Hartley popular with ICT fans for vacant manager's role

PAUL Hartley would be a popular choice with supporters as Caley Thistle’s hunt for a new manager moves ever nearer to a conclusion.

The club confirmed in midweek that they anticipated naming a successor to former boss Terry Butcher by the middle of next week.

Some candidates have already been interviewed, while others with club commitments were expected to be spoken too by today.

The plan after this is for the shortlist to be reduced to just two over the weekend, who will then meet with Caley Thistle’s board, before a final decision is taken next week.

The identities of the managers Inverness are reportedly showing an interest in have been wide and varied, but reports emerged on Tuesday that Championship side Alloa Athletic had given the Highland Capital club permission to speak to their boss Hartley.

The 37-year-old is currently rated as one of the Scotland’s best young managers having guided the Wasps, who are part-time, to consecutive promotions since taking charge two years ago.

Caley Thistle’s interest in Hartley has certainly gone down well with the majority of fans given the impressive start he has made to his managerial career.

Inverness, however, are understood to have held talks with the former Falkirk and Hibernian manager John Hughes as well, while ex-Dundee United boss Peter Houston has been linked, along with one-time Kilmanork manager Kenny Shiels.

Michael Appleton, who has been in charge at Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool and former Caley Thistle manager Craig Brewster, currently assistant manager at English Conference South side Whitehawk, are two names that emerged yesterday as being credited with an interest in the vacant post, but neither are thought to be in the running.

As the search for a new Caley Thistle manager continues, Duncan Shearer, alongside fellow under-20s coach Scott Kellacher and captain Richie Foran, are keeping first-team affairs ticking over.

The hope had been to have Butcher’s successor in place before tomorrow’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Morton at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, but Shearer will find himself in the dugout once more having found himself thrust into that position for last weekend’s 1-0 win over St Johnstone.

It is not a role Shearer himself concedes at being entirely comfortable with, but it has gven him a chance to work with the senior squad and he believes that whoever takes charge will be in a most fortunate position given the players he will have at his disposal.

"They are an incredible bunch and I did say to them after the St Johnstone game that I could understand how the gaffer and Maurice Malpas were so upset at leaving a group of players like this," said Shearer.

"I’ve just been involved in the first-team dressing room over the last few weeks. My place is with the under-20s.

"Although I’ve taken some sessions with the first-team, I’ve seen first hand how they go about their business and how they work together.

"It’s going to be a fantastic job for someone to take over."

From a players perspective, it has been very much business as usual with Butcher’s departure not having had an adverse reaction following wins over Hibernian and St Johnstone that have extended Caley Thistle’s unbeaten run to four matches.

"I think we’ve shown that the last few weeks," said striker Billy McKay. "We’ve not let it affect us at all.

"We’ve just got on with our jobs and that’s testament to how strong the players character is here.

"Everyone’s just got on with what they have to do without needing that encouragement from the sidelines."

McKay, who dismissed stories linking him with a move to English League One side Rotherham United as little more than speculation, insists Caley Thistle will in no way be taking Championship side Morton lightly, especially given the fact they knocked Celtic out of the League Cup earlier in the season.

"We’re not going to rest and think that it’s an easier game because we’re playing someone in the division below," said the 25-year-old.

"We’re going to take it as if we’re against another Scottish Premiership team and go out there and make sure our standard of performance is right."

Skipper Foran is suspended for Caley Thistle tomorrow, so either Liam Polworth or Danny Williams are expected to start.