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Billy Mckay becomes the latest goal machine to leave the Highlands

Craig Brewster is backing John Hughes to replace Billy Mckay
Craig Brewster is backing John Hughes to replace Billy Mckay

Billy Mckay is poised to follow a familiar path away from the Highlands with a move to the English Championship and Wigan Athletic.

Former Caley Thistle manager Craig Brewster has seen a good number of excellent attacking talents make their names at Inverness before being taken away by the riches on offer.

After scoring 62 goals in 141 appearances for Inverness, Mckay is the latest.

Billy Mckay enjoyed a highly successful three and a half years
Billy Mckay enjoyed a highly successful three and a half years

And Brewster believes the challenge for manager John Hughes is to find the next goalscoring talent.

Brewster, who had two spells in charge of the Highlanders and was also assistant-manager to Derek Adams at Ross County, said: “John has done a fantastic job, but when a club like Inverness are doing well the players scoring goals come under the spotlight.

“I don’t know Billy, I have never met him, but I’ve heard a lot of good reports about him.

“He’s certainly a goalscorer, and they will always be sought after.

“There’s been speculation a few clubs have been sniffing around him, and that’s the hard thing for Inverness.

“When I came into my first job at Inverness, I signed Craig Dargo after he left Kilmarnock, who did really well for me. After me, Charlie Christie signed Marius Niculae who also did well, albeit only for a year.

Craig Dargo found the back of the net while playing for Brewster in Inverness
Craig Dargo found the back of the net while playing for Brewster in Inverness

 

Marius Niculae proved to be a shrewd goalscoring signing
Marius Niculae proved to be a shrewd goalscoring signing

“When I came back I then signed Adam Rooney from Stoke City, who was brilliant for the club over three years, and most recently, it was Terry Butcher who signed Billy.

“But these players all moved on. Now John will have to pull one of those types out the bag. He needs to try to get someone in to score goals.”

Brewster joined the Caley Jags as player-manager in 2004, but after leaving to join Dundee United two years later he returned for a second spell in 2007.

Although he was sacked little more than a year later, the 48-year-old retains a strong affinity for Caley Thistle, and reckons there are several positives for Hughes to draw on in his attempts to sell the club to new players.

Adam Rooney scored for fun for Caley Thistle before joining Aberdeen
Adam Rooney scored for fun for Caley Thistle before joining Aberdeen

Brewster added: “Inverness is a fabulous place. It’s a great environment. It’s maybe out of the road, but there are a lot of good people and it’s a great part of the world.

“It’s hard getting players up there, but once they are there they absolutely love it. John will have to try to get a player in who wants to be there, so the side can kick on again.

“Inverness can’t pay big wages but they’re a club that gives every player an opportunity.

“It’s a stable club and a really good environment. Nine times out of 10 players come good up there. But when a Championship team comes calling? There’s nothing the club can do.”