'Make your mind up' time for ICT and Ross County players
TAKE it or leave ultimatums have been given to out of contract players at Caley Thistle and Ross County — as both clubs look to bring in new faces for their Scottish Premier League campaigns.
Inverness have offered nine of their first team squad new terms, while the Staggies are awaiting responses from four of their promotion winning side because the contracts for each of them expire in under a week.
Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher has set Thursday as the deadline the players to commit their future to the club, while County boss Derek Adams will assess the situation earlier.
Butcher was also keen to point out he and assistant Maurice Malpas have spent up to three months drawing up a list of potential new signings, who fit into the club’s restricted budget.
“We’ve made what we think are decent offers in a challenging financial environment,” said Butcher, who offered new deals during end of season talks last Monday.
“It’s understandable that players need time to make a decision but we have the possibility of bringing in new players and we’re keen to finalise the squad much earlier than we managed to do last season.
“The 31st May is the cut off point for the new contracts for players who were with us this season. I hope they will come back to me by that date and let me know where they stand. It would be nice if most of them decide to stay but it’s their choice.”
Deals have been offered to Jonny Hayes, Ross Tokely, Gregory Tade, Thomas Piermayr, Billy McKay, Owain Tudur Jones, Greg Tansey, Kenny Gillet and Chris Hogg.
Caley Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron and club captain Richie Foran have urged them to agree to stay so they can challenge for a top six place next season.
However, only goalkeeper Ryan Esson has penned a new deal since Butcher’s talks, meaning Inverness have just nine players signed up for the 2012/13 campaign.
“We’re looking at new faces for quite a few sections of the team but it depends whether players in those positions re-sign for us,” Butcher added.
“Once that happens, we will know where we are in terms of squad numbers and can make progress on bringing players in. We’ve done detailed homework and we have prospective new players earmarked.”
Hayes has been strongly linked to fellow SPL side Aberdeen, while attracting interest from several other clubs. Tokely has hinted the new terms he has been offered are not what he is looking for, while Tade has suggested he may consider returning to his native France if given the right opportunity.
The 25-year-old French striker — who joined Caley Thistle last summer — has also been approached by SPL rivals St Johnstone, who are reportedly planning a swoop for goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey after he left Inverness last week.
“Saints informed us they would be speaking to Tade and we appreciate their courtesy — it was a nice gesture,” Butcher commented. “We’ve made our offer to the big fellow and it’s now up to him.”
The Perth club, who will compete in the Europa League next season, is also understood to be keen on County defender Gary Miller. The Dingwall club is waiting a response from the 25-year-old, as well as Scott Morrison, Iain Vigurs and Paul Lawson. “The contracts are on the table but they will not be there forever,” said Adams. “At the beginning of next week we will have an outcome one way or the other.
“There will be no movement on the contracts from our end because they are the best we can do and the players know that.”
Adams would not be drawn on speculation he is interested in former Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond, who has been released by Oldham Athletic, while ex-County defender Alex Keddie was let go by former SPL side Dunfermline.
• An injury has forced Caley Thistle winger Aaron Doran to withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland under-21s squad to face Denmark on Monday and Italy on 4th June.