What is the future for players out of contract at Inverness Caley Thistle?
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The future of players who are out of contract at Inverness Caledonian Thistle remains up in the air as the club is looking for new investment to ensure it can carry on in the future.
After the club were relegated to League One after losing the Championship play-off final to Hamilton Academical last month,manager Duncan Ferguson said afterwards no player out of contract had been offered a new deal at that time.
It is believed only six senior players have a contract which extends beyond the end of this season. Those are believed to include Adam Brooks, Jake Davidson, Charlie Gilmour, Luis Longstaff, Lewis Nicolson and Nikola Ujdur.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have yet to confirm the future of players who are out of contract at the club, with no timeline given for any announcement.
It is believed the contracts of nine senior first team players are set to expire this summer, we take a look at their chances of remaining with the club.
Danny Devine
Missed the Championship play-off final second leg against Hamilton Academical after suffering injury in the first leg. Played 33 times this season for Inverness and has been a regular at centre back.
However, the 31-year-old is believed to have a further year option available to his contract.
Aaron Doran
A horrible situation where injury is likely to bring Aaron Doran’s time at Inverness Caledonian Thistle to an end.
Since arriving on loan from Blackburn Rovers in January 2011 before signing permanently that summer, Doran will go down as one of the club’s most technically gifted players.
However, injury has blighted his career at Inverness. And with the news, Doran is likely to be out for the rest of 2024 after suffering a knee injury against Raith Rovers in April, it is unlikely the club will be willing to offer him a new contract under those circumstances.
Shane Sutherland and Tom Walsh left the club under similar circumstances last season. And while neither of those players had as long association as Doran did, it is likely the club will put his financial resources to other use.
Wallace Duffy
Arguably had his best season at the club since he joined four years ago. Traditionally at full back but called into a more central position when required, played a big part in helping creating the second best defence in the Championship last season.
The problem he had in previous seasons was he was considered second choice to David Carson at right back. But with Carson now at Livingston along with Jake Davidson being sent on loan to Hamilton, he has found first team football more often and enjoyed the challenge.
Cameron Harper
For many fans, he was Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s player of the season during the 2023/24 campaign and it appears he is attracting a lot of interest from clubs.
Reports indicate that Harper is set to join English League Two club Carlisle United.
It has also been reported that he has attracted interest from Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock as well as English League Two outfit Tranmere Rovers.
Traditionally at full back, he found himself playing further forward on the wing than previously, but adapted to it well.
Also a real danger charging into the box and providing an assist when required.
Harry Lodovica
The 24-year-old arrived last summer on a one-year deal with an option for a further year. Has made 12 appearances in the total for the club, but hasn’t played for them in 2024 due to suffering injury to his ankle ligaments.
Roddy MacGregor
Another product of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth academy and a favourite with the fans. But injury has hampered the midfielder for the past two seasons. After only making 12 appearances last season and undergoing an ankle operation in August, he has only made nine appearances in total this season as he looks to get back to full match fitness.
Mark Ridgers
No argument the goalkeeper is a big fan favourite and on his day was the best goalkeeper in the Championship.
The Inverness native returned to his hometown club in July 2017 and has been ever present in the Caley Thistle goalmouth.
Around 280 appearances during his time at the Caledonian Stadium and over 90 clean sheets.
With 33 still young for a goalkeeper, other clubs may have a look at Ridgers and think he could do a job for them if the deal is right. If he decides not to stay.
Nathan Shaw
An unknown left winger when he first came from English National League outfit AFC Fylde in 2022. He really impressed during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign. Despite playing regularly this season, he suffered a hamstring injury in January. Manager Duncan Ferguson attempted to rush his recovery and played him in the 1-1 draw against Dundee United. But he only lasted 29 minutes before he suffered a reoccurrence of his injury, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Austin Samuels
A striker who has failed to break into the first team under manager Duncan Ferguson. Only 12 games in total this season with his last league match the 0-0 draw against Partick Thistle in October. When available, he has been on the substitutes bench.
In addition, nine players who were on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle this season have returned to their clubs.
Max Anderson (Dundee)
Morgan Boyes (Livingston)
James Carragher (Wigan Athletic)
Jeremiah Chilokoa Mullen (Leeds United)
Cammy Kerr (Dundee)
Samson Lawal (Livingston)
Aribim Pepple (Luton Town)
Alex Samuel (Ross County)
Sean McAllister (Everton)
