9/10
LEAGUE: 3rd, 65pts (2013-14 - 5th, 57pts)
SCOTTISH CUP: Winners
LEAGUE CUP: Second round
MOST USED FIRST XI: Dean Brill, David Raven, Gary Warren, Josh Meekings, Graeme Shinnie, Greg Tansey, Ross Draper, Marley Watkins, Ryan Christie, Danny Williams, Billy Mckay
OVERVIEW: For Caley Thistle fans, it'll be tough to top this. European qualification was earned by a third placed finish in the Premiership - the highest in the club's history - but they managed to top that by winning the Scottish Cup. Considering the limited resources available, it's an astonishing achievement, and they deserve even more credit for playing some beautiful passing football too. They even managed to cope okay with the January departure of star striker Billy Mckay. No-one associated with ICT will ever forget the 2014-15 season.
HIGH POINTS: That Hampden cup semi-final, complete with Meekings-gate and a late winner from right-back David Raven of all people, was incredible in terms of drama...but James Vincent's late strike to win the cup sent this author rather crazy, and damaged his voice sufficiently that he's still croaking a week later.
LOW POINTS: Crashing out of the League Cup to Rangers was a huge disappointment. It was not unreasonable to play a number of fringe players, but sending them out with such defensive tactics was a blunder.
STAR MAN: Aberdeen have got themselves a hell of a player in Graeme Shinnie, who continues to get better and better; from left-back, he was actually one of the team's main attacking threats. But for me the side's star was midfielder Greg Tansey, who set the tempo with his passing and scored some absolute belters.
ONE FOR THE FUTURE: Ryan Christie is really the only candidate; whilst I thought his Young Player of the Year award was a little generous, there's no doubt that he has the touch and skill required to play at a much higher level.
WASTE OF SPACE: Tarmo Kink was a low-risk, high-reward signing, but the Estonian never looked like reaching the heights which led Middlesbrough to pay big money for him a few years back; in fact, he barely reached the pitch.
THE BOSS: What a hero. John Hughes, whose last managerial gigs were at Hibs, Livingston and Hartlepool (and were all pretty unsuccessful) was deservedly named Manager of the Year. He got the most out of his players, and then some. Far smarter than his public persona suggests, and far more outgoing as well, it was impossible not to feel pleased for him as he celebrated the cup win with his daughters. To be honest, he now probably has a job for life at Inverness if he wants it.
PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON: I must admit that, whilst the prospect of Europa League football is exciting, I'm definitely nervous. Replacing Shinnie and Marley Watkins will be hard, and any new signings won't have much time to bed in before the action starts again. It will be very hard to get anywhere near the success enjoyed this season, though there is surely too much quality for there to be a Motherwell-esque downturn.
FIRST TEAMERS DEFINITELY LEAVING: Graeme Shinnie, Marley Watkins
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
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