Kmcalpin

I heard on the BBC that the Old Squirm could go their own way. Now what exactly would this involve? What if they did and the other 10 clubs wouldn't co-operate? What games would they broadcast? OF home games? Would they require other clubs' agreement to televise them at Ibrox & Parkhead?

Seconded. Hopefully Falkirk will beat us to him. However we shouldn't get carried away. The story is in the Record after all.

Going by Michael Grant's article in Sunday Herald and I quote "Aberdeen moved quickly yesterday after Celtic let McGhee know that despite widespread speculation he would not be offered the chance to replace Gordon Strachan. Aberdeen had been waiting for clarity on the Celtic situation and as soon as they had that their chairman, Stewart Milne, approached his Motherwell counterpart, John Boyle, and asked for permission to speak to McGhee." Now how would Mark McGhee know that Aberdeen were interested in him? Presumably then and as soon as Celtic let MMcG know that he wasn't in the frame for the Celtic job someone connected with him spoke to Aberdeen to tip them off. By the Saturday evening he could even confirm to Mr Grant that Scott Leitch would also join him at Pittodrie. It must have been one helluva busy Saturday. Its just a pity that Mark couldn't have moved with the same secrecy and speed in the transfer market for us!

My thoughts exactly Al. According to the Official site, Aberdeen approached us sometime on Saturday. At the very latest the Sunday Herald interview was also conducted on the Saturday. It could not have taken place that late in the day given that articles had to be written up, edited and the paper printed by midnight.

I would be extremely surpised, extremely, if Mr McCall was offered the post.

Interesting trawling through Falkirk Fora. Names such as Russell Latapy, Steven Pressley, Ian MacCall and Jim Calderwood are cropping up in connection with their job. Billy Reid and Jim Gannon also being mentioned. Who would believe it?

Yes but what has he really achieved at Dingwall? Does he have contacts down south? Could he tap into the English transfer market?

Not a great fan of Darryl Broadfoot but he's spot on. I don't think I've ever come across a situation where the manager concerned announces that he's taking up a new post whilst both the clubs involved say publicly that there's been no official contact. Unless the clubs are telling porky pies then its a clear case of tapping. Whatever else it doesn't say much for Mark McGhee, especially when mention is made of taking some current employees with him.

I'm really quite surprised at Jimmy Calderwood's popularity. He had buckets of (virtual) cash at Dunfermline whilst rivals like ourselves were cutting back. That gave him a temporary advantage. He then went to Aberdeen and achieved little given his budget. Would anyone say the current Dons side was attractive or particularly successful? He constantly moaned that he needed more cash there. Does anyone think he'd get it at Fir Park? If so dream on. I think JC is a complete non starter

I would be very disappointed if JC came to Fir Park - doubt if he'd want the job anyway. He spent a lot of cash at East End Park and left in unpleasant circumstances. He then joined the 3rd/4th biggest team in Scotland and failed to punch their weight especially in cup competitions. He then constantly bleated about not having enough cash to spend. What has he built with a lot of dosh at Pittodrie? A solid but pretty dull side.

Almost certainly Chris McCart is a non starter. He's stated in the past he wants to remain in youth development and has no desire to make the transition into management. Aside from that he will be on a very significant salary at Parkhead.

Not sure about Scott Leitch. He didn't exactly shine at Ross County but to be fair they were in the midst of a financial cutback at that time. Yes, JB specifically brought him back to FP & any new manager was told that SL's position at the club was sacrosanct. In short JB showed some loyalty to him. All that said he was ready to move to Tynecastle with MMcG. Certainly he has family ties in Motherwell. As we all know through bitter experience a good No 2 doesn't always make a good manager.

My thoughts exactly. Looking at the Scottish game the only realistic candidate is Billy Reid and I don't think he'll move from Accies for another couple of years. In short we need an experienced replacement - no rookies please. Some of the names mentioned on here would be a gamble at best and some like Gary MacAllister are complete non starters. Unless we have some surprise candidates I would reckon someone from England would be the best bet.

Not overly concerned that they might have an interest in Smith and Hughes - they signalled their intention to leave months ago anyway. Like others, I'd be much more concerned about their interest in Clarky. Just curious - how did the Sunday Herald come up with a valutaion of £300,000? Presumably it was just creative journalism? I've no problem with him going to Aberdeen per se but for £300,000? Come on.

It strikes me in all this media frenzy that the only voice not to be hard is that of John Boyle or MFC. A bit disappointing that all this seems to be happening to our club rather than us being proactive. Not only the very real prospect of losing our manager but even "in contract" players being mentioned along with their value! Is their a "For Sale" sign up in the Fir Park window!

From the Aberdeen P & J. "The 13-day wait has been torturous for Dons supporters but the wheels are finally set to move into motion this weekend as Aberdeen edge closer to appointing a new manager. The Dons' fate has been entwined with that of SPL rivals Celtic, who are also managerless. Aberdeen are waiting to discover if the Hoops will appoint Motherwell manager Mark McGhee – the Dons' prime candidate. Celtic, Aberdeen and McGhee are involved in a managerial Mexican stand-off and the first to pull the trigger will set off a chain of events that will see new appointments early next week. Aberdeen have several candidates in mind but will hold off working through their alternative shortlist until Celtic clarify McGhee's position this weekend. McGhee is wisely keeping his options open and, while the Celtic job naturally appeals, the Dons position is an appetising alternative for the Gothenburg Great. McGhee told the Press and Journal: "I have not received any calls to tell me I am in the frame for any job but, likewise, I have not any calls to tell me that I am not." Neither Celtic, Aberdeen, Motherwell or McGhee were last night in a position to reveal their hands, but moves are afoot." Having thought things over carefully, I have come to the view that I'd prefer him to move on. He had an excellent first season followed by a reasonable second one, albeit we failed to perform in just too many critical games. From a dispassionate analytical perspective it would have been good to see how he coped with a third one. However, the constant speculation has become a serious irritant and indeed problem for the club. I can't ever recall such continuous speculation over a previos manager. Its making long term and indeed short term planning virtually impossible. We make our next European appearance in a few weeks time with pre season training before that, the prospect of a very thin squad and its now quite probable that we'll be changing managers. What players are going to sign in thise circumstances? The only fear for me is who would replace MMcG. Of all the names mentioned, perhaps prematurely, not one fills me with any confidence. The position of Scott Leitch is also interesting. Reportedly he was also given a healthy wage rise when he was about to walk away from FP on his way to Tynecastle. Does that influence what we would pay for a new manager, assuming he isn't appointed himself? JB has been very loyal to him - how will that influence matters? A lot of questions and the clock is ticking.

Certainly the current situation is very disruptive to the club especially in view of our early start to the new Europa Cup. Yes, the very public speculation is upsetting for us all but what concerns me more is the behind the scenes manouvreing. The days of an interested club courteously contacting the managers' current club seem to be well and truly over. No doubt agents are acting as go-betweens sounding out their clients and conducting negotiations behind the backs of their clients' employers. Whenever I hear the phrase "I've had no offical/formal contact from Club X" I always think "Ok but what about the unofficial contact through an agent"? Take Celtic for example - I don't believe for a minute that they haven't contacted the likes of Martinez, Coyle and Mowbray to sound them out. Its simply unthinkable that they would condone public links without consulting the individuals concerned. If Celtic/Aberdeen (delete as appropriate) have been wrongly linked to these names then why haven't they come out publicly and quashed these stories? Aberdeen will have been exactly the same. Murky dealings indeed.

In terms of planned ins and outs Mark McGhee has said that he wants to bring in a midfielder and central defender plus replace any players who leave. I assume that would include Bob Malcolm.

The problem is that we will have been affected more than most. The payments that are due are "top ups". In the top six, all clubs have been paid on the basis of finishing 6th - so Hibs will not have bene affected at all, whilst Rangers have been affected most. In the bottom six, ICT will not have been affected, whilst we've been affected most. This is not just about Setanta going bust but how the SPL distributes the cash. Would it not have been better to dish out the monies on a proportional basis - i.e every club loses the same amount pro rata? That said, I'd expect Hamilton and Killie to suffer pretty badly, given their debts.

Spot on Sir. That is the crux of the problem. Increasing numbers of footy fans only want to watch the best. Who wants to watch a team that doesn't turn it on every week? Who wants to watch their team go through a season trophyless? Nothing whatsoever wrong in that I guess. However its simply not sustainable. Taken to its logical conclusion we'll end up with a European super league of perhaps 14 teams playing each other 4 times a season with the quality of football declining as small feeder clubs like Ajax, PSG, Bayern Munich and Aston Villa go to the wall.

Today's Rancid story is simply a rehash of the Press & Journal story of a few days ago, as I posted before. According to the P & J Mark McGhee is now on holiday. I know no more than the next fan but it appears to me that a lot of the business is done through the "interested club" and the managers' agent. Matters will be at an advanced stage before official contact is made with the manager's current club.

Good idea Leeann. I may have a few bits and pieces that I could contribute to a deserving home. What better place than the home of MFC.

Remember that if we played at NDP we'd be effectively handing one of our SPL rivals a 5 figure sum to boost their war chest.

The best - beating Dundee 6-3 at Dens Park in the 70s. Last season's 4-0 drubbing of Dundee United is one of the better ones. The worst? Last season's 1-0 defeat to Falkirk at their place last November must rank as one of the worst. Probably too many horrific performances to recall!

According to today's Press and Journal, Aberdeen is losing patience with Mark McGhee's dithering. According to them he is holding off to wait on Celtic's call (if that ever comes). The Dons aren't prepared to wait on him forever. It is the P & J after all so treat the report with caution.