John Hughes surprised at lack of progress on new Greg Tansey deal
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JOHN Hughes admits he is surprised that Greg Tansey has not been spoken to about a new contract.
Tansey told the Inverness Courier yesterday that the ball was in Caley Thistle's contract over a proposed extension and Hughes, speaking as he was presented with April's manager of the month award, hoped it would be near completion by now.
One of Hughes' priorities is to get Tansey tied down on a long-term deal, with another year still remaining on the midfielder's contract. A wrangle with Aberdeen over a potential transfer in January threw Tansey's future up in the air, with the Dons believing they had done enough to negotiate with the player after meeting a release clause in his contract.
It comes after chairman Kenny Cameron said Hughes had been backed financially by the board to expand the squad this season. An injury crisis prompted the club heirarchy to loosen the pursestrings for Hughes but next season, the budget will return to its normal level.
After revealing Iain Vigurs was in discussions over a new contract, alongside Danny Devine, Owain Fon Williams and Aaron Doran, Hughes risked the ire of the club's board by intimating he was surprised negotiations with Tansey had not begun.
"I'm talking to players and they're asking what's happening, what have we got coming in," he said. "I'll be honest, I thought Greg Tansey would have been well down the line by now. I'm really surprised we've not spoke to him.
"I said three weeks ago that's my priority, let's get that tied up. Hopefully in the next few days we can get that done.
"The players are getting renewed contracts and wage rises and it's a minefield. You fight your corner but there's an understanding from me that you have to be careful about what you do. I've seen Scottish football clubs that have overspent.
"We had a good season last year with winning the Scottish Cup, getting into Europe, selling Billy Mckay and Ryan Christie. I know what it takes to run a football club - it's not all success and I understand that. But the most important thing for me is the players on the pitch. I lead them out and it's my name on the chopping block."
Inverness sit with just eight players signed for next season and Hughes added that deals for Jordan Roberts and Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo, both with one-year options on their contracts, are parked until the club knows where they will finish in the league.
He added: "We need to finish higher up the league, in the hope we can get that extra money, which I think is about £80,000.
"If not, you're looking about at what's free because the budget dictates what you can get."
