Rice is ready to cook with new ICT boss Foran
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BRIAN Rice insists there was never any danger of him following John Hughes out of the door at Caley Thistle.
The Inverness assistant manager had been tipped to leave when Hughes did at the end of last season, but he didn’t want to go and was overjoyed when Richie Foran asked him to be part of his coaching staff.
Following Russell Latapy’s departure before the start of the 2015-16 season, Rice returned from working in Qatar to be Hughes’ right-hand man with the Caley Jags. However, Hughes left the club after a breakdown in his relationship with chairman Kenny Cameron at the end of the campaign – but Rice’s affection for the club has never wavered.
New boss Foran praised Rice as a “workaholic” and was delighted to keep him on board as his assistant manager. It is a sentiment echoed by former Nottingham Forest midfielder Rice.
He told the HN: “I was desperate to stay. I love the place and this unique club, so staying was something I always wanted to do. When Richie made his mind up that he wanted me to stay, I had no second thoughts about it. I was surprised John left. He was unhappy about a few things but these things happen in football and you move on.
“There’s a new regime now and I can’t wait to get started. I’m raring to get going and I’m sure the players are too.”
Since the end of last season, Rice has barely had a moment to rest, with his daughter getting married and working for the SFA on the Uefa A Licence course at St Andrews. Foran was one of his students on the course, along with Caley Thistle players Carl Tremarco, Gary Warren and David Raven.
Players return for pre-season training this week ahead of a hectic July, where they will play a combined 10 games, between pre-season friendlies and the start of the rejuvenated League Cup. Rice is all for the changes made to the competition and feels competitive games early will stand the players in good stead.
Rice said: “Footballers are a different breed these days and come back in good shape. You don’t need to spend much time on fitness and more time on touch and technique.
“The new competition is fantastic because we had to change something. The best thing is you’re playing football in decent conditions and competitive games are a massive positive. We have always called for a winter break too and we need to have it some time. If we don’t like it, we can change it.”
As a self-confessed football fanatic, this summer has been a godsend for Rice, with the European Championships in France commanding a lot of his attention. Caley Thistle fans have found extra incentive to watch the tournament, with goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams involved in the Wales squad that has progressed to the quarter-finals.
Rice added: “It’s absolutely brilliant for Owain to be involved. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and I just wish he had a bigger part to play. But everyone here is wanting Wales to do well and I know a lot of the guys, including myself, have been in touch with Owain.
“Anyone being involved at international level is massive for the club and he deserves it, because he’s an absolute gentleman and a gem to work with.”
Meanwhile, ex-Caley Thistle players Jordan Roberts and Dean Brill have finalised the next stages in their career. Brill signed for Premiership rivals Motherwell on Monday while Roberts has joined English League Two side Crawley Town.
n Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran’s first press conference as manager took place yesterday afternoon, after the Highland News went to press. For his first interview, see the Highland News website.
