New Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran has the experience to succeed - Ross Draper
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ROSS Draper insists new Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran has all the experience he needs to make his ascension to the hotseat a success.
Club captain Foran was named Inverness' new boss on a four-year contract on Monday afternoon and Draper the fact he knows the club inside out will stand him in good stead.
Foran had been widely expected to get the job following the dismissal of John Hughes 10 days ago and has already promised to deliver attacking football to the club's supporters.
Draper emerged as a dominant force during the last campaign under Hughes and was deservedly named the club's player of the season. He is sure to be a vital component of Foran's side and he hailed the 35-year-old's ushering into the manager's chair as a “brilliant appointment”.
“He knows the club and the players inside out – he's run the club for years,” said Draper. “It doesn't surprise me he's been chosen and he's going to do a really good job.
“I don't think much will change. We need to get in a few players and strengthen some areas but there's plenty of time to do that.
“I know he's been doing his licenses with a couple of the other boys and there's no question he's got the backing of the players.”
Foran will retire from playing to focus solely on his maiden voyage into management. He will face the challenge of restoring Caley Thistle to the top six, after the Highland capital club missed out on a top-half finish for the first time in four seasons.
If there is ever a time to change manager then at the end of the season seems the perfect time to do it, given it hands the new man more time to prepare his side. The only downside, according to Draper, is that a number of key players have already left the club.
“There's some contracts up in the air and hopefully the new manager will be able to get them sorted out,” said former Macclesfield midfielder Draper. “There's a long time before the start of the season though so there's no rush.
“When you're around the club you hear bits and bobs, little rumours, but given that we've been away for the last couple of weeks, I hadn't heard anything. It wasn't like when the previous manager came in during the middle of the season.
“We're due back on June 30 and I honestly can't wait to get going. When someone comes from within the club and has the respect of the dressing room, he has everyone's backing.”
