Greg Tansey may have committed his future to Aberdeen, but the midfielder’s work for Caley Thistle is far from done.
Tansey’s pre-contract agreement with the Dons finally ends more than a year’s worth of speculation over his future, which all began when a deadline day move to Pittodrie was controversially thwarted last January.
Two transfer windows have passed since then without any further movement, but with the 28-year-old coming to the end of his contract, Reds manager Derek McInnes has finally succeeded in landing his man.
The announcement comes at a point when Tansey is particularly on song for the Highlanders. His recent performances, polished off with three goals in his last seven games, have been crucial to a Caley Jags revival which has seen them move off the bottom of the table.
The last thing Richie Foran needs is for this news to disrupt that momentum, but the Inverness manager has been expecting it for some time now. Tansey turned down a new deal just before the turn of the year, with Foran at that stage declaring it 80% likely the Englishman would depart. This has simply been the confirmation of what was always coming.
Little as it will surprise Caley Jags supporters, the sight of another player heading eastbound along the A96 will frustrate them. Dons supporters will get a glimpse of their new man in what promises to be a tasty Pittodrie encounter on Tuesday, as they cheer on a Reds side that already includes former Inverness favourites Graeme Shinnie, Jonny Hayes, Adam Rooney, Miles Storey and Ryan Christie. The level to which Shinnie, Hayes and Rooney in particular have advanced their respective careers since moving to the Granite City will have incentivised the move for Tansey and the Aberdeen faithful will hope he is the latest success story.
In the meantime, it is back down to business as Inverness desperately scrap to secure their top-flight status. Nine games remain, and only goal difference separates them from bottom-placed Hamilton Accies. They climbed off the foot of the table thanks to their 1-1 draw against Ross County a fortnight ago, but there remains a long road ahead in pursuit of Premiership survival.
Caley Thistle’s season has been a disappointing one for Tansey to end with. It has been a largely successful second spell at the club since rejoining from Stevenage in 2014, with Tansey netting three goals during the Highlanders’ triumphant Scottish Cup run the following season, and also helping the club take their first steps in European football.
No matter what happens in the forthcoming weeks, Tansey’s departure will not match the glamour of that of Shinnie, whose final act in a Caley Jags jersey was to hold aloft the club’s first major silverware two years ago. The last thing he will want is for his departure to coincide with Inverness’ relegation though, so rest assured he will be giving his all to ensure he is lining up against his old club on Premiership duty next term.