Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Podcaster urges Caley Thistle fans to rally behind boss Duncan Ferguson

The Wyness Shuffle's Stevie Riley admits the new manager wasn't his first choice - but is eager to see him turn the tide at Inverness.

Caley Thistle podcaster Stevie Riley reckons recruiting Duncan Ferguson will take interest levels through the roof.

While The Wyness Shuffle contributor is uneasy about the former Scotland, Rangers and Everton forward netting a three-year deal, he sees the benefits of bringing such a high-profile name to the Highlands as Billy Dodds’ successor.

Inverness are at the foot of the Championship and will need to defeat an in-form Arbroath side at Gayfield on Saturday to have any chance of overtaking Morton, who face Airdrie.

Podcaster, Stevie Riley who has urged Caley Thistle fans to support new boss
Stevie Riley, of The Wyness Shuffle podcast.

Ferguson was manager of Forest Green for six months this year until he left the club in July following their relegation to League Two down south.

He won just one of his 18 matches in charge, but a fine reputation as a coach and interim then assistant manager at top-flight Everton is why Inverness made him their top pick.

Interest soars in ICT after boss move

Robbie Neilson, who guided Dundee United and Hearts to Championship titles in 2020 and 2021, would have been Riley’s choice, while Callum Davidson, who led St Johnstone to a sensational cup double two years ago was an early bookies’ favourite after Dodds was sacked.

Morton manager Imrie was a whisker away from taking his team into the top four last season on a shoestring budget and that’s why he was a contender.

Riley is sure the spotlight will very much be on Inverness, with Ferguson in charge.

He said: “I will back Duncan and it has the feel of when Terry Butcher came to the club, although Terry had a good career with Motherwell before he came to us. But this will get more eyes on the product.

Robbie Neilson
Robbie Neilson on the Championship with Dundee United and Hearts. Image: SNS Group

“The club was trending on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, which is unique for us, so it’s an appointment which has raised the interest.

“I am sure he will motivate the boys, there’s no doubt about that. The thing I question the most is he’s not been in Scotland for nearly 30 years and we’ve given him a three-year deal. I don’t know where the money is coming from. It’s a big statement from the club.

“If I’m being honest, I’d have rather than have had Callum Davidson, Robbie Neilson or Dougie Imrie, but I will back him.

Neilson was Riley’s preference for job

“For me, Robbie Neilson is a winner and he would have kept people happy, but I think people will mainly complain about the length of his contract, rather than the fact it’s Duncan.

“The appointment has split fans’ opinion, but any appointment would.”

Team target victory away to Arbroath

It’s a new chapter for Inverness from this weekend as they head to tackle Dick Campbell’s Arbroath where a much-changed ICT line-up recently lost 4-2 in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

And Riley is sure the Caley Jags players will be determined to reach peak levels in order to get their new manager off to the ideal start.

He added: “I think Duncan will get the full backing of the fans, who obviously want a win on Saturday.

Duncan Ferguson in his first ICT media conference this week
Duncan Ferguson in his first ICT media conference this week. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson.

“There will be more cameras on the touchline watching Dick Campbell and Duncan Ferguson than will be watching the game.

“We owe Arbroath one after the SPFL Trust Trophy game, but we have got a good record at Gayfield overall.

“I think it might even be a nice day, so I expect us to put a strong performance in and hopefully we can get three points straight away.”

Conversation