Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran’s recruitment process for next season is under way despite the threat of relegation to the Championship and his own uncertain future.
Foran already knows he will lose midfielder Greg Tansey, who has agreed a pre-contract deal with Aberdeen, while six more players are out of contract, including Josh Meekings, Kevin McNaughton and Alex Fisher.
Loan deals for Billy Mckay, Jamie McCart, Larnell Cole and Billy King will also expire, and Foran is already working to identify replacements despite the doubt about his side’s top-flight future.
Inverness are four points adrift of both Hamilton Accies and Motherwell, who they face in a crucial match at Fir Park on Saturday, with just six games left to retain their top-flight status.
Foran said: “It started in December. We have to be ahead of the game and have replacements ready because we never know when we’re going to lose players.
“We’ve worked hard since I came in on recruitment and we’re improving our scouting system. We have to have replacements lined up. That’s how it has to work here. I’m confident we can find the next ones.”
Englishman Tansey will become the latest key player to leave Caley Jags and will join up with former teammates Graeme Shinnie, Jonny Hayes and Miles Storey at Pittodrie.
Foran reckons the interest of bigger clubs in his players is an encouraging sign and he is determined to give more players the opportunity to progress at Caledonian Stadium.
He added: “I take it as a compliment. It shows we’re doing something right in terms of recruitment over the years and something right in improving players.
“None of those players left the same players they arrived as. They became better players, whether it was through the coaching or the whole environment.
“Unfortunately, when we improve players, other teams come in and take them. It is part and parcel of football and we have to be ready for that.”