Julian Banjos

He's not had much of a chance to prove it. Most of his appearances for Aberdeen were as a teenage substitute and he was unfortunate that, going into last season as our POTY, Stubbs happened. Still only 24 I, for one, would welcome him back with open arms.

Tomorrow is Cammy Smith's 24th birthday. Tony Andreu, playing that position, is 31.... If we're looking long term could Cammy be one that's on the radar for January? Hasn't worked out at United to date and, as far I'm concerned, he's a top league player.

According to wikipedia, Northampton paid 6 figures to Peterborough for him 12 months ago.... Looks like another quality signing!

Hibs have said they'll only let Shaw out on loan if they sign another forward. I think it's likey to be paper talk anyway. Can't really see why we'd aid the development of one of Hibs' youngsters when we could have one of our own Academy boys on the bench.

Solihull Moors, Wrexham, Ballymena Utd, Glenavon, The New Saints, Connah's Quay Nomads, Bohemians and Waterford all possible opponents.

1-0 FT A stunning result! Into the last 16....

Any word on the position of the player we're looking to sign? Centre forward?

Well-organised, professional, disciplined.... looked like they've been playing together for years. Amazing. Goodie's the man! Also, Gary Mac's shorts from 1986 worth a mention!

Hopefully. It's all the rain this morning that concerns me a wee bit. The pitch will be heavy at kickoff, a downpour during the game and it could be getting sketchy.

Good test for the pitch's drainage system this afternoon. Yellow rain warning in place. Hopefully we don't have one of these tropical-esque downpours in the next few hours....

Sunderland? Must have crossed Jack's mind...

The worry is lots of good football but a lack of goals. Hopefully though the Obinka/Mullen/Cooke goal tally will be supplemented by the midfield, particularly Kyle, Andreu and Durmus.

Having very little interest in English football I just set the box last night to record MOTD every week.Why? To see McLean and McGinn. Would be great to see some more break through for us. Hamilton seem to blood loads of teenagers every season without getting relegated.

The quality of our matchday squad is night and day compared to this time last season. I think we'll be playing good-looking football too. Well done the board and JG!

Nganioni was also on trial at Bolton Wanderers last pre-season. Shame we couldn't get Muzek back. I see he's been playing European ties with his new Moldovan team. Up against AIK Stockholm tomorrow night.

Reminiscent of the Rocco Quinn mutual consent a couple of years ago. He had a chronic hamstring injury and, in his last few games for us, could only manage an hour on the park. We were his last club, retiring at the age of 30. Will have to see if Tansey can continue his career. It's a real shame and goes beyond football. In an article I read a few months back it said he was suing the clinic that botched the operation which has led to his problems.

Alan Stubbs?

The omission of Gordon from Oran's statement isn't a surprise but the omission of Gus is pretty telling. They must have worked very closely together, particularly with the swathe of January signings. We know how highly GS thinks of GMac. My guess is that Gus has had concerns about Kearney, perhaps for awhile, and things just came to a head last week. Who knows maybe it was suggested that a daily commute would work if it was part of Gus's remit to go and watch other teams.

We'll all look back fondly on the time a drillie from Norn Iron came over to keep us in the premier league then returned to his packed lunch in the staff room. I get the family thing but you have to wonder about Oran's professional sanity down the line. What will be going through his mind when he's putting away the badminton nets or berating a wean for not bringing in his PE kit when, if he'd kept his mouth shut, he could have been preparing us for a trip to Parkhead or whatever?

But......doesn't it show he lacked commitment to the club? OK, if given his way, of travelling daily could easily have missed training the day before an important game because of a cabin crew strike, bad weather, a suspicious piece of luggage, you name it. Wouldn't have bothered him though apparently.

Not as gospel but it's Graeme MacPherson....

Absolutely. The Coleraine thing absolutely reeks. 10th of May their manager went. 6 weeks on, funnily enough, still no appointment. Meanwhile, OK is trying to play us.

Bloody hell. He seriously wanted to fly in and out every single day?! Oh well, thanks Oran. Gym time for you and Jim time for us!

There's also a suggestion from Grieve that OK wanted to commute even more. With his stock high and the Coleraine return rumours bubbling away in the background, maybe OK came back from his hols thinking "I'll try my luck and the club will blink first". Events have then proceeded in a way that he may not have anticipated.