Finlay

No chance of that happening!

I know Butcher was keen to keep him but I was under the impression he was dropped after shipping 5 goals in the first 45 minutes at Ibrox? Heard the odd rumour as well that he could be heading back.

I'm not looking forward to it but I know what you mean. Brown always spreads round the plaudits when he wins but I also thought he wasn't the best at taking the blame for things in his previous managerial roles. I hope we don't get to the point where he is counting how many corners we get against a winning opposition team. Didn't he famously once write to Gerry McNee at the NOTW trying to get more of the blame put on Alex Miller for a poor run of Scotland results? Regardless, I'll be behind him and AK until they aren't with us.

Interesting. Didn't know the club don't really have a say in it etc. I know the player in question can't speak at events etc. but other than that don't know too much about the organisation of a testimonial. Would be quite interesting to be a part of a committee that arranges one I think.

I hope Brown and Knox get everything done they want to in the next ten days or so. Sadly if Dundee Utd beat us I can see a few familiar faces coming on here and saying it was a big mistake giving the players the week off. Personally, I think it was a good idea.

Not sure on that but I do know Crags wouldn't be getting one of we stuck to it.

Auld enough to know better

That Tam Cowan getting bumped from a regular gig?

Actually turned out a lot less offensive than I thought it was going too.

Never really thought about it but quite surprised we could be having Stevie Hammell Testimonial dinners etc. in the next year or two. If he stays that is

Checked as yuo had cast some doubt in my mind. Seems we are both wrong.......in a way. Fraser played the full 90 mins. Esson didn't replace him at all. This was an interesting quote from the BBC match report though; "Rangers made the breakthrough in the seventh minute when Boyd's free-kick shot was spilled by Inverness goalkeeper Michael Fraser into the path of Novo, who slid in to find the back of the net. Another goalkeeping error cost Inverness as Rangers doubled their lead minutes later when Fraser's poor clearance was picked up by Pedro Mendes." I'm sure though this was Fraser's last game for ICT for a wee while right enough.

Weren't we 8th, for a very short period, during this season?

Personally, I have seen Fraser struggle/drop too many crosses for not only us already but also when he played with ICT. We drew 2-2 with ICT at Fir Park near the end of last season and I thought Fraser, who had been reinstated to the team by then, was poor. Kicking and ownership of his own box wasn't the best and IIRC I thought he should have done better with the cross that led to the first goal. In a European game at Airdrie (Flamurtari at home I think) he tried to take a cross into his stomach instead of jumping for it, dropped it, and had to scramble and dive to recover it. I would expect a fat 14 year old with the speed and turning circle of a juggernaut to easily deal with that never mind a pro. I am also constantly reminded by an ICT fan I know that Fraser wasn't even their first choice keeper when we signed him. Relegated to the bench for shoddy performances and conceeding five goals before halftime at Ibrox being the final straw for Big Tel. If we had our hearts in our mouths when a cross came into the box when Buzz was the keeper, then we are in for some worrying moments next season that is for sure.

If Motherwell and Man Utd are playing on the same day it is no contest. Motherwell everytime. If Man Utd play on a Sunday, we have a weekend off etc. then (tickets permitting as I was knocked back in the ballot for a brief for the Liverpool game) I'll go down and see them. Next game should be Spurs at home in April as it is Sunday. I don't know how people can be bothered driving up the M6 every other weekend. 4/5 times a season is enough for me. The guys coming from Ireland to Rangers, Celtic, Man Utd, or Liverpool? Now that is some money spent right there. Don't know how they can afford it.

Have they not all got the week off

Aye, but they aren't getting to see Rooney Seriously, I get your point. It is rather worrying.

Noted!

Excellent stuff

Any ideas when the actual dates will be announced? So at the worst cast scenario (getting IN to Europe wise) if we finish 5th and there is (for example) an OF Final we will go in at the 'Flamurtari stage' next season?

Was at the game at OT yesterday myself. Could not believe the amount of United shirts I saw in Southwaites services on the way back home. Just goes to show you that people in Scotland are willing to spend a bit of money on football. Value for money will have something to do with it. The fact (for whatever reason) fans aren't going to many away games now is a major reason, imo, why all crowds are down. That Hearts crowd on Saturday was frighteningly low. Too expensive? Disappointing season? Displeasure at the way Mad Vlad is running things? Who knows what else.

Spot on. I'm still holding out for McGhee spending way more money on him, wages wise, than he is worth when he loses Langfield to a struggling League One side. Nah......that would be a crazy scenario.

Just spotted the cup draw. Excellent. All going our way for Europe three years on the trot. Now this IS premature but has anybody digged out the dates when the ties would be if we finish 3rd/4th/5th? I have just started a new job and would like to get my request in the minute it has been confirmed (if it does indeed happen).

As has been said I can't see demand being high although I wouldn't mind one for myself.