The African

I would go as far as saying that Robinson is here until the end of the season, barring a calamitous run of results or him walking. Thequestion which really needs to be asked, both by Robinson and the board, is where do we go after that? Is “ more of the same” acceptable? I would say no. The style of play might get us enough to survive, but we need to somehow find a way to play which is both more pleasing on the eye and at least as successful. I would be prepared to give him first chance at the job, if he was up for it and had a plan that looked feasible. It is not going to be easy though, given our limited budget. He might very well see it as a recipe for failure and walk away at that point which would be fair enough.

No.

Three nil, and I would have probably taken that at kick-off, and definitely at half-time. Never happy with a defeat and our style of play is not what I would wish for, but we are where we are and seven points from the next three games is probably the target now.

Not defending Tom Boyd in the least as I have heard enough from him to know that he is a complete twat, but is half our problem with him deriding our players and club the fact that we see that particular task as a job for our fans?

A chance for some minor experimentation with the expectation that we will get nothing from this fixture. I would consider resting Campbell and possibly one or two others that might need it. We have limited resources and will haveames coming up in the near future where they can be better employed. Not saying we give up on this one, and do not want us to take a hidingwhich could set us back in other matches, but we do need to think in terms of the bigger picture sometimes. Avoiding injuries and suspensions would be good. And will Gillespie save a third penalty? Likely to have a chance.

Great result for us and much credit to those of you who made the effort to go and support the team on what seemed an awful day. I would throw in a word of caution though. I think that both St Mirren and Dundee have shown signs of improvement and, as such, we will have to do the same. It is probably premature to be talking about " safety" at this stage. Let's see where we are after we next play the teams below us. I would also suggest that the January window is not the time for anything more than tinkering with our squad. Major surgery, whilst the thought may appeal, is both a gamble and something a club on our budget can scarcely afford.

Yeah. I remember going to a three nil defeat where we scarcely kicked a ball and big Sieb let a cross beat him at the back post. 4th September 1993. I went with my Dad. I was 26. It was a nice sunny day and took us an age to get out of the car park next to the stadium after the game. I also seem to remember Ally Graham coming on as a sub. I do remember a bit of banter with Billy Thompson about him going on up front to try and spark a revival. He said he was willing to give it a go.

Andy Rose will be the sort of player we miss when he is gone. Not flashy or over endowed with talent, but happy to do the necessary donkey work and play his part in the team. He has done his bitwhile with us and good luck to him back in MLS. I doubt there would be any fee given we are letting him go under a “ gentleman’s agreement” that he could return to America if he got a genuine offer to do so. I suppose the only issue is, can we play him up until the 1st January? If injury would scupper his move, it might put the player in a difficult position.

Our record up there is pure unadulterated shite. Anything from this fixture will be remarkable.

Again anything from this fixture should be seen as a bonus. Hopefully we out in animproved performance and we will see what we get. Aldred and McHugh at centre of the defence. Tait as fullback, though which side is debatable. Johnson and Main up front. A midfield from our collection of plodders and youngsters.Right now, I’d exclude Rose from initial selection given I thought he was the poorest on show on Wednesday. As such, I fully expect him to score a screamer at Tynecastle.

Gillespie for me. No chance with the goal, solid throughout, and the penalty save kept us in the game.

I will take that. Celtic will be kicking themselves but, as WC Fields said, never give a sucker an even break. We weren’t in any way good, but we stuck in, took the punches they managed to land, a certain amount of belief visibly grew as the second half progressed, and, for once against this lot, we got a break. We were brave, and fortune favours the brave.

Lots of effort, precious little else. Great save from the penalty the highlight for me.

Well it is live on BEIN2 in New Zealand. Probably one way to start my day off on the wrong foot.

Is this a game we can write off and go for damage limitation from the outset? Probably not. Hopefully we can catch them on an off night and get right in amongst them. Cannot see anything but a defeat though. Just hope there is not any significant or long term damage.

Do we have any? Not Carson, illness means he is probably out for the rest of the season. Cadden? Injured at present, though may sign a pre contract elsewhere. Turnbull? Too early to tell if he is the real deal. Genuinely think he would do well to stay and take his opportunity to develop at Fir Oark, but it would not be the first time a young player gets his head turned by a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Would not be going in January though. Anyone else? If we got an offer of any sort, given our model as a “selling” club, we would probably take it. Maybe excluding Campbell, but, as said by others elsewhere, his development has stalled badly and this needs to be addressed.

If Hartley is suspended, I would bring in Dunne, if fit. If they Dunne is not ready, then the options are Donnelly or Maguire. I’d like to see Maguire given the nod but the best of luck to whoever is given the start. This is an important game as three points will go some way towards keeping us on the tail of the bunch above us.

Need to see a reaction after a very poor showing at Ibrox. I think we will see one and if we do put in a decent shift there is no reason to think that we cannot take something from the fixture. I reckon a 1-1 draw.

A good effort by the youngsters in this competition. We are obviously doing something right. Now we have to do the difficult bit and find. The way of transferring that youthful ability into the first team environment.

Just not convinced where we will be if we do sack Robinson. We are already under par with regard to points and performance, but our league position is just about acceptable. As previously stated, a change of management is no guarantee of a turn around in fortune on the park. We have a squad that is not devoid of talent though the lack of pace at the back, width in midfield and obvious goal threats up front are all issues. We are where we are . Personally, I’d be tempted Togo with Robby for the rest of the season, with a major debrief and rethink required in the summer. The one proviso being that we need to pick up enough points to be above the drop zone at the winter break. This is based on the sentiment that the manager has earned some time through decent results last season and the consideration that any change may not be for the better. The one thing you can be sure of is that it isn’t going to be pretty.

Seriously people, please don’t feed the troll.

Am I right in saying Carson had a few decent saves? Would voting for a goalie who conceded seven be just wrong?

Not really the result you want to wake up to. Still, shit happens. Pity that it is against such a vile bunch as that lot, but it has pretty much always been like that with them. I remember feeling devastated after the three two cup semi final in the 1970s and the five three defeat at Fir Park when their scum of life fans came on the park at two nil to us. This result is just a minor annoyance in comparison. Perhaps, like fine wine, I am just mellowing with age? Seriously though, must have been a tough ninety minutes for our fans who made the effort t go and support the team today. As for those of you who will suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous hundom at work or school tomorrow, try and use it an educational experience in learning how not to behave when your team has a big victory.

No worries. Game is a 4 am kick off here, so will not be awake for it as need to be up for work at 7am. We do now have SPFL coverage on BEIN Sports though. Unfortunately it is the Livi v Celtic game that is being shown live.

Realistically, anything we get from this will be an excellent return. Having said that, they are scarcely unbeatable so hopefully we have a game plan that will put them under some pressure and give us the chance to take something from the fixture.