But this new addition to the team will not be showing off his skills on the pitch. Instead the Rev Hugh Watt will be providing spiritual support to the squad as club chaplain — a role given added significance by the death last weekend of Motherwell club captain Phil O'Donnell, who died of heart failure after collapsing during a match with Dundee United.

"At Motherwell it would be crucial to help the boys after Phil's death and to be there for his family, but it is not just for things like that," said the Rev Watt, minister at Urquhart and Glenmoriston parish church in Drumnadrochit.

"You have to be aware of things like when a player's mum dies. There will be sad times but I hope it will also be about happy times too."

"I am not there to pray for victory, but I will be praying for the boys and making sure they have someone they can confide in and get spiritual help for any aspect of their lives," he added.

"If the players are able to go onto the pitch feeling good within themselves that should help their game. Most businesses now recognise that human beings are more than just body and mind."

The Rev Watt is already a season ticket holder at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium and was offered the chaplaincy by club chief executive Mike Smith. He will be available to everyone, from staff on the turnstiles to manager Craig Brewster.

"All chaplaincy, whether it is in a hospital, school, prison or a football club, involves some kind of pastoral relationship with the people there," the Rev Watt explained. "I would hope to become a friend of the staff and be available for them if there is anything they need to talk about.

"In the early stages that will involve chatting to them and sharing in their lives.

The Rev Hugh Watt shows his true colours on being appointed chaplain of ICT where he will offer pastoral care to players and staff. Iona Spence

"In football there are no preaching opportunities but it is about helping when help is required."

He attended the first match since his appointment last Saturday and watched Caley Thistle beat Kilmarnock 3-1. He was joined by the Rev Neil Urquhart, an old university friend and Kilmarnock's chaplain.

"We played together in Aberdeen University's divinity faculty football team," the Rev Watt said. "He has been Killie's chaplain for three years so he will be able to pass on his experience and advice.

"There are some specific issues related to football. The uncertainty for young boys who don't know whether they will get a contract can be very hard, and part of it is letting them have someone to talk to who is not a paid club official."

g.burke@inverness-courier.co.uk

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