Bart Simpson

Very disappointing if true. His speech at the end of the Utd game was brilliant. My memory may be failing me but in retrospect was thanking players, his family and the fans telling? As with most things doubt the real story will ever be known by those not ITK, but does it really matter where he stays?

As long as the manager has a good relationship with the players, the players respond and play for them and the paying customers (us) buy into the plan who really cares where he or she stays?

Once again horrible and very strange timing. I really hope he stays. Seems like an all round nice guy who has the players playing for him and the majority of the fans happy.

There really never is a dull moment...

Very disappointing if true. His speech at the end of the Utd game was brilliant. My memory may be failing me but in retrospect was thanking players, his family and the fans telling? As with most things doubt the real story will ever be known by those not ITK, but does it really matter where he stays?

As long as the manager has a good relationship with the players, the players respond and play for them and the paying customers (us) buy into the plan who really cares where he or she stays?

Once again horrible and very strange timing. I really hope he stays. Seems like an all round nice guy who has the players playing for him and the majority of the fans happy.

There really never is a dull moment...

Agreed. Where was the need to drive his shoulder forward just as Gary Mac’s head was passing if he was trying to get out of the way?

Mullen’s was clumsy and deserved a yellow, but shoulder appeared deliberate to me...

Slightly off at a tangent, but hadn’t noticed Hladky taking free kicks with left foot then punting the ball with his right...
 

Penalties:
 
1. Haven’t seen it.
2. Looked like there was zero contact.
3. Definite handball, but it was outside the box. I can understand Oran’s comments. Tansey did look as though he was protecting his face.
4. Definite foul, but it was outside the box.
 
First half we were relatively compact. Transitioned from defending to countering well and even held the ball in their half for long spells but the transition from midfield to upfront was hopeless hence no shots on target.
 
Second half we either tired or lost the will to keep going after at least 3 injustices and 2 sucker punches. Definitely not as good second half.
 
As above, points today would have been great but in all honesty unexpected. As a perennial optimist perhaps not the most critical analysis but there were some good signs first half but we need to do better going forward.
 
 

Penalties:
 
1. Haven’t seen it.
2. Looked like there was zero contact.
3. Definite handball, but it was outside the box. I can understand Oran’s comments. Tansey did look as though he was protecting his face.
4. Definite foul, but it was outside the box.
 
First half we were relatively compact. Transitioned from defending to countering well and even held the ball in their half for long spells but the transition from midfield to upfront was hopeless hence no shots on target.
 
Second half we either tired or lost the will to keep going after at least 3 injustices and 2 sucker punches. Definitely not as good second half.
 
As above, points today would have been great but in all honesty unexpected. As a perennial optimist perhaps not the most critical analysis but there were some good signs first half but we need to do better going forward.
 
 

Celtic - I watched the first half only. It was the worst of the last 3 league games.
 
Hibs - first half good. Second half useless.
 
Rangers - first half positive signs. Second half useless.
 
That said when you think about fine margins and momentum in games. The Hibs game could have been very different if Kyle had not taken a horrendous first touch and messed up a gilt edged chance and if McGregor had been penalised for a high boot (at head height) as Jackson was about to head into an empty net. Equally today if Rangers has only been awarded the one penalty.
 
No excuses. It needs to get better. Celtic game was a training exercise for them, but second half with 10 men against Alloa and both the first halves against Hibs and Rangers have been positive. Just need to hope the 10 new players gel quick enough to give us a chance.
 
Not really much else for it.

Celtic - I watched the first half only. It was the worst of the last 3 league games.
 
Hibs - first half good. Second half useless.
 
Rangers - first half positive signs. Second half useless.
 
That said when you think about fine margins and momentum in games. The Hibs game could have been very different if Kyle had not taken a horrendous first touch and messed up a gilt edged chance and if McGregor had been penalised for a high boot (at head height) as Jackson was about to head into an empty net. Equally today if Rangers has only been awarded the one penalty.
 
No excuses. It needs to get better. Celtic game was a training exercise for them, but second half with 10 men against Alloa and both the first halves against Hibs and Rangers have been positive. Just need to hope the 10 new players gel quick enough to give us a chance.
 
Not really much else for it.

Celtic - I watched the first half only. It was the worst of the last 3 league games.
 
Hibs - first half good. Second half useless.
 
Rangers - first half positive signs. Second half useless.
 
That said when you think about fine margins and momentum in games. The Hibs game could have been very different if Kyle had not taken a horrendous first touch and messed up a gilt edged chance and if McGregor had been penalised for a high boot (at head height) as Jackson was about to head into an empty net. Equally today if Rangers has only been awarded the one penalty.
 
No excuses. It needs to get better. Celtic game was a training exercise for them, but second half with 10 men against Alloa and both the first halves against Hibs and Rangers have been positive. Just need to hope the 10 new players gel quick enough to give us a chance.
 
Not really much else for it.

Penalties:
 
1. Haven’t seen it.
2. Looked like there was zero contact.
3. Definite handball, but it was outside the box. I can understand Oran’s comments. Tansey did look as though he was protecting his face.
4. Definite foul, but it was outside the box.
 
First half we were relatively compact. Transitioned from defending to countering well and even held the ball in their half for long spells but the transition from midfield to upfront was hopeless hence no shots on target.
 
Second half we either tired or lost the will to keep going after at least 3 injustices and 2 sucker punches. Definitely not as good second half.
 
As above, points today would have been great but in all honesty unexpected. As a perennial optimist perhaps not the most critical analysis but there were some good signs first half but we need to do better going forward.
 
 

Penalties:
 
1. Haven’t seen it.
2. Looked like there was zero contact.
3. Definite handball, but it was outside the box. I can understand Oran’s comments. Tansey did look as though he was protecting his face.
4. Definite foul, but it was outside the box.
 
First half we were relatively compact. Transitioned from defending to countering well and even held the ball in their half for long spells but the transition from midfield to upfront was hopeless hence no shots on target.
 
Second half we either tired or lost the will to keep going after at least 3 injustices and 2 sucker punches. Definitely not as good second half.
 
As above, points today would have been great but in all honesty unexpected. As a perennial optimist perhaps not the most critical analysis but there were some good signs first half but we need to do better going forward.
 
 

Penalties:
 
1. Haven’t seen it.
2. Looked like there was zero contact.
3. Definite handball, but it was outside the box. I can understand Oran’s comments. Tansey did look as though he was protecting his face.
4. Definite foul, but it was outside the box.
 
First half we were relatively compact. Transitioned from defending to countering well and even held the ball in their half for long spells but the transition from midfield to upfront was hopeless hence no shots on target.
 
Second half we either tired or lost the will to keep going after at least 3 injustices and 2 sucker punches. Definitely not as good second half.
 
As above, points today would have been great but in all honesty unexpected. As a perennial optimist perhaps not the most critical analysis but there were some good signs first half but we need to do better going forward.
 
 

Penalties:
 
1. Haven’t seen it.
2. Looked like there was zero contact.
3. Definite handball, but it was outside the box. I can understand Oran’s comments. Tansey did look as though he was protecting his face.
4. Definite foul, but it was outside the box.
 
First half we were relatively compact. Transitioned from defending to countering well and even held the ball in their half for long spells but the transition from midfield to upfront was hopeless hence no shots on target.
 
Second half we either tired or lost the will to keep going after at least 3 injustices and 2 sucker punches. Definitely not as good second half.
 
As above, points today would have been great but in all honesty unexpected. As a perennial optimist perhaps not the most critical analysis but there were some good signs first half but we need to do better going forward.
 
 

Penalties:
 
1. Haven’t seen it.
2. Looked like there was zero contact.
3. Definite handball, but it was outside the box. I can understand Oran’s comments. Tansey did look as though he was protecting his face.
4. Definite foul, but it was outside the box.
 
First half we were relatively compact. Transitioned from defending to countering well and even held the ball in their half for long spells but the transition from midfield to upfront was hopeless hence no shots on target.
 
Second half we either tired or lost the will to keep going after at least 3 injustices and 2 sucker punches. Definitely not as good second half.
 
As above, points today would have been great but in all honesty unexpected. As a perennial optimist perhaps not the most critical analysis but there were some good signs first half but we need to do better going forward.
 
 

Ever the optimist.Whilst the issues you highlight are correct I suppose it depends on which way you look at things as to whether the changes are positive, negative or simply change for the sake of change.
One league body is sensible and at least on the face of it puts to bed the lunacy of the SPL as a separate self serving entity out with the reach of the rest of Scottish football.
The changes for me are potentially not far reaching enough as you indeed elude to but at least they are a step in the right direction. I'm not for one minute going to laud them as a one stop fix for the whole of Scottish football, but they are a significant shift away from the top 3-5 clubs and a few hangers on being unanswerable to anyone. Again it would be wrong to say that's his problem has been completely resolved as clearly an element of this has stayed as our (or at least the rest of our) own club has been derided for in the recent past, with a protection of voting structures etc...but surely some change is better than none? Even if as you point out it is only to correct the redundancy for three governing bodies merging them back into one...
As for the pyramid system...I think there will need to be further streamlining...potentially regional leagues even from below the second tier which would help combat the issue of big junior clubs not wanting to be involved. With all due respect to the other senior clubs how big an interest and travelling support is there in an Elgin vs Stranraer fixture? Whilst if on merit and with the proper finincial model Ross County and ICT have provided a benchmark for any aspiring 'new' club surely competitive regional leagues feeding into the then streamlined top two leagues would be a better way forward and would allow for continued local rivalry and save on travel costs etc?
Clearly this is only my suggestion, but it is what is theoretically then going to happen below the 4 tier and with time i it becomes a success I think it would be beneficial to extend it higher up the ranks to encompass a significant proportion of the clubs happy to presently sit in the second and third divisions with no real ambition of professing beyond their current level. At present these clubs are not going to vote for much that will affect their stability and this is clearly their right but I do think that the changes that will come into place could be the first stepping stone to the scenario I think would best suit our national game.
With this increased localisation of the game at lower levels there would hopefully be more room to nurture local young talent benefiting the game as a whole.
As for who will sign up for the lowland league, that's entirely up to the individual clubs and how attractive the prospects are made. I agree that unless there a big changes to create new rivalries and a protection of long standing ones already present in the junior ranks, as an example, there will be a hesitancy. However it will be entirely up to the clubs in question and to use an example from another sport, but an example I know a lot more about than the junior ranks of Scottish football, Kyles Athletic of Tighnabruaich deferred entry into shinty's national league for a number of years despite earning the right year after year on the basis of traveling costs. Eventually though they realise they were missing out on the opportunity and agreed to join despite geography, so perhaps all that it will take is small changes and time and eventually everyone will sign up...
So after that waffle…it depends on perspective and your outlook on life in general I suppose, but a small step in the right direction and a lot of room for improvement is how I would summarise things rather than "Its about as pish as it gets".

It was an interesting interview. I can accept the analysis of fans of other clubs when Tony talks about Saints, but their scepticism, like Michael Stewart’s is completely offset by how much his love for our team exudes from everything he says. On top of that he is such a decent guy that he simply didn’t want to be anything other than positive and completely refused to stick the boot in with Stubbs.
 
Not sure what others take on it was, but I took from his interview that:
 
1. It was Oran’s job in the summer if he’d simply spun things out by saying ‘I have as good an understanding of Scottish football as anyone else’. It sounded as though this was the only reason he was overlooked. The positivity with which Oran talked about the process of feedback and Tony comparing him with Jack speaks volumes.
 
2. Things have clearly not been right with the group harmony with Stubbs in charge. For all the new players may be ‘good players’ the undercurrent was that some have not settled.
 
3. Just wasn’t a great fit for Saints or Stubbs, sometimes you need to make a hard choice and stick with it. Essentially accepting that they got it wrong in the summer but hopefully now have got it right with Oran.
 
4. I don’t care if you need to have to filter what Tony says about Saints. As long as he is in a role where he is a positive ambassador for his and our club I’m delighted. Listening to contradicting statements picked up by the commentators post interview simply took the whole thing back to exactly what he said, something around talking about progress with his head rather than his heart...
 
5. It was interesting to hear about Jack essentially catapulting the business plan 3 years forward over the course of his 18 months in charge and the club trying simply to catch up.
 
Anyway for all he takes a bit of stick from some, having Mr Saint Mirren talking positively about our club is great.
 
Good luck Oran, hopefully you get all the time you need to get us moving in the right direction again.

It was an interesting interview. I can accept the analysis of fans of other clubs when Tony talks about Saints, but their scepticism, like Michael Stewart’s is completely offset by how much his love for our team exudes from everything he says. On top of that he is such a decent guy that he simply didn’t want to be anything other than positive and completely refused to stick the boot in with Stubbs.
 
Not sure what others take on it was, but I took from his interview that:
 
1. It was Oran’s job in the summer if he’d simply spun things out by saying ‘I have as good an understanding of Scottish football as anyone else’. It sounded as though this was the only reason he was overlooked. The positivity with which Oran talked about the process of feedback and Tony comparing him with Jack speaks volumes.
 
2. Things have clearly not been right with the group harmony with Stubbs in charge. For all the new players may be ‘good players’ the undercurrent was that some have not settled.
 
3. Just wasn’t a great fit for Saints or Stubbs, sometimes you need to make a hard choice and stick with it. Essentially accepting that they got it wrong in the summer but hopefully now have got it right with Oran.
 
4. I don’t care if you need to have to filter what Tony says about Saints. As long as he is in a role where he is a positive ambassador for his and our club I’m delighted. Listening to contradicting statements picked up by the commentators post interview simply took the whole thing back to exactly what he said, something around talking about progress with his head rather than his heart...
 
5. It was interesting to hear about Jack essentially catapulting the business plan 3 years forward over the course of his 18 months in charge and the club trying simply to catch up.
 
Anyway for all he takes a bit of stick from some, having Mr Saint Mirren talking positively about our club is great.
 
Good luck Oran, hopefully you get all the time you need to get us moving in the right direction again.

It was an interesting interview. I can accept the analysis of fans of other clubs when Tony talks about Saints, but their scepticism, like Michael Stewart’s is completely offset by how much his love for our team exudes from everything he says. On top of that he is such a decent guy that he simply didn’t want to be anything other than positive and completely refused to stick the boot in with Stubbs.
 
Not sure what others take on it was, but I took from his interview that:
 
1. It was Oran’s job in the summer if he’d simply spun things out by saying ‘I have as good an understanding of Scottish football as anyone else’. It sounded as though this was the only reason he was overlooked. The positivity with which Oran talked about the process of feedback and Tony comparing him with Jack speaks volumes.
 
2. Things have clearly not been right with the group harmony with Stubbs in charge. For all the new players may be ‘good players’ the undercurrent was that some have not settled.
 
3. Just wasn’t a great fit for Saints or Stubbs, sometimes you need to make a hard choice and stick with it. Essentially accepting that they got it wrong in the summer but hopefully now have got it right with Oran.
 
4. I don’t care if you need to have to filter what Tony says about Saints. As long as he is in a role where he is a positive ambassador for his and our club I’m delighted. Listening to contradicting statements picked up by the commentators post interview simply took the whole thing back to exactly what he said, something around talking about progress with his head rather than his heart...
 
5. It was interesting to hear about Jack essentially catapulting the business plan 3 years forward over the course of his 18 months in charge and the club trying simply to catch up.
 
Anyway for all he takes a bit of stick from some, having Mr Saint Mirren talking positively about our club is great.
 
Good luck Oran, hopefully you get all the time you need to get us moving in the right direction again.

It was an interesting interview. I can accept the analysis of fans of other clubs when Tony talks about Saints, but their scepticism, like Michael Stewart’s is completely offset by how much his love for our team exudes from everything he says. On top of that he is such a decent guy that he simply didn’t want to be anything other than positive and completely refused to stick the boot in with Stubbs.
 
Not sure what others take on it was, but I took from his interview that:
 
1. It was Oran’s job in the summer if he’d simply spun things out by saying ‘I have as good an understanding of Scottish football as anyone else’. It sounded as though this was the only reason he was overlooked. The positivity with which Oran talked about the process of feedback and Tony comparing him with Jack speaks volumes.
 
2. Things have clearly not been right with the group harmony with Stubbs in charge. For all the new players may be ‘good players’ the undercurrent was that some have not settled.
 
3. Just wasn’t a great fit for Saints or Stubbs, sometimes you need to make a hard choice and stick with it. Essentially accepting that they got it wrong in the summer but hopefully now have got it right with Oran.
 
4. I don’t care if you need to have to filter what Tony says about Saints. As long as he is in a role where he is a positive ambassador for his and our club I’m delighted. Listening to contradicting statements picked up by the commentators post interview simply took the whole thing back to exactly what he said, something around talking about progress with his head rather than his heart...
 
5. It was interesting to hear about Jack essentially catapulting the business plan 3 years forward over the course of his 18 months in charge and the club trying simply to catch up.
 
Anyway for all he takes a bit of stick from some, having Mr Saint Mirren talking positively about our club is great.
 
Good luck Oran, hopefully you get all the time you need to get us moving in the right direction again.

It was an interesting interview. I can accept the analysis of fans of other clubs when Tony talks about Saints, but their scepticism, like Michael Stewart’s is completely offset by how much his love for our team exudes from everything he says. On top of that he is such a decent guy that he simply didn’t want to be anything other than positive and completely refused to stick the boot in with Stubbs.
 
Not sure what others take on it was, but I took from his interview that:
 
1. It was Oran’s job in the summer if he’d simply spun things out by saying ‘I have as good an understanding of Scottish football as anyone else’. It sounded as though this was the only reason he was overlooked. The positivity with which Oran talked about the process of feedback and Tony comparing him with Jack speaks volumes.
 
2. Things have clearly not been right with the group harmony with Stubbs in charge. For all the new players may be ‘good players’ the undercurrent was that some have not settled.
 
3. Just wasn’t a great fit for Saints or Stubbs, sometimes you need to make a hard choice and stick with it. Essentially accepting that they got it wrong in the summer but hopefully now have got it right with Oran.
 
4. I don’t care if you need to have to filter what Tony says about Saints. As long as he is in a role where he is a positive ambassador for his and our club I’m delighted. Listening to contradicting statements picked up by the commentators post interview simply took the whole thing back to exactly what he said, something around talking about progress with his head rather than his heart...
 
5. It was interesting to hear about Jack essentially catapulting the business plan 3 years forward over the course of his 18 months in charge and the club trying simply to catch up.
 
Anyway for all he takes a bit of stick from some, having Mr Saint Mirren talking positively about our club is great.
 
Good luck Oran, hopefully you get all the time you need to get us moving in the right direction again.

Yeah then we had to give the job to players that were in our squad till the end of the season.

What decent manager wants to risk their reputation when all our budget will be blown if we have to pay Stubbs off a 3 year deal.

Lennon mentioned on Radio Scotland that a sell on fee has been agreed...hopefully Saints will be due a portion of any future Hibs share...

Apologies if mentioned above...

The sell on fee percentage being a perennial reward for future sales is a great reward as long as the the player is bought rather than moving on out of contract. It means we as fans have more of a vested interest in former players doing well and is vindication of our investment in the youth policy adopted by the club. Hopefully that is the case...

I think he’ll go from strength to strength down south. If he does well with Villa you could easily see a £10million+ move in a year or two, specifically because of the cash in English football and because he has that potential.

Celtic have lost out big time as he seemed the natural successor to Brown.

In summary, great player, lots of potential, great move for him, Saints and Hibs and hopefully the gift that keeps on giving...well done Gilmour and co for your negotiation skills and to all those instrumental in his development in the youth teams at Saints as well as the managers who played him regularly and gave him time to develop.

The sell on fee percentage being a perennial reward for future sales is a great reward as long as the the player is bought rather than moving on out of contract. It means we as fans have more of a vested interest in former players doing well and is vindication of our investment in the youth policy adopted by the club. Hopefully that is the case...

I think he’ll go from strength to strength down south. If he does well with Villa you could easily see a £10million+ move in a year or two, specifically because of the cash in English football and because he has that potential.

Celtic have lost out big time as he seemed the natural successor to Brown.

In summary, great player, lots of potential, great move for him, Saints and Hibs and hopefully the gift that keeps on giving...well done Gilmour and co for your negotiation skills and to all those instrumental in his development in the youth teams at Saints as well as the managers who played him regularly and gave him time to develop.

The sell on fee percentage being a perennial reward for future sales is a great reward as long as the the player is bought rather than moving on out of contract. It means we as fans have more of a vested interest in former players doing well and is vindication of our investment in the youth policy adopted by the club. Hopefully that is the case...

I think he’ll go from strength to strength down south. If he does well with Villa you could easily see a £10million+ move in a year or two, specifically because of the cash in English football and because he has that potential.

Celtic have lost out big time as he seemed the natural successor to Brown.

In summary, great player, lots of potential, great move for him, Saints and Hibs and hopefully the gift that keeps on giving...well done Gilmour and co for your negotiation skills and to all those instrumental in his development in the youth teams at Saints as well as the managers who played him regularly and gave him time to develop.