Kmcalpin

Pretty much my view. We have to be realistic when comparing the two playing budgets and what that means on the field. Yesterday's result, whilst disappointing, was in no way surprising. The result and performance wasn't helped by our absentee list. I thought I'd look back at Celtic's stats for home league games this season. Outwith Sevco, only 3 teams (excluding us) have scored at Parkhead. In terms of goal difference, we're about halfway out of the 10 clubs. That said, some have only played once at Parkhead. Undoubtedly, and in general, our defence needs addressed in the close season and that means not just personnel but also tactics. Defence is not limited to the 4 or 5 at the back of course. I don't doubt that the constant pressure on our defence wasn't helped by a powderpuff strikeforce. Our specific tactics for Ibrox and Parkhead also need to be examined. Whilst not advocating all out attack, we do need to stop defending so deeply. In my view thats asking for trouble. Yesterday panned out pretty much how I thought. Dundee United were always going to pick up a point in Dingwall.

Sensible post Haggis - facts overlooked by some.

County were lucky to beat us back in January - so maybe that evened things out. I agree about Wednesaday's game being one of 2 very different halves. Yes, Hearts were understrength but so were we, with others suffering from the Lurgy. I agree there have been flaws in the past 4 months and these do need to be addressed, not swept under the carpet. GA has certainly earned more time and I see this as being a transitional season. As others have said the next few months will be critical. A chance for GA to assess his squad; have a mini clearout; and address evident weaknesses in the transfer market.

Tierney?

Good, thought provoking post, David. Some additional thoughts. Goalkeeping: As Scott Fox has re-signed for a year its decison time for PJ Morrison. Defence: Does need sorted out. Right back seems ok. Maybe some isues of which we're unaware. Ojala's injury? Sondre Solholm Johansen - long overdue a rest before we can properly assess him? Given Lamie's comments this morning in the media, I suspect he's got other irons in the fire, apart from Dundee - assuming for the moment he'll move on. O'Connor is still an unknown quantity. Left back position needs sorted irrespective of who is under contract. Midfield: O'Hara is supposedly moving on - fine. Donnelly - maybe best if he seeks pastures new. Still not convinced of Maguire. Tierney looks promising. Another all rounder or holding player required. Looking for Deano to kick on. Strikers: Shields, Van Veen and Woolery are fine, with Mahon still to come in. We need another out and out main striker and possibly a winger to improve that department. Jury is still out on Efford.

It seems that Liam Grimshaw is leaving. Given his lack of game time few will be shocked. Not the most talented but has a huge heart. Good luck Grimmy.

Graham Alexander has achieved a lot this season; steering us clear of relegation, a top 5 finish' euro qualification and a quarter final cup run. Ok the league cup was a washout. So, he's going nowhere and neither should he. On the debit side, by and large, the football hasn't been very entertaining. I think what has made it a peculiar season is the distribution of results, which haven't been consitently spread out. A very good first half to the season; shockingly bad run from New Year to early May; and mini revival in May. That took its toll on the fans. Over the summer recess, I hope he continues to reshape and strengthen the squad with the emphasis on the defence and to a lesser extent on the strikers/wingers. Hopefully too, the brand of football will improve. The defence needs more solidity and we need another option up front if KVV is unavailable. Our wing positions need improving. As the core of the squad will remain the same that should help continuity going forward. No doubt a few players will move and a few will come in, but that shouldn't necessitate a complete annual rebuild Robinson style.

I'm with you on that Grizzly. Last night we won because Hearts were understrength. Many forget that we were also considerably understrength too. It was certainly a game of 2 halves last night and at 8.30 I'd have happily settled for a draw. Our entire defence was well.....shocking in the first half, and I had the fear defensively when KVV came on but he was the catalyst for improvement and we tightened up at the back after the break. Credit to the management for changing things though and to the team for showing fight and determination. I was concerned that we sat so deep in the last 20 minutes or so but we restricted Hearts' chances and saw the game out very well. The referee was decent and I've seen far worse but he should have carded Mackay Stevens for a shocking late challenge and could have awarded 3 penalties - at least all were similar challenges and he showed consistency. Pleased that Las ended his last home game on a high. A great night and good to see fans get their reward.

We done lads! Great second half.

A much more encouraging second half but we still look vulnerable at the back.

That was a stonewaller.

Well done Lamie. COYW

Donnelly in defence with Lamie!!

Very true. In our defence though we have a lengthy absentee list and it looks as though several of our starters are suffering from the bug. Given the circumstances, a draw would represent a very creditable outcome indeed.

Neither is the Carroll, Lamie, and O'Donnell combination, on tonight's showing.

It looks as thoug we're playing Celtic or Sevco - we're sitting off Hearts and look petriifed of them.

Its going to be a case of whether our strikers can outscore our defence.

I checked at just after 6.40 and the club's Twitter account had both KVV and Tierney on the bench.

Thought I'd seen a figure of £850K mentioned somewhere. Investment will reduce ongoing maintenance costs and help attract more income apparently.

Reece McAlear turns out for ICT tonight and picks up a yellow card.

The slope will be halved. It'll be interesting how that shapes up in relation to the stands.

Yes, didn't know what to make of that. It depends on how SOD handled it.

As far as the pandemic is concerned, it's had a catastrophic effect on youth development, not just for us but also for almost all Scots clubs. It's bound to have stunted young lads' development and slashed opportunities to progress to first teams. This may have a long term effect. Hopefully we'll get back to normal next season with the resumption of regular youth competitions. It's against this backdrop we should assess GA's approach to blooding youngsters.

Just watched the highlights; not much to go on admittedly. We certainly seemed to show a fair bit of grit and determination. It was a case of swings and roundabouts for County - we did to them what they did to us previously. The penalty? TV angle was very poor and its hard to be definitive, but I got the impression that KVV was slightly too fast for Lacovitti and nicked in front of him and got caught. Maybe other posters had a far better view though. Its the kind of challenge we've been punished for umpteen times through penalties conceded or red cards issued. From the limited TV clips it seemed like we were really under the cosh for the final part of the game - full backs withdrew into our box and midfield also retreated allowing County to rain in cross after cross and have unimpeded pots at goal. I did feel sorry for Kelly. Fortunately they were toothless and their recent long run of good luck deserted them. We have to take into account though our lengthy absentee list (Mugabi, McGinley, Johansen, Maguire, Grimshaw?, Woolery, Roberts) with KVV and Slattery not well enough to start. A perfect opportunity for County to beat and indeed demoralise close rivals; but one which ultimately they weren't good enough to take. At the business end of the season the result was all that mattered.

Nadir Ciftci on the bench again for St Johntone. He's only made 5 appearances since signing for them in January and has failed to score in any of those.