Richie Foran toiled through long, hard nights in his newly-occupied manager’s office to make a success of Caley Thistle’s transfer market dealings.
But it was the tireless work of staff around him, from top to bottom at the Highland club, he was keen to credit yesterday for the dramatic upturn that led to the capture of September’s Ladbrokes’ Premiership manager-of-the-month award.
The Irishman’s managerial baptism started positively enough in the League Cup group stages with three wins and a draw featuring a 5-1 win at Dunfermline and 7-1 thrashing of Arbroath.
Come the start of the league campaign, though, early season optimism evaporated in a haze of disastrous performances.
Four straight defeats – including a 5-1 beating by Hearts and unseemly League Cup exit to Alloa – saw some already sharpening knives coming out for the newcomer.
The transformation that began with late August’s 2-1 victory against St Johnstone has been as eye-catching as the poor opening sequence.
Now five games unbeaten, Foran’s shrewdly-fortified squad has also beaten Dundee, while drawing away to arguably the league’s two strongest teams, Celtic and Aberdeen. The draw at Hamilton before the international break was less-satisfying but visiting Rangers will surely tread warily in the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium tomorrow night.
For Foran, there is only brief acknowledgement of his own part in the transformation – and a generous sharing of plaudits among colleagues.
He said: “I think staying calm, from my point of view, was important. If the players see the manager panicking, there is a risk they will panic, too.
“We kept it very positive around the place when we were going through that sticky patch and kept telling the lads we believed in them.
“They believed in themselves and it is the players who turned it around.
“When it comes to the award, I’m delighted for the club, for the players, the backroom staff, the groundsmen, the receptionist, the youth coaches, the supporters.
“Everyone has pulled together since I came in and that is how you win awards like this. I’m happier for everyone else than I am for myself.
“It is more about the team effort than about Richie Foran.”
A high ratio of Foran’s signings have hit the ground running. Billy King, formerly with Hearts and Rangers, and Jake Mulraney, from QPR, offer explosive pace and keen deliveries on the flanks.
Brad McKay, the ex-Hearts and St Johnstone defender, has slotted in seamlessly at right back, while others like powerful French centre forward Lonsana Doumbouya and ex-Manchester United youth Larnell Cole show great potential.
Those late nights of telephone and web research into character, ability and background – and many road miles on scouting missions by assistant manager Brian Rice – appear to have paid off.
Foran acknowledged: “I’m delighted with the success of the signings. That’s all you can ask.
“It takes a lot of hard work and long hours in the office but It has paid off.”