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The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Aaron Doran indebted to Scottish game for pulling him back from abyss
Should Doran not really be preparing to help Scott Kellacher's side launch an assault on the League One title in the 2025/26 campaign? Does he not still have something to offer Caley Thistle as they attempt to climb back up the divisions? Could he not give his old side a vital cutting edge in the final third? This is the man whose cheeky pass to Marley Watkins before the opening goal in the Scottish Cup final against Falkirk at Hampden back in 2015 is seared into the subconscious of every one of the Highland club's supporters forever. The Irishman himself, though, is more than content with his lot just now. He is grateful that he is able to bring home a regular wage, pay his mortgage and put food on the table for his young family. This time last year the father-of-three was in a dark place both professionally and personally. He had no idea what the future held for him either on the park or off it. Read more: The winger had been shamefully, after over 13 years of outstanding service and more than 400 games, released while he was awaiting an operation for the anterior cruciate ligament injury which he had suffered in a Championship match against Raith Rovers at the Caledonian Stadium just two months earlier. The surgery he was scheduled to receive was cancelled twice without any reason being given. Nobody from the club hierarchy bothered to call him, never mind speak to him face-to-face, to let him know that he wasn't going to be offered an extension. He received his P45 via email. 'I was definitely angry,' said Doran as he looked back on the appalling episode. 'But I was worried as well at the time. I was constantly trying to get in contact with the club, to speak to the people who were in charge. At times they would get back to me and say, 'Yeah, sure, we'll help you, we'll do this, we'll do that'. But eventually they just gave me the cold shoulder, just blanked me entirely. It was a really stressful period. 'I was 32 when I got injured. My contract was due to run out. So I understood the people upstairs at the club were probably thinking, 'We could do without giving him another deal. Then we won't have to pay for his operation. This is a chance for us to save ourselves some money'. 'To be honest, I would have been fine if they had just spoken to me and said, 'We're in financial difficulties, we haven't got the funds to pay for the surgery, we need to let you go'. But to go about it the way they did was wrong. 'I came out and spoke about it in the media. I just felt so strongly about what the club had done, not just to me but to a good few players. I had been at the club for a long time, for over 13 years. I had gone in nearly every day for over a decade and given my all. If they had been honest with me it really wouldn't have been a problem. To be treated like that in the end wasn't great. It was hard.' (Image: SNS Group Jeff Holmes) His friend and former Caledonian Thistle team mate Shane Sutherland had been through exactly the same harrowing experience the year before. The Brora Rangers striker was so incensed when he learned that history was repeating itself that he set up a Go Fund Me page online in an attempt to raise enough money to pay for the career-saving surgery. The contributions soon started to flood in. 'Shane hadn't been happy about getting released while he was injured,' said Doran. 'He didn't like the comments which were made to him at the time either. There was uproar about what happened to him as well. There was definitely a bit of anger there with Shane about how the club treated him. 'He set up the crowdfunding page for me. He didn't ask me if he could do it, he just set it up off his own back. But he spoke to me afterwards and said, 'Even if you only make £500, it's money towards the operation'. Nobody really expected it to get to where it got to. But it made the £10,000 I needed in two days. 'I was really touched. As well as Caley Thistle fans, a few of my former managers and team mates as well as old opponents of mine donated. It was definitely emotional looking at the page and seeing all the names. 'My old bosses John Hughes, John Robertson and Billy Dodds put money in. But so did Kris Boyd and the Souttar brothers, John and Harry. Lewis Vaughn at Raith Rovers sent money too. He has had four ACL injuries himself in his career. I had played against them, but I didn't know them personally. I honestly couldn't believe it when I saw what they had done. 'I just kept looking at the page and thinking, 'Wow! Wow! Wow!' I really appreciated what everybody did for me. Together, they got me the surgery that I needed. It is only because of those players, those managers and those fans that I am back training and playing again now.' Read more: His problems, though, were far from over after he went under the knife. He quickly realised the hopelessness of his predicament as he started his rehabilitation. He was incapacitated, he had no prospect of getting back playing any time soon and he had no money coming in. 'My leg was still in a brace, I couldn't walk, I was on crutches,' said Doran. 'On top of that, I had no job and I knew that I wasn't going to be able to play football for between nine months and 12 months. I didn't think any team would want me anywhere near them. It was a bit of a bleak position to be in.' Salvation came at Strathspey Thistle. Ryan Esson, another Scottish Cup winner who had not been shown the respect which he deserved when he was unceremoniously shown the exit door at Caley Thistle, had just taken over as manager at the ambitious Highland League outfit. He asked his old mucker if he would like to become player-coach. Doran jumped, metaphorically not literally, at the opportunity. He has not had cause to regret his decision on any level. 'It was perfect,' he said. 'I don't think any other club would have done that for me. I was still going to be out for a long time. So it was a good opportunity for me. It has helped me so much over the last year. 'Becky Musset, who was the physio when I was at Inverness, became the Strathspey physio around that time as well. She's been rehabbing me for the last year. So it has worked out pretty well for me. 'I had been thinking about coaching for a while and I had started my B Licence during the Covid season. I think I can see things on a football pitch, I think I can help players. I have learned a little off every manager I have played under since I worked with Sam Allardyce and Terry Butcher.' (Image: SNS Group Ross Parker) Doran is not, though, ready to retire from playing quite yet. He made his return from injury after 14 tumultuous months out in Strathspey's first pre-season friendly against, in a strange quirk of fate, an Inverness Caledonian Thistle Under-19 side at Seafield Park last month. True to form, he scored after coming off the bench. 'It was definitely strange playing against a team in that top,' he said. 'But it was good to get back out there again and great to get a goal. I think I have a few years left in me as a player. I was actually itching to get out onto the pitch last season. If I can get strong again, I think I have a good few years in the Highland League.' Doran will don an Inverness strip at the Caledonian Stadium once again this afternoon before taking to the field with his daughters Keeva, Ayla and Georgie by his side for his long overdue testimonial match against County. New owner Alan Savage gave the game the go-ahead shortly after he had completed his protracted £800,000 takeover last month and so ensured that one of the club's all-time greats will receive a fitting send-off. It is a gesture which suggests that far better times lie ahead. 'Alan agreed to it straight away,' said the player. 'In the past, my testimonial committee proposed games which never suited the people in charge. We could never seem to get it over the line. 'But Alan and Charlie [chief executive Christie] okayed it in about 10 minutes. I think it shows what type of people they are. They want to look after people. Alan has said that players will get the treatment they need going forward. It is good to hear.' It is certainly a far cry from the club which he left in such unfortunate circumstances last year. The financial implosion which occurred in October came as little surprise to those who had witnessed events behind the scenes at close quarters. Read more: 'Towards the end of my time, we noticed there were things getting spoken about that didn't have a lot to do with football, battery farms, concerts, things like that,' said Doran. 'There were a lot of things happening which didn't make a lot of sense. 'We used to get paid on time all the time and then all of sudden we weren't. So we knew there was something going on. As footballers, you just train and play. But there was a big difference from when I had first joined the club. It wasn't being run as well. I could see the change.' He continued, 'The club was in such a negative place when I left. They were talking about the move to Kelty, then the financial problems arose and after that there was administration. It is really good to see how positive it all is now. 'I think they're going to do really well this season, I think they will get promotion. It will be good to see them get back into the Championship and then see where they can go from there.' Doran, who originally hails from Inchicore in Dublin and who represented the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side as a young man, has come an awfully long way, both geographically and professionally, since leaving school and joining Blackburn Rovers back in 2008. (Image: SNS Group Rob Casey) 'I came over when I was just 16,' he said. 'Irish players actually can't do that any longer due to Brexit and FIFA regulations. But one of my team mates in the side I played for in Dublin signed at the same time so that made the move a little bit easier. We lived in a big lodge on the training ground and a family looked after us. 'The first season I was there they were a UEFA Cup team so there were high standards. Mark Hughes was the manager when I first went in and then Paul Ince took over and Sam Allardyce came in after that. But I progressed pretty quickly from the academy to the reserves to the first team. 'It all happened really quickly for me. I made my debut when I was 17. The guys I have played with over the years are probably sick of hearing me talk about it, but I played for Blackburn at the Etihad Stadium, at Stamford Bridge and at Anfield in the Premier League. It was a really proud time for me. 'I made my debut against Liverpool in a game at Anfield that was live on Sky Sports. I came on after half-time. My family were watching on television back home and it was a really emotional moment for them. I thought I would stay involved at the highest level, but, unfortunately for me, it was not to be.' Maybe that should be fortunately. His association with Caley Thistle has been a long and profitable one for both parties. 'One day in January I was called into a room and told I was going to Inverness on loan,' he said. 'Jonny Hayes had scored for Caley Thistle in a 1-1 draw with Rangers the month before and I remembered it. So I knew a little bit about them. 'I Googled them and saw they were in third place in the Premiership. But I didn't know how far they were until I actually drove up. It was a bit of a shock. But they were in a great place at that time. 'Straight away, I loved it. I was young, I got into the starting XI and I played every week. There was a good young squad and I got along with all the other players. After my six months were up it was a pretty easy decision to sign for them. I had a few other options, but I thought it would be best to play as much as I can at my age. 'I have always been proud to be part of the team. We finished in the top six of the Premiership three years in a row, got to the League Cup final, won the Scottish Cup, played in Europe. We went toe to toe with the biggest clubs. We beat Celtic, we beat Rangers. To do all that with a club like Inverness was a great achievement.' Read more: The Scottish Cup win over Falkirk 10 years ago was unquestionably his greatest accomplishment. But the man who set up Watkins for the opener when he dinked the ball between advancing Falkirk defenders Kieran Duffie and David McCracken was almost left on the bench. 'Yogi [Hughes] had a bit of a headache about who to play that day,' said Doran. 'He worried about me getting back down the park sometimes and it was in his mind to play more of a defensive winger. But I got the nod and I was happy to contribute to the opening goal with a nice assist. 'I want to score, to provide an assist, to try and impress, to make things happen, every time I go out on the park. I think I did that on a few occasions. I did that day and was pleased. But I did the defensive work as well. 'We stopped off in a pub in Auchterarder on the way home afterwards and Yogi came up to me, gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, 'I knew you'd pull it out of the bag for me'. I had what I was going to do when I got the ball in my head. I thought their centre-half was going to come out and leave half a yard of space. It worked out perfectly. 'On the training pitch, Yogi's definitely the best coach I've worked under. He wanted to play the football that I like to play. I think everybody learned a lot off him and became a better player. He was a joy to work with. Off the training ground, though, he was a bit of a headcase, a mad man. If you ever found yourself in his office with him you were always trying to get out as quickly as you could.' (Image: Paul Byars - SNS Group) Doran was never in any rush to get away from Inverness. Injuries unquestionably prevented him from achieving his enormous potential as a player. However, he turned down the opportunity to move on to larger clubs in both Scotland and England for more money on more than one occasion. The laidback way of life, the warmth of the people and the stunning scenery have suited this free spirit. 'I love the area,' he said. 'It's a beautiful part of the world to be. I prefer to be somewhere like Aviemore, where I live now, than Dublin or Manchester. I like the freedom that you have up here. Maybe that has a part to play in my longevity at Caley Thistle.' Doran confessed that leaving the relatively cossetted world of professional football and getting a real job for the first time in his adult life had been something of a shock to his system. 'The CEO of Strathspey is also the CEO of The MacKellar Group,' he said. 'He has really looked after me. But, yeah, it has definitely taken a bit of adjusting. I am out in the workshop now. I am learning every day. Everything I do is completely new to me.' Facing Ross County will hold no fears for Doran. He always raised his game for the Highland derby matches and found the target against the Dingwall men on a fair few occasions. It is one of many reasons why the cult hero is so loved in Inverness and will be given a warm send-off by Caledonian Thistle fans this afternoon in his final El Kessocko. 'I have scored more goals against County than any other team,' he said. 'I have scored a few nice ones too. I always enjoyed playing against them. They were the best opponents I could get for my testimonial. I am looking forward to it.'
The National
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Aaron Doran indebted to Scottish game for pulling him back from abyss
Learning that this supremely gifted footballer, an individual who scaled some giddy heights during his time in Scottish football and who only turned 34 back in May, is now a member of the ordinary nine-to-five workforce was surprising. It felt wrong in fact. Should Doran not really be preparing to help Scott Kellacher's side launch an assault on the League One title in the 2025/26 campaign? Does he not still have something to offer Caley Thistle as they attempt to climb back up the divisions? Could he not give his old side a vital cutting edge in the final third? This is the man whose cheeky pass to Marley Watkins before the opening goal in the Scottish Cup final against Falkirk at Hampden back in 2015 is seared into the subconscious of every one of the Highland club's supporters forever. The Irishman himself, though, is more than content with his lot just now. He is grateful that he is able to bring home a regular wage, pay his mortgage and put food on the table for his young family. This time last year the father-of-three was in a dark place both professionally and personally. He had no idea what the future held for him either on the park or off it. Read more: The winger had been shamefully, after over 13 years of outstanding service and more than 400 games, released while he was awaiting an operation for the anterior cruciate ligament injury which he had suffered in a Championship match against Raith Rovers at the Caledonian Stadium just two months earlier. The surgery he was scheduled to receive was cancelled twice without any reason being given. Nobody from the club hierarchy bothered to call him, never mind speak to him face-to-face, to let him know that he wasn't going to be offered an extension. He received his P45 via email. 'I was definitely angry,' said Doran as he looked back on the appalling episode. 'But I was worried as well at the time. I was constantly trying to get in contact with the club, to speak to the people who were in charge. At times they would get back to me and say, 'Yeah, sure, we'll help you, we'll do this, we'll do that'. But eventually they just gave me the cold shoulder, just blanked me entirely. It was a really stressful period. 'I was 32 when I got injured. My contract was due to run out. So I understood the people upstairs at the club were probably thinking, 'We could do without giving him another deal. Then we won't have to pay for his operation. This is a chance for us to save ourselves some money'. 'To be honest, I would have been fine if they had just spoken to me and said, 'We're in financial difficulties, we haven't got the funds to pay for the surgery, we need to let you go'. But to go about it the way they did was wrong. 'I came out and spoke about it in the media. I just felt so strongly about what the club had done, not just to me but to a good few players. I had been at the club for a long time, for over 13 years. I had gone in nearly every day for over a decade and given my all. If they had been honest with me it really wouldn't have been a problem. To be treated like that in the end wasn't great. It was hard.' (Image: SNS Group Jeff Holmes) His friend and former Caledonian Thistle team mate Shane Sutherland had been through exactly the same harrowing experience the year before. The Brora Rangers striker was so incensed when he learned that history was repeating itself that he set up a Go Fund Me page online in an attempt to raise enough money to pay for the career-saving surgery. The contributions soon started to flood in. 'Shane hadn't been happy about getting released while he was injured,' said Doran. 'He didn't like the comments which were made to him at the time either. There was uproar about what happened to him as well. There was definitely a bit of anger there with Shane about how the club treated him. 'He set up the crowdfunding page for me. He didn't ask me if he could do it, he just set it up off his own back. But he spoke to me afterwards and said, 'Even if you only make £500, it's money towards the operation'. Nobody really expected it to get to where it got to. But it made the £10,000 I needed in two days. 'I was really touched. As well as Caley Thistle fans, a few of my former managers and team mates as well as old opponents of mine donated. It was definitely emotional looking at the page and seeing all the names. 'My old bosses John Hughes, John Robertson and Billy Dodds put money in. But so did Kris Boyd and the Souttar brothers, John and Harry. Lewis Vaughn at Raith Rovers sent money too. He has had four ACL injuries himself in his career. I had played against them, but I didn't know them personally. I honestly couldn't believe it when I saw what they had done. 'I just kept looking at the page and thinking, 'Wow! Wow! Wow!' I really appreciated what everybody did for me. Together, they got me the surgery that I needed. It is only because of those players, those managers and those fans that I am back training and playing again now.' Read more: His problems, though, were far from over after he went under the knife. He quickly realised the hopelessness of his predicament as he started his rehabilitation. He was incapacitated, he had no prospect of getting back playing any time soon and he had no money coming in. 'My leg was still in a brace, I couldn't walk, I was on crutches,' said Doran. 'On top of that, I had no job and I knew that I wasn't going to be able to play football for between nine months and 12 months. I didn't think any team would want me anywhere near them. It was a bit of a bleak position to be in.' Salvation came at Strathspey Thistle. Ryan Esson, another Scottish Cup winner who had not been shown the respect which he deserved when he was unceremoniously shown the exit door at Caley Thistle, had just taken over as manager at the ambitious Highland League outfit. He asked his old mucker if he would like to become player-coach. Doran jumped, metaphorically not literally, at the opportunity. He has not had cause to regret his decision on any level. 'It was perfect,' he said. 'I don't think any other club would have done that for me. I was still going to be out for a long time. So it was a good opportunity for me. It has helped me so much over the last year. 'Becky Musset, who was the physio when I was at Inverness, became the Strathspey physio around that time as well. She's been rehabbing me for the last year. So it has worked out pretty well for me. 'I had been thinking about coaching for a while and I had started my B Licence during the Covid season. I think I can see things on a football pitch, I think I can help players. I have learned a little off every manager I have played under since I worked with Sam Allardyce and Terry Butcher.' (Image: SNS Group Ross Parker) Doran is not, though, ready to retire from playing quite yet. He made his return from injury after 14 tumultuous months out in Strathspey's first pre-season friendly against, in a strange quirk of fate, an Inverness Caledonian Thistle Under-19 side at Seafield Park last month. True to form, he scored after coming off the bench. 'It was definitely strange playing against a team in that top,' he said. 'But it was good to get back out there again and great to get a goal. I think I have a few years left in me as a player. I was actually itching to get out onto the pitch last season. If I can get strong again, I think I have a good few years in the Highland League.' Doran will don an Inverness strip at the Caledonian Stadium once again this afternoon before taking to the field with his daughters Keeva, Ayla and Georgie by his side for his long overdue testimonial match against County. New owner Alan Savage gave the game the go-ahead shortly after he had completed his protracted £800,000 takeover last month and so ensured that one of the club's all-time greats will receive a fitting send-off. It is a gesture which suggests that far better times lie ahead. 'Alan agreed to it straight away,' said the player. 'In the past, my testimonial committee proposed games which never suited the people in charge. We could never seem to get it over the line. 'But Alan and Charlie [chief executive Christie] okayed it in about 10 minutes. I think it shows what type of people they are. They want to look after people. Alan has said that players will get the treatment they need going forward. It is good to hear.' It is certainly a far cry from the club which he left in such unfortunate circumstances last year. The financial implosion which occurred in October came as little surprise to those who had witnessed events behind the scenes at close quarters. Read more: 'Towards the end of my time, we noticed there were things getting spoken about that didn't have a lot to do with football, battery farms, concerts, things like that,' said Doran. 'There were a lot of things happening which didn't make a lot of sense. 'We used to get paid on time all the time and then all of sudden we weren't. So we knew there was something going on. As footballers, you just train and play. But there was a big difference from when I had first joined the club. It wasn't being run as well. I could see the change.' He continued, 'The club was in such a negative place when I left. They were talking about the move to Kelty, then the financial problems arose and after that there was administration. It is really good to see how positive it all is now. 'I think they're going to do really well this season, I think they will get promotion. It will be good to see them get back into the Championship and then see where they can go from there.' Doran, who originally hails from Inchicore in Dublin and who represented the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side as a young man, has come an awfully long way, both geographically and professionally, since leaving school and joining Blackburn Rovers back in 2008. (Image: SNS Group Rob Casey) 'I came over when I was just 16,' he said. 'Irish players actually can't do that any longer due to Brexit and FIFA regulations. But one of my team mates in the side I played for in Dublin signed at the same time so that made the move a little bit easier. We lived in a big lodge on the training ground and a family looked after us. 'The first season I was there they were a UEFA Cup team so there were high standards. Mark Hughes was the manager when I first went in and then Paul Ince took over and Sam Allardyce came in after that. But I progressed pretty quickly from the academy to the reserves to the first team. 'It all happened really quickly for me. I made my debut when I was 17. The guys I have played with over the years are probably sick of hearing me talk about it, but I played for Blackburn at the Etihad Stadium, at Stamford Bridge and at Anfield in the Premier League. It was a really proud time for me. 'I made my debut against Liverpool in a game at Anfield that was live on Sky Sports. I came on after half-time. My family were watching on television back home and it was a really emotional moment for them. I thought I would stay involved at the highest level, but, unfortunately for me, it was not to be.' Maybe that should be fortunately. His association with Caley Thistle has been a long and profitable one for both parties. 'One day in January I was called into a room and told I was going to Inverness on loan,' he said. 'Jonny Hayes had scored for Caley Thistle in a 1-1 draw with Rangers the month before and I remembered it. So I knew a little bit about them. 'I Googled them and saw they were in third place in the Premiership. But I didn't know how far they were until I actually drove up. It was a bit of a shock. But they were in a great place at that time. 'Straight away, I loved it. I was young, I got into the starting XI and I played every week. There was a good young squad and I got along with all the other players. After my six months were up it was a pretty easy decision to sign for them. I had a few other options, but I thought it would be best to play as much as I can at my age. 'I have always been proud to be part of the team. We finished in the top six of the Premiership three years in a row, got to the League Cup final, won the Scottish Cup, played in Europe. We went toe to toe with the biggest clubs. We beat Celtic, we beat Rangers. To do all that with a club like Inverness was a great achievement.' Read more: The Scottish Cup win over Falkirk 10 years ago was unquestionably his greatest accomplishment. But the man who set up Watkins for the opener when he dinked the ball between advancing Falkirk defenders Kieran Duffie and David McCracken was almost left on the bench. 'Yogi [Hughes] had a bit of a headache about who to play that day,' said Doran. 'He worried about me getting back down the park sometimes and it was in his mind to play more of a defensive winger. But I got the nod and I was happy to contribute to the opening goal with a nice assist. 'I want to score, to provide an assist, to try and impress, to make things happen, every time I go out on the park. I think I did that on a few occasions. I did that day and was pleased. But I did the defensive work as well. 'We stopped off in a pub in Auchterarder on the way home afterwards and Yogi came up to me, gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, 'I knew you'd pull it out of the bag for me'. I had what I was going to do when I got the ball in my head. I thought their centre-half was going to come out and leave half a yard of space. It worked out perfectly. 'On the training pitch, Yogi's definitely the best coach I've worked under. He wanted to play the football that I like to play. I think everybody learned a lot off him and became a better player. He was a joy to work with. Off the training ground, though, he was a bit of a headcase, a mad man. If you ever found yourself in his office with him you were always trying to get out as quickly as you could.' (Image: Paul Byars - SNS Group) Doran was never in any rush to get away from Inverness. Injuries unquestionably prevented him from achieving his enormous potential as a player. However, he turned down the opportunity to move on to larger clubs in both Scotland and England for more money on more than one occasion. The laidback way of life, the warmth of the people and the stunning scenery have suited this free spirit. 'I love the area,' he said. 'It's a beautiful part of the world to be. I prefer to be somewhere like Aviemore, where I live now, than Dublin or Manchester. I like the freedom that you have up here. Maybe that has a part to play in my longevity at Caley Thistle.' Doran confessed that leaving the relatively cossetted world of professional football and getting a real job for the first time in his adult life had been something of a shock to his system. 'The CEO of Strathspey is also the CEO of The MacKellar Group,' he said. 'He has really looked after me. But, yeah, it has definitely taken a bit of adjusting. I am out in the workshop now. I am learning every day. Everything I do is completely new to me.' Facing Ross County will hold no fears for Doran. He always raised his game for the Highland derby matches and found the target against the Dingwall men on a fair few occasions. It is one of many reasons why the cult hero is so loved in Inverness and will be given a warm send-off by Caledonian Thistle fans this afternoon in his final El Kessocko. 'I have scored more goals against County than any other team,' he said. 'I have scored a few nice ones too. I always enjoyed playing against them. They were the best opponents I could get for my testimonial. I am looking forward to it.'
Press and Journal
30-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Alan Savage on 'innovative' Caley Thistle recruitment plans - including approach to Brighton chief Tony Bloom
Caley Thistle owner-in-waiting Alan Savage plans to forge a link with Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion as just one of several 'innovative' plans for the Highlanders. The former ICT chairman should find out after next Thursday's company voluntary arrangement (CVA) meeting whether his £800,000 offer for the administration-hit League One club has formally been accepted. The summit should draw a line under Inverness' stay in administration, and boss Scott Kellacher can then make signing moves for players – something they're not permitted to do at present. New contracts have already been agreed with existing players Billy Mckay, Danny Devine and Luis Longstaff, plus a host of pros aged 21 or under, while midfielder Adam Mackinnon is also under contract for next season. Having survived in League One during the 2024/25, despite an administration-induced points penalty, the 2015 Scottish Cup winners, hope to make it back up to the Championship in the new season, with financial issues behind them. Savage has a network of people working to attract talent to the Caledonian Stadium this summer. Producing local talent through the club's academy is also a priority, but Savage revealed how he is already using contacts to lure players north – and how he will lead the charge by contacting Brighton and Hove Albion's majority owner and chairman, Tony Bloom to try to forge a link. Bloom – who is set to take up a 29% stake in Premiership Hearts to the tune of a £10million investment – runs the company Jamestown Analytics for recruitment. Savage said: 'There will be a balance between the youth players and those who come in, but in the right proportions – we want to be a Scottish football club. 'Steve Paterson (former ICT manager) has got a contact in Manchester and his job is to find players who have maybe not made it at Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Everton and Bolton, for example, and find them a place in football – he might well be able to get us a couple of good players. 'One of my ambitions is for this area to be the Brighton of the north. I'm going to even write to Tony Bloom to try to see whether we can create a relationship with them. 'Clearly, they can find great players. 'I want the people who work for the club and all the fans and players to just stick to football and the basics, respect one another, and work hard to improve the club. 'We have enough contacts between Charlie Christie (interim CEO), Scott Kellacher, Steve 'Pele' Paterson, and (former director and ex-vice chairman) Graeme Bennett. 'They all want to be innovative, and we will take some risks in what we're doing, but if we take players in from different clubs, we will look after them.' Off the field, plenty of work is ongoing to try to bring in cash now and for years to come. Speaking at the latest Football Memories meeting, run by the ICT Community Trust, Savage highlighted several advanced plans to make the Caledonian Stadium more than just a venue for matchdays. He said: '(Costumes for the) Nessie and Nessa mascots are being made in Manchester. 'I'm also wanting to put a conservatory on the front of the stadium, so we can have a cafeteria. 'I'm also looking to see whether we could even start the North Coast 500 (516-mile road trip around the west Highlands) from here. 'New dugouts have been installed, and there's a new singing section in place. 'A lot of painting has taken place, and some new seating installed. 'It doesn't cost a lot of money, but it is us saying to fans that we appreciate their support and we want them to come back regularly. 'We're working closely with the ICT Supporters' Trust and we'll make sure fans are looked after here. 'On Sunday mornings, for example, we'd have the cafeteria open, and this area will become a focal point. 'We're thinking about building a stage at the back of the North Stand, so this could be like the (former) Ironworks (music) venue in the summer. 'There is no reason why it can't be the centre of the community. 'A lot of businesses have done well in Inverness, besides (Savage's own) Orion Group, and we want to welcome them to the party and ask them to put a few quid in. 'We have a lot of things going on here, which we hope can spin into income. 'It's just about reminding people in Inverness they don't need to support Aberdeen, Ross County, Celtic or Rangers – why not support your own club here? 'I think we can attract more fans, especially when you consider the way we played football here last season. 'Opposition clubs often told us we were the best League One club they played against.' Savage, detailed how the club have also spent money to ensure injured players have been taken care of. This is in sharp contrast to the treatment of former player Aaron Doran last summer, who had to rely on the efforts of fundraising friend Shane Sutherland for helping put money toward much-needed surgery. Savage said: 'This year, we've spent around £30,000 on getting injured players treatment. 'They've not been left like Aaron Doran was. 'We're going to treat people better, stick to the basics, and demonstrate it's a good experience here.' Savage hopes to be confirmed as the owner of ICT imminently and he underlined why he wants 100% ownership in a bid to take the club forward. He added: 'I've had some criticisms from some people, saying I'd be like a baron running the club – but the idea is that I want clarity, governance, and with no distractions. 'If it goes right, it will be my responsibility. And if it goes wrong, it will be my responsibility. I don't mind that. 'I don't like working with committees. 'I asked three other people to put 25% each in and they didn't, so I'm in the position where I'm funding (the club) 100%. 'Therefore, I can't be criticised for running the club in my own way.' Savage also confirmed the club will have new kits delivered and ready for the new season.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Historic SPFL club sign up 11 players and let seven leave as they prepare to rebuild after year of financial turmoil
They are hoping for a better season next year MONEY TALKS Historic SPFL club sign up 11 players and let seven leave as they prepare to rebuild after year of financial turmoil Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TO say it's been a year of ups and downs for Inverness Caledonian Thistle would be an understatement to say the least. But after surviving the drop against all odds and now preparing to exit administration, the club is looking to rebuild for the future. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 It's been a season of turmoil for Inverness Caley but it's ending on high Credit: Kenny Ramsay - Commissioned by The Sun 2 Alan Savage is behind a deal to get the club out of administration Credit: Ken Macpherson - Commissioned by The Sun Glasgow Scott Kellacher - who recently featured on our One-on-One series - was appointed manager in October after previous boss Duncan Ferguson left the club as they were unable to pay him and his players. At that point it looked as though Caley Thistle were doomed. They had been slapped with a 15-point deduction for entering administration and the financial outlook was grim, with club chiefs having knocked back a £1.2m bid to save them. As recent as March the club was at serious risk of going under as there were no serious offers to take them out of the doldrums. The economic issues meant they faced losing up to three-quarters of their playing squad. But last month a deal was agreed that would see them EXIT administration and a few weeks later they officially beat the drop thanks to a 3-0 win over eventual League One champions Arbroath. Inverness aren't completely out of the mire yet but the future looks much brighter now - and they have started planning for next season. Kellacher will aim to build on this season's seventh-placed finish and 11 players have been handed new contracts ahead of the upcoming campaign. Four stars remain locked in talks over extending their deals and a further three youth players have signed their first pro contracts. One player has been released and six loanees have returned to their parent clubs. Scott Kellacher on saving Inverness Caley Thistle from the brink, his Celtic days & meeting Al Pacino A statement from the club read: "Inverness Caledonian Thistle can now give the following squad update following the end of season 2024/25. "The club are pleased to confirm 11 players in total have agreed new contracts and three players from the ICTFC Academy have agreed their first professional contracts. "A full statement regarding the Academy players who have agreed their first professional contracts with the club will be released in due course. "The club can also confirm that striker Ethan Cairns will be released upon expiry of his current contract. Ethan had been with the club since he was 9 years-old and signed for the club full-time in 2021. In total Ethan made 22 appearances for ICTFC and scored once. Everyone at ICTFC would like to thank Ethan for his contributions while at the club and wish him the very best in the future. "Six loan players have returned to their parent clubs: Alfie Bavidge, Ben Brannan, Keith Bray, Connall Ewan, James Nolan and Alfie Stewart. We'd like to thank all the players for their contributions at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC and we wish them the very best in the future. "The club would also like to place on record our thanks to Aberdeen FC, Dunfermline Athletic FC, Kilmarnock FC, Manchester United FC and Ross County FC for their assistance with loan players in 2024/25." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Press and Journal
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Caley Thistle manager Scott Kellacher on why he is not taking a post-season holiday
Caley Thistle boss Scott Kellacher admits there won't be much down-time now the season is over – as he is already putting his plans for next term in motion. Saturday's 2-0 win at Montrose – thanks to Paul Allan and Billy Mckay goals – saw Inverness complete a challenging League One campaign in seventh place. When the administration-hit club were docked 15 points in October, they dropped to minus-three points. But they finished on 43 points – seven points ahead of main relegation play-off rivals Annan Athletic. With would-be owner and former chairman Alan Savage seeking full approval from shareholders following his £800,000 offer for the club before May 22, Kellacher is now seeking to retain as many of his youthful squad as possible for the 2025-2026 campaign. Kellacher will take a holiday – but, for now, he's getting down to the business of building his team, with midfielder Adam Mackinnon the only first-team mainstay under contract. He said: 'The hard work starts now. 'It is important to get it right, because we want to hit the ground running next season. 'You don't get a break in this game – but I wouldn't have it any other way. 'Football has been my life since I was four years old and was kicking a ball around. It is all I've known. 'I'm lucky I've got a family who understands that and lets me get on with it. 'I can't tell you how proud I am, and I told the players after the game. 'It is about the fans, too, and the staff behind the scenes pulling together, Everyone getting back behind the team. 'We knew even in my first game in October when we lost to Dumbarton, we would have something special. 'We lost 3-1 that day, but we played well enough, and our fans stuck by us that day and that's why I am over the moon for them. 'They knew if we got going, we could do something special. We have done something quite remarkable this season. 'I am so happy for everyone.' Around 500 Inverness fans made it a great atmosphere at Links Park at the weekend as they celebrated the club's survival, which was confirmed the week before with a 3-0 canter against champions Arbroath. There was also a large banner with the manager's name on it, showing their support for Kellacher. The head coach said: 'I got emotional when I saw the banner. 'It was great to see our fans as happy as they were. I couldn't believe it – there was easily about 500 at Montrose. That's incredible. 'That's what we want – we want a big following and have more at home, like we did last week with nearly 2,500 fans. 'We want them to see exciting football and everyone to be part of it.' One player who won't be back at Inverness next season in academy graduate Keith Bray. The 19-year-old midfielder, who netted 11 goals this season, signed a deal with Championship side Dunfermline Athletic in January before being loaned back to ICT for their survival fight. Kellacher praised the Isle of Lewis lad and backed Bray to excel back in the Championship – where he had limited game-time as a raw Caley Thistle talent two terms ago. He added: 'Keith has been fantastic, in terms of his attitude and everything he's given to this team. I am delighted he got his move. 'I've said in the past he's been like Graeme Shinnie when he signed a pre-contract with Aberdeen. He gave everything he had, too. 'That's boys who realise what this club has done for them – they gave them the platform- and hopefully Keith goes on to special things. 'He has given everything for the club. His contribution to the team has been fantastic. 'I hope he kicks on. Good luck to him. 'He's shown such quality. 'He just wants to play football. It will be a step up for him, but he's more than capable of playing in the Championship, there is no doubt about it.'
