the summer and Information will get out a bit quicker.

[CmonTheCaley]

I have seen that Billy Mckay's future at the club isn't yet guaranteed as he wants more money that caley are offering. Also seen that we are linked with Ex Ross County player Oli Shaw on loan from Barnsley. 

[caleyboy]

2 hours ago, Jack said:

I have seen that Billy Mckay's future at the club isn't yet guaranteed as he wants more money that caley are offering. Also seen that we are linked with Ex Ross County player Oli Shaw on loan from Barnsley. 

From what I hear it's not money it's length of contract that seems to be the problem.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

It is interesting to note that certain players have been taken off the Club's web page but Billy and Tom are both there....    https://ictfc.com/team/inverness-caledonian-thistle

The league fixtures are out this Friday and we can probably expect more news about new signings or re-signings before then. 

[Duke of Inverness]

14 hours ago, CELTIC1CALEY3 said:

It is interesting to note that certain players have been taken off the Club's web page but Billy and Tom are both there....    https://ictfc.com/team/inverness-caledonian-thistle

The league fixtures are out this Friday and we can probably expect more news about new signings or re-signings before then. 

Interesting observation there CELTIC1ICT3. Cammy Mackay still also on the list. 

[Hearach]

With all the uncertainty surrounding Billy McKay not getting the contract he wants  ( sign him up NOW) I have a question to ask. Have John Robertson, Barry Wilson and Scott Kellacher been given new contracts?

[IBM]

17 minutes ago, Hearach said:

With all the uncertainty surrounding Billy McKay not getting the contract he wants  ( sign him up NOW) I have a question to ask. Have John Robertson, Barry Wilson and Scott Kellacher been given new contracts?

Nothing from the club yet which is not unusual

[Marge1]

Looking like Billy away to Ayr United 

 

[lizi]

I’ve renewed my season ticket but I despair about my ICT and the Board - some of their decisions seem hell bent on alienating the fans.   Billy McKay has been the difference between win or lose since he’s returned.  If young players are hesitating about coming to our Club and hear this is the  way ICT deal with their top players, no wonder they hesitate re coming north.   Even more bad publicity for ICT especially after Shane Sutherland’s bad press. 

You couldn’t make it up.   If Billy goes to Ayr I wish him plenty goals in all his games.  A great guy.  

[Hearach]

Hoping it’s just Twitter talk re Ayr Utd. However if it comes to fruition and depending on what answer is to my previous question I think quite a few fans will seriously rethink season ticket renewal.  Sad times. 

[STFU]

A couple of newspapers now confirming that Ayr are set to sign Billy, so it's more than just Twitter Talk.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

It would be quite a disruptive move for Billy unless Ayr offer him a superb package. One thing to bear in mind is that he is approaching 35 so after two years would be approaching 37.  We cannot forever rely on him scoring.  At present we are short on goalscorers but we do not know what business is being done behind the scenes. Historically we have picked up some good goalscorers late in the day.

[+Fraz]

3 hours ago, Hearach said:

With all the uncertainty surrounding Billy McKay not getting the contract he wants  ( sign him up NOW) I have a question to ask. Have John Robertson, Barry Wilson and Scott Kellacher been given new contracts?

I don't know about the others but as I understand it Kel is an employee of the club in the usual way (and has been for years) and not on a 1/2/3 year contract type deal. 

[Robert]

My interpretation, rightly or wrongly, of our contract position is that we are looking to get promoted next season and, if that does not work, we have the fall back of going part time.

All bar 3 of our committed players for next season are only under contract for next season.

I support Billy seeking a two year deal. This is his last chance for footballing security, and we should meet his demands, particularly as pay doesn’t seem to be an issue.

To potentially lose our top asset to a promotion rival will be serious mismanagement by our leaders. I hope it is just rumour and speculation, but we need to get it sorted and fast!

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by Robert

[RiG]

3 hours ago, CELTIC1CALEY3 said:

It would be quite a disruptive move for Billy unless Ayr offer him a superb package. One thing to bear in mind is that he is approaching 35 so after two years would be approaching 37.  We cannot forever rely on him scoring.  At present we are short on goalscorers but we do not know what business is being done behind the scenes. Historically we have picked up some good goalscorers late in the day.

Like who exactly? Billy Mckay is our most prolific goal scorer in recent memory and no one has scored more than he did last season than since, erm, Bill Mckay in 2013/14. Jordan White was close in 2017/18 (IIRC) but apart from that we have lacked an out and out goalscorer for the best part of a decade.  

Edited June 27, 2023 by RiG

[Jaggernaut]

I really can't believe that ICT would let, not only a proven goalscorer, but a marvelous link player, leave the club due to the length of contract, unless they have some phenomenal stiker waiting in the wings to sign, which I doubt. Surely, with our atrocious injury record, even giving Billy the deal he wants, would make good sense?

[buckett]

He wants to stay so sign him.

Whatever extra cost to the club probably outweighed by sales of season tickets which otherwise might not be renewed!

 

[Marge1]

Maybe it's not all about the money or length of contract being offered 

[Yngwie]

11 minutes ago, Jaggernaut said:

 Surely, with our atrocious injury record, even giving Billy the deal he wants, would make good sense?

Well, giving Billy the deal he wants would certainly make sense for Billy! But not necessarily for ICT. Worst case scenarios from the club’s perspective are that we commit a very high wage that we cannot afford in season 24/25, or that our highest wage is going on a fringe player who by then is way past his best.

Given Billy’s age, the longer the contract, the lower his weekly wage should be, because a year or two from now he cannot reasonably be expected to be as good and as fit as he is now. Maybe the sticking point is that the player wants the same wage for 2 years as was offered for 1?
 

Whatever is going on, I really hope they can find a deal that works for both sides, but I’m not optimistic.