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No rush in Caley Thistle recruitment, says Gardiner

Scot Gardiner and John Robertson (left).
Scot Gardiner and John Robertson (left).

Caley Thistle chief executive Scot Gardiner says the Highlanders will be prepared to take their time before making signings ahead of the new Championship season.

Inverness will return to action in the Betfred Cup which begins on October 6, with the league campaign getting underway 11 days later away to Dunfermline.

Caley Jags’ sole addition of the summer is former Elgin City forward Shane Sutherland, who signed a pre-contract agreement in January.

Although Gardiner confirmed talks have been held with other potential arrivals, he expects signings will be made closer to the campaign’s start date.

Gardiner said: “We identified the positions that we required to fill quite a while ago. That has not changed.

“We have been in discussions with various targets we’ve had since before June, when we started to speak to people.

“It’s definitely a buyer’s market at the moment, so there is no rush.

“We have been in discussions with players, and talked about offers and numbers with players.

“Because of the unusual scenario we find ourselves in, there is no mad rush.

“We won’t be back training until some time in September. I want to keep the team on furlough as long as possible.”

The Championship will start nearly three months after the top flight started, which Gardiner says could impact manager John Robertson’s recruitment.

He added: “Prior to this we had a situation where, particularly for Championship clubs, they all waited to see what was happening with Premiership clubs.

“Both of our seasons started at the same time prior to this year, so Premiership clubs would go on their pre-season tour, look at their squad in the first two or three games and look to see who they wanted in the squad.

“There was a separate market which then sprung up from Premiership clubs.

“That is totally different because they have started in August, and we are starting in October.”

Inverness’ opening day trip to East End Park is followed by back-to-back home matches against Ayr United and Arbroath, with Gardiner aiming to be prepared for matches both with and without supporters.

Gardiner added: “We are planning for both scenarios.

“It changes from week to week, or even within three days in relation to where you can travel without quarantine.

“I wouldn’t say I’m hopeful, we are just planning for both options.

“We are putting in a pixalot camera anyway. We have to plan for all variations right now.

“It’s still a distance away, we are still talking two-and-a-half months.

“If what has happened in the last two-and-a-half months is any indicator in relation to what can happen in the next two months, who knows?

“We have started to plan and look at things much more seriously.

“I wouldn’t say I’m hopeful or not hopeful – we are just planning for both because two-and-a-half months is a long time.”