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First team coach Barry Wilson says defensive additions – and strikers – are needed at Inverness Caley Thistle but hails departed veteran Kirk Broadfoot for leaving a positive legacy in the Highland cinch Championship club's dressing room


By Alasdair Fraser

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ICT’s Kirk Broadfoot celebrates the semi-final win against Arbroath after betting the decisive penalty.
ICT’s Kirk Broadfoot celebrates the semi-final win against Arbroath after betting the decisive penalty.

Barry Wilson knows there is currently a Kirk Broadfoot-shaped hole in the heart of the dressing room as Caley Thistle regroup for another crack at promotion to the Premiership.

The club first team coach, though, insists the super-veteran could well have left a lasting mark on last season’s play-off runners-up.

Few players to have passed through the Caledonian Stadium corridors could surpass the former Scotland and Rangers defender for a sheer commitment and dedication Wilson hopes will have proved instructive and inspirational to younger colleagues still at the club.

Far from giving off the air of big-shot performer winding down his career with illustrious achievements behind him, Broadfoot brought an unparalleled drive, commitment and wholehearted attitude to everything he did in his single season with ICT.

“Has Kirk left a wee mark on his team-mates? I hope so,” first team coach Wilson said. “I hope the players have taken on board a lot of what he was about.

“His attitude was different class. He was a total old-school winner who hated losing and hated losing goals.

“I remember at the start of the season, we were happy with a 3-1 win and Kirk wasn’t happy because we lost a goal.

“He was in the gym all the time and always last to leave at training, a great example to any professional football player. He’ll be missed, but I’m sure we will find somebody to fill his boots in defence.”

Wilson admits defence will be a priority area for manager Billy Dodds while pursuing new additions.

ICT coach Barry Wilson.
ICT coach Barry Wilson.

And while Caley Thistle have added intriguing attacking options in ex-Celtic and Hamilton striker Steven Boyd and Nathan Shaw, the young ex-Blackpool left winger latterly with English National League North side AFC Fylde.

“Looking at our squad, we’re probably a striker light at the moment, with Shane Sutherland injured longer-term,” Wilson said.

“We have Austin Samuels and Billy Mckay up front, while Steven Boyd can play wide or through the middle as well, but we’re working to secure at least another striker. Both are already in among the pre-season work.

“For midfield and the wide areas, we’re not too bad, but we probably need another defender or two, and one or two strikers.

“We’ve only lost Kirk Broadfoot and Reece McAlear among the permanent signings, plus loanees Joe Hardy and Logan Chalmers. We’ll be full steam ahead once we add a few players to the squad.”


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