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Andy Skinner: John Hughes to Dundee United? Caley Thistle need to keep their man

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Speculation linking John Hughes with Dundee United may have cooled in recent days – but that should not stop Caley Thistle pressing ahead to prolong his stay in the Highlands.

Hughes quickly emerged as a candidate to replace Jackie McNamara, after his former Celtic team-mate was sacked by Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson in the wake of last month’s 2-1 defeat by St Johnstone.

Thompson is believed to be a keen admirer of the job Hughes has done at Caledonian Stadium, and he is sure not to be the only one.

Hughes presided over Caley Jags’ most successful season last year, breaking three separate records by winning the Scottish Cup, finishing third in the Premiership and qualifying for Europe – all for the first time.

 

Inverness are brushing off speculation surrounding manager John Hughes
Inverness are brushing off speculation surrounding manager John Hughes

It’s a record that was always bound to attract attention at some stage.

While Inverness supporters will not rest fully at ease until an appointment is made on Tayside, Thompson appears to be casting his eyes towards other targets – for now. Talks have been held with free agents Stuart McCall, Mixu Paatelainen and Alan Irvine, while an approach to speak to St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has been rebuffed by the Perth club.

Saints are now intent on extending Wright’s contract at McDiarmid Park, and are believed to be close to striking a deal, but Inverness should not wait until an approach is made before they take similar measures. They need to act ahead of the game.

Hughes’ current deal expires at the end of the season, and although he says no discussions have taken place as yet, he has recently spoken of his contentment in the Highland capital.

He expressed one gripe, though; the common occurrence of losing players to other teams. In the past few weeks, he has come up against former Caley Jags favourites Billy Mckay and Graeme Shinnie in the colours of rival Premiership teams.

The Aberdeen side Shinnie was part of also included Adam Rooney and Jonny Hayes – central figures of the team built by Hughes’ predecessor, Terry Butcher. The departure of key players is an inevitability every Inverness manager has had to face.

It seems unlikely Hughes would look to try and jump ship because of that, however. In recent weeks he has appeared genuinely excited about attempting to meet the challenge of rebuilding the team by modest means.

While form has improved in recent weeks, there remains so much left to achieve.

Ryan Christie
Ryan Christie

The prospect of finishing in the top six was virtually ridiculed just a few weeks ago, but back-to-back wins against Aberdeen and Ross County have swung the mood entirely at Caledonian Stadium. Inverness are also making good strides in the League Cup, and should they repeat their victory against their Highland rivals in this month’s last-eight encounter, they will be just 90 minutes away from a third cup final in as many seasons.

Proving the doubters wrong is what Hughes thrives on, so there is plenty to keep him going for now.

If the opportunity does come for Hughes to move on, his contractual situation affords him a fairly strong degree of power in determining his own future. Compensation would not be off the scale, and it would only be natural for him to be pondering what could lie ahead should his contract run into its final stages.

The fact he has been talked up for the United job should act as a warning for Caley Thistle. If a club really wants Hughes in the future, compensation will not stop them getting their man. But common knowledge of the fact he has only a few months remaining will only serve to attract more unwanted attention come the next vacancy, increasing the risk of Hughes becoming tempted to move elsewhere.

Signing a new deal would send out a strong statement, to kill off any doubts that Hughes is committed to meeting the next challenge that awaits him at Caley Jags.