Caley Thistle captain Richie Foran hints at summer departure
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RICHIE Foran could leave Caley Thistle this summer over a lack of first-team football.
The influential captain, a stalwart of the side since his arrival in 2009, admitted he is disappointed with his lack of action this season and will discuss his future with John Hughes and chairman Kenny Cameron next week.
A severe knee injury sidelined Foran for the entirety of last season but he feels during this campaign, he has not been able to contribute as much as he would like. Foran has made 10 appearances, just one of those coming from the start, and has been reduced to cameo roles late in games. He came on in stoppage-time against Hamilton Accies on Wednesday night.
Talk of retirement was rubbished too, with the 35-year-old insisting he still has what it takes to play in the Premiership.
“I’ll review my situation next week and see what I want to do. I don’t want to be sitting on the bench all of next season, so I’ll have to speak to the manager and the board and see where we’re going. Personally it’s disappointing but for the club, it’s been an OK season,” he said.
“I won’t be calling it a day – I have another year on my contract. I’m not getting any younger but I want to keep playing. I believe I’m fit enough and strong enough and have enough quality to play in this division.
“I’ll have to have a chat with the manager and see where I am in that department. I’ll also have a word with the chairman and the board to see if it would be possible to get out (of the contract) a year early, if that is the way I’m going to go. There’s a lot to talk about next week.
“It’s been disappointing with the game-time I have had but such is life. That’s the manager’s decision and it’s not about Richie Foran, it’s about the club.
"I’ve been positive and I’m proud of the way I’ve conducted myself. I have had a chance now and again and I’ve kept both my own and the boys’ heads up.”
Losing their club captain, a valuable dressing-room influence, would be a massive blow to the club. Other high-profile figures like Dean Brill and David Raven look set to depart and should Foran – one of just eight signed up for next season – go the same way, Caley Thistle will face a frantic summer to build a side for next season.
It also follows conflicting messages from influential figures at the club this week. Cameron stated on Tuesday that Hughes had been given money to spend this season, amounting to the Caley Jags’ biggest ever budget, while the manager expressed surprise at the lack of progress over Greg Tansey’s new contract prior to the Accies game.
Deals have been offered to Devine, Owain Fon Williams, Iain Vigurs and Aaron Doran and Hughes hoped to have them tied up by the end of this week. However, as the Inverness Courier went to press, those negotiations had not been concluded.
“We’ve got a few lads out of contract and I know the club are working hard on keeping them. Hopefully we’ll get a few more tied up in the next few days,” added Foran. “Maybe a couple of wins at the end of the season and some good performances can help attract new players too.”
Midweek results – Caley Thistle’s win over Hamilton and Dundee’s draw with Kilmarnock – mean a point against Paul Hartley’s side tomorrow will guarantee Inverness seventh spot. It will guarantee the club £313,250 in prize money, compared to £260,500 awarded for finishing eighth.
“There’s a lot to play for now and it could end up a really good season. We were disappointed a few weeks ago not to reach the top six because it doesn’t meet the standards we’ve set,” said Foran.
“To finish seventh could constitute a good season, given what we’ve been through with injuries and other stuff that’s gone on. If we can finish on a high that will give us a lift going into next season.”
