Caley Thistle defender Danny Devine keen to resolve future after receiving offer of two-year extension
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DANNY Devine is keen to tie up his future as soon as possible and sign the two-year contract on offer from Caley Thistle.
The central defender has been a virtual ever-present this season and feels this has only pressed home his case for a longer-term deal.
In a marked contrast to last season, where Devine struggled for minutes due to the form of Gary Warren and Josh Meekings, he has missed just one game – he was suspended for the 2-1 loss to Kilmarnock in January – and has played 90 minutes in every other fixture.
Devine’s commitment comes as a much-needed boost to the Caley Jags, who struggled for natural defenders in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Hamilton Accies. Danny Williams, Lewis Horner and Nat Wedderburn, all midfielders by trade, filled in at the back alongside Devine as Inverness slipped to their third league defeat on the bounce.
With so much to play for over the coming four games before the split, Devine is keen to tie up contract negotiations early.
“I’m discussing it with the club, my family and my agent and trying to get it sorted as soon as possible,” he said. “It was just before the cup final last time it got done so I’m looking forward to getting it done and dusted as soon as possible.
“I’m very pleased, with a two-year offer, that the club thinks that much of me. I’m just trying to repay them with my performances on the pitch. Last year I didn’t get much game time but for me personally, it’s been a good year.”
Devine is one of several players to have offers on the table from the club, with Williams, Horner, Liam Polworth and Owain Fon Williams also being offered extensions.
While resolving his off-field future may seem relatively simple, Caley Thistle’s on-field trajectory may well hinge on their performances in the next two games. A Scottish Cup quarter-final replay with Hibernian awaits tomorrow night and the prize for the victor is a Hampden Park date with Dundee United on April 16. Following that is a do-or-die Highland derby with Ross County, which could determine which of the two clubs finishes in the top half.
The importance of these two contests is not lost on Devine, who hopes the prospect of another cup semi-final could raise a few of the walking wounded back into first-team contention.
“We’re raring to go for Wednesday and there’s no better game to get going. It’s a chance to get to Hampden again and hopefully that gives us a big boost heading into the derby,” said Devine.
“The way the league is now, it makes the Ross County game even bigger. We enjoy playing over there and picked up some positive results over there. We’ll be looking to do the same.
“It’s time like this where you need some of the boys in the physio room to get on the pitch and help us out. It’s not their fault and I know they’re working harder to get out there.
“No player likes being injured and they’re determined to get back. But the boost of a semi-final could give them that lift they need, if they’re feeling down because they’ve been out for a long time, and hopefully we can get that win on Wednesday.”
The mood in the camp heading into the game with Hibernian, who themselves will be understandably deflated after their late League Cup Final defeat to Ross County, is low.
Caley Thistle are without a win in six and have scored just twice in five games. However, despite their recent skid, glances at the three teams below them will not be allowed.
“The boys are still looking up the table. Once you start looking over your shoulder panic can set in. A couple of wins will help – we’ve got four games before the split and hopefully results will go our way,” added Devine. “It’s not about pretty football, it’s about trying to get the three points and move up the table.
“There’s a mix of frustration and anger – the boys are down at the moment. We showed a lot more fight and determination in the second half against Hamilton and we’re just a bit gutted that we didn’t take our chances.”
