Caley Thistle manager John Hughes reckons Greg Tansey’s best years are still ahead of him after the midfielder agreed a two-year contract extension with the club yesterday.
Hughes made Tansey his first signing as Inverness manager 12 months ago when he brought the Englishman, who had previously played for the club under predecessor Terry Butcher, back to the Caledonian Stadium from Stevenage.
Former Falkirk and Hibernian manager Hughes has been delighted with the impact Tansey has made since, but believes the 26-year-old can become even better after committing his future with Caley Jags until 2017, with the option of another year.
Hughes said: “I’m delighted because Greg’s at a good age. He has the experience of being here, going away and coming back.
“He’s coming into the years now where he’s turning into a leader and epitomises everything we want to do at the club in terms of being a good footballer – getting on the ball, being brave, passing, short and long.
“He’s a good role model for the rest of them because, every day, he’s right at it. He trains really well, so much so if I was giving him advice I’d tell him to take a bit off it.”
Hughes hopes Tansey’s decision to stay with the club will convince some of the other out of contract players to follow suit.
Graeme Shinne, Marley Watkins, Billy Mckay and Josh Meekings are all in the last six months of their deals with the club.
Hughes said: “It’s great to get him tied up and I’m just hoping he inspires the rest of the players who are out of contract to follow suit.
“I was always aware of him, during his first spell in Inverness. We knew he wasn’t too happy at Stevenage and, making inquiries with people I knew, they all said we wouldn’t get any better.
“We put a lot of responsibility on Greg to get us started in games as the playmaker.
“He is coming into those years where he can still benefit from a wee bit of education and then he needs to coach others. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“There is another year’s education and learning for Greg at this club for him to be a better player.”