The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Only way is up as under-fire Fergie draws fan flak at ICT
Duncan Ferguson is sweeping towards a year in charge of Caley Thistle – but that honeymoon period at the start of his tenure seems a lifetime away.
Even before their relegation from the Championship at the end of last season, the former Rangers star was swimming against the tide as he sought to turn around poor form amid injury issues.
The ICT boss has taken a pay cut since dropping down to League One, and each passing story of chaos – from the proposal to train at Kelty, exiting player fallouts, a continued lack of communication, and a trimmed-down squad to under-20s level – put them behind their rivals before a ball was kicked.
A disastrous financial mess was left for ex-chairman Alan Savage to pick up as he persuaded enough key shareholders to switch their loans of more than £3 million into equity – or wipe those balances out completely.
Savage is going through the books, paying bills that should have been dealt with ages ago, and getting ICT into shape as a club worth selling, with a Portuguese wealth management group looking like the front-runners, aided by £2.1 million of funds to invest by all accounts.
The call from Sir Alex Ferguson that urged the club to stick with their manager opened many eyes, and Savage took note. Who wouldn’t?
Yet Saturday’s goalless draw at leaders Kelty still left Inverness winless and some fans are calling for Ferguson to go.
The lack of goals – just two in their first four league matches – is frustrating for everyone at the club right now.
When Ferguson emerged from the blue to replace Billy Dodds as the Inverness manager last September, there was intrigue and excitement aplenty. The team had one point from six league matches and had scored just three goals.
Four wins and three draws represented a sharp upturn in form, which began with a fist-pumping* big Dunc celebration and jubilant fans after a 3-2 win at Gayfield.
But then it was a term where every up was followed by a down as he couldn’t quite push the team away from the danger zone.
Loan signings made in January, such as Leeds United defender Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and Everton midfielder Sean McAllister, were hampered by injuries. The Caley Jags almost escaped the drop but lost their play-off final against Hamilton Accies.
Ferguson last week claimed he might well have the youngest competitive team within English and Scottish football as he stressed he will support and guide them to the very best of his ability.
It has been challenging and he is the first to acknowledge that results matter most. This young Inverness team are just four matches into the new League One season and the message is clear from consultant-owner Savage and interim CEO Charlie Christie.
This squad, despite their youthfulness, should be good enough to make a promotion push.
The signing of former Dunfermline midfielder Paul Allan should help, while 18-year-old Aberdeen forward Alfie Bavidge remains a key target.
It is widely acknowledged this is not a particularly strong division. There is no big-hitting club such as last year’s champions Falkirk to deal with.
Thankfully, with Savage and former ICT player and boss Christie by his side, Ferguson should have all the support he needs to get the best from his squad.