ShakehandsTom - DFC

^^^Has shat it IMO.

So we can now confirm Kaz on the above list and that's us got the ten as far as I can see.

There's some cracking achievements and dedication in this thread, well done folks! Well I've finally done it, after talking about it for ages and threatening to do it, I've signed up for the Glasgow Great Scottish Run Half Marathon in October. I got back into my running at the start of the year, but as always, it's fallen away, and I did my first run (albeit short and by a great pace) for about three months, last week and have got the bug again. So the training starts here! Anyone got any good half-marathon training plans/schedules that would keep me on track (pun intended)?

So we've got 9 grafters for 8.30pm, and awaiting a response from Kaz?

I'm surprised to hear that St.Mirren have released Paul McGinn, I'd have thought they'd have wanted him for at least another year, perhaps with that year being spent on-loan as a preparation to go into their squad for the next season, but hey, if we're interested, it can only aid us in trying to get him onboard for next season. I'd imagine we'd at least make him an offer, I'd love to see him back playing for us next season. If true, I'd be massively surprised if we're even interested in Armand One. He doesn't have a great record at this level, having spent most of his time in the lower leagues, and he doesn't strike me as a 'Murray type' signing. That said, there would be worse options out there we could go for, so I wouldn't be wholly against signing him, albeit there are far better options IMO.

Paul McGinn played for Queen's Park in the 2011/12 season, then moved to St. Mirren. On the hypothetical Hardie and Weatherston debate, I don't doubt that the former would definitely improve our side, and the latter probably would too. Martin Hardie may well be 37, but he's still got a lot to offer as far as I'm concerned, particularly for a side like ourselves. I doubt it's a goer given his thoughts on us from last season, but if it were to come to anything, I'd be very happy if he were to sign, based on what he's still got to give. Weatherston may well also improve us, but he's not the sort of player we should be looking at as far as I'm concerned. He's scored goals consistently in this league, and more heavily below, but he's not the most mobile, and hasn't been prolific enough for me to advocate going after him. As has been suggested already, I'd rather we went after someone with a strong goal-scoring record in the Second Division, Stuart Malcolm or the likes.

Cracking news that Graham has re-signed. His form post-Christmas (as with most, I suppose) was excellent and he was solid at the back in our run-in. Welcome back, Andy!

David W, I presume this was booked when you played last week?

I would be delirious if Geggan were to come home this summer and sign for us. He'd be fantastic to have at the club again. Unfortunately, whatever happens to the Pars, I think there'll be suitors bigger than ourselves circling who may entice him to go elsewhere. We can but hope though!

Absolutely delighted with this news! He was a stand-out who only got better and better as the season went on last year, and he's a lynchpin in our side. Murray has to be commended for managing to get so many of our core signed up for next season already, and as others have said too, well done to the board as well for giving Murray the chance to get CT on board again.

Hope the above is true regarding Turner, although I'll wait to see something official somewhere before breaking out the party hats and banners. I'm hopeful he's enjoyed his first season enough with us to at least give serious consideration to signing with us again, but if (and it's a big IF) he's going to sign for us over a full-time club, it'd be superb to say the least.

With the mention of 'increased training' and the likes, I wouldn't imagine that'll be an issue. As he doesn't have a 'day job' so to speak, I'd presume Smith will make up for the full-time training he's been used to by training a fair bit by himself in addition to squad training.

^^^Has shat it IMO.

Great news this week with Prunty and Smith signing for next season. Prunty scored a good number of goals last season and he's a great option to have. Seems to be a great guy to have in and around the team as well. Bringing Smith in on a permanent deal should be seen as a real coup for us. He was one of our most consistently impressive performers last season, and I'm surprised yet delighted that he didn't get an offer from a full-time First Division side and he's opted to sign for us. We've made a very solid start to the close season, and as others have said, would be even better if we can add Graham, Lithgow and Turner to our squad for next season too.

I'm in if someone from last week isn't in.

It's the very least you deserve, IMO.

#PrayforStaggy

It'd be a shame to lose him, but given that Tranmere Rovers (as the example) are full-time, play at a much higher level, and would likely be offering several times more a week in wages than I imagine we could, I wouldn't grudge him a move to somewhere like that at all. Hopeful we could keep him, but if its true that clubs down south have been keeping tabs on him, then it's probably pretty unlikely.

On Horne - I'd imagine he's been signed as part of the first-team squad (given that he was in the first-team squad last season) but he'll almost certainly be a back-up at best. I've not seen much (if any) of him, so will reserve judgment, but we will require some players to 'bulk up' the squad, and if he's one of them, then fine. On McDougall - Great news that he's joined Gilhaney and Fleming in re-signing for next season. He along with Gilhaney looked like a different player in the second half of the season, and a full pre-season can only do him and the club good for next season. On Ronald - I'd imagine his signing (if indeed he does) will be much akin to that of Horne. We'll need to have bodies in the squad as back-up and I'd rather that we had players like Ronald and Horne as such, and tried to use bigger wages to keep the likes of Turner, Lister and Graham, than spreading ourselves too thin and having a squad full of 'ok' players. Pleased with how things are starting to shape up, with more movement predicted in the coming days, according to the official site.

I don't like the way those odds are continually shortening. Not. At. All.

I was going to say that when you get to your age, people tend to not bother about birthdays, but I see below that that sort of humour has already been covered. Carry on!

He was better in his first loan spell with us, but even then, hardly great.He's been poor in the few occasions he's been fielded this season, and is far too slight for anything at this level or above in my opinion. If he spends the summer in the gym, learns to tackle and becomes more willing to track back then he'd have a chance. But for now, thanks but no thanks. ETA: We'll take Paul McGinn back though please.

I wish David Moyes all the best moving to Old Trafford, he deserves his shot at 'the big time'. He's worked wonders in his time at Everton, and not only taken us to the 'next level' but more impressively kept us there too. The only reservation I'd have is that he doesn't have a huge track record of spending money on big players. He'll be starting pretty much afresh in that respect. Of the names quoted as possible replacements, most of them either fill me with dread, or give a 'meh' feeling at best. Laudrup would be my choice by far, and I really, really hope the bookies' slashing of odds on Lennon isn't an indicator of what's to come. Martinez would be ok I suppose, but as has been said, I think we should be aiming a bit higher than him. Of the rest, folk like Pardew, Hughes and Benitez either won't be or certainly shouldn't be anywhere near it.

Gemmell wasn't prolific, no, but he's been one of our better strikers in recent years. A goal in every three starts is at least 'decent', and substitute appearances can often count for very little, many of them could have been cameos. Flannery, Russell and Lister are all far better strikers, no doubt, but Gemmell wasn't nearly as bad as people make out/recall in his time with us. We've had far worse than him, that's for sure.

I don't know much of Horne, or indeed Pearson or Metcalfe for that matter, but I can't say I'm bothered about any of them being released. They couldn't get into the side this season under Adamson or Murray, even when we were terrible until Christmas, so I'm happy to trust Murray judgement in allowing them to seek a move elsewhere.