Looking forward

Okay, so now the dust is settled, rumour is rife about who will become the new supremo at ICT.

The Press & Journal, which doesn't qualify as a local rag because it's better than the two local papers that really are rags, claims that the stage is set for Barry Wilson to make a return as manager, only a few weeks after Brew shunted him to Queen of the South. This would apparently be in tandem with former boss Robbo (that's John Robertson to those who don't know anything about Scottish football) as his assistant. I don't buy that for a second - Wilson was not even a player-coach at Caley, and this is surely not the time for a novice. Granted, I think that Brew's original appointment in December 2005 came when we were bottom of the SPL, but lets face it, he was a much more prestigious player than Barry was, as well as having experience abroad.

The Times and The Telegraph, meanwhile, have firmly jumped on the Terry Butcher bandwagon, though the former notes that Butcher is still based in the south of England, despite his involvement with the Scotland set up. The Telegraph, taking some rare time out from talking about cricket and, erm, more cricket, also describes Butcher as the favourite.

However, as regards the bookies, Robbo in fact stands out at the moment, not least because he lives and works in the Highlands, and hs talked us up so much on Radio Scotland recently that it actually looked like an unsubtle attempt to jockey for the post. Trouble for him is that it's well known that he fell out with our majority shareholder during his first spell as manager, with the words "over", "dead" and "body" likely to encompass the board's response to the idea of taking him back.

Another names in the frame is that of Charlie Christie, Brew's predecessor, who did a great job but quit because he was fed up with the exposure to him and his family. 10CC (his initials, and the number he wore playing for Caley - get it? Sigh...) is back on the coaching staff these days but I doubt he'd put himself through the mix once more. Archie Knox has also been touted, but one feels that he would be more likely to pursue more prestigious(and lucrative) coaching posts in England.

We shall see. I, personally, would take Butcher faster than you can say"hand of god", but the important thing now is that we get in someone with a bit of experience and nous, because that is what we have been lacking most this season.

And at least Jim Duffy and Bobby Williamson aren't candidates. Thank heavens for small mercies.

L.