Caley Thistle defender Gary Warren insists the speculation surrounding manager John Hughes has not impacted on the dressing-room.
Speculation linking Hughes with a move to Dundee United ended last week when the Tangerines, who were rebuffed in an approach for permission to speak to the Caley Jags manager, appointed former United attacker Mixu Paatelainen as Jackie McNamara’s successor at Tannadice.
The appointment brought to an end uncertainty surrounding the Inverness manager but there was an unhappy end to the week as Caley Jags lost 2-0 at Kilmarnock on Saturday.
But Warren, who is recovering from a broken leg suffered on the opening day of the season, says the speculation has not affected the players.
He said: “We’re used to it. Terry Butcher left and it’s been similar to that. The players we’ve got here are honest and hard-working, so things like this don’t really affect them.
“Terry went to Hibs and we were left with no manager at the time for a few weeks and we did well then. The manager was in a situation — but the last few weeks have been like any other.
“There are similarities with the stage of the season it’s at. It’s not as far along as when Terry left but players are just starting to get used to playing again after the summer break.
“It didn’t work out for Terry at Hibs and the manager had an option to go to Dundee United. It’s pleasing to see he’s staying and it will be good for the club.”
While the squad has dealt comfortably with the speculation surrounding their manager, Warren believes Caley Thistle’s success in retaining the core personnel has been crucial to the success of the team, culminating in last season’s Scottish Cup win under Hughes.
But the Inverness defender believes the credit for the club’s continued improvement should be shared with the colourful Hughes.
He said: “We’ve had a settled squad for the last four years and the same nucleus of players. You see how continuity has kept the squad settled and shown in terms of our league and cup results.
“That’s massive for a club like this. He’s feeding the same ideas to the same group of players and last year was our most successful. Whenever you get a continuity of players and management staff that stick together for a number of years, it’s always going to be good for the club.
“New managers come in with new ideas and players then have to change from what they’re used to. It can be unsettling. Players might not like the way of playing or not played it before. We’re thankful we’ve had that continuity.
“The manager just gets on with his day-to-day business. For him, it’s part and parcel of the job and it’s a normal routine for him.
“He cycles into work every day and always has a smile on his face, so unless he’s hiding stuff you wouldn’t think he didn’t enjoy it. He’s brilliant to have around the place because he’s always laughing and joking but he’s got that element of seriousness where you know how to act around him.”