Mr Toon

Indeed, all speculation.

Speculation on Twitter that Harry Stone might have been at Cappielow today. If so it could only be a loan deal, and if so a good one.

He did and also the BBC site named each of them in the squad rather than referring to them as trialists. To be honest I'm not at all sure of the protocol but I thought trialists were always listed as such in the past.

Of course he has to do what he thinks is best for him but we have to do that too . Of course I am not unbiased but I do think he would have been better staying with us and getting some first team football even if not as a regular starter. A two year contract with release clauses would have been a decent option for him one would have thought. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Certainly at the moment seems a real possibility since St Mirren are apparently baulking at the rumoured £50k compensation.

We had him on loan of course and at times he was brilliant and at others didn't seem really committed. He is, at his best a great player and if we can get him he would be a great signing.

A couple of seasons at Morton in the days when the 'sweeper' was a key position he was still although towards the end of his career a class act, reading the game and pretty much always finding a team mate when playing out from the back. Playing with a young George Anderson as Centre Half they were a formidable central defensive partnership. Two gentlemen they were but as hard as nails. Fondly remembered and condolences to his family and friends.

On reading the quote a reasonable interpretation of 'he had turned down the opportunity ' and that 'I decided it was an option that wasn't for me' indicate that he was offered the job but chose not to take it. However the important thing is that he is still with us and a play off place or promotion would certainly increase his reputation and chances, with respect of a move to somewhere better than Firhill.

Interesting fact: Unless it needs to be updated, The number of MCT members has not changed at all throughout the 'period of uncertainty' and the vote. Apparently no one scunnered enough to leave and no one so enthused by the new deal that they have joined. Hopefully a few more will join soin.

As I said, 'Who is there 'in the building' to negotiate a decent deal? Laird has apparently no executive authority, only there in an advisory capacity. If it is the well honed skills of those operating out of Parkhead against Dale, I fear that we might not do too well.

I suppose it's all about balance. £50k is in some senses a derisory sum when you consider it relative to the weekly wage of even the top players at Celtic. So how do you come up with something reasonable. Tie it into a loan deal for another player they want to get playing time and we could use? Insist on at least six figures plus sell on or/and appearance guarantees? We can't afford on the one hand to give players away, nor on the other to lose out by being unreasonable. But who is there 'in the building' to negotiate a decent deal?

It would seem that between now and January, if not sooner, GMFC, MCT and Dalriada should be having serious discussions regarding both the role of and the person acting as chairman. Getting a person in that role who commands the respect of all involved would make a huge difference going forward.

I am pretty sure that Dougie Imrie is,well able to work out for himself which of the options available to him will suit him best. If he gets the opportunity to work at a 'bigger' club, even if by that we mean only a club which can pay him more and he wants to go , I doubt that any of us given all of the circumstances would grudge him the move. However if he remains at Morton and manages to get us performing as well as he has done so far his stock will continue to rise and his chance will undoubtedly come. I very much hope he stays at least to get us out of what seems at the moment a pretty shambolic situation. Everything he has done so far suggests we would struggle to get any one better

Who did?

Really sorry to hear that. I can't remember a time when he wasn't on here, nor a time when he was anything other than pleasant. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to you and all of his family and friends