Speculation is mounting that former Scotland and Celtic captain and ex-Aberdeen player-coach Scott Brown could be a candidate to become struggling Caley Thistle’s new manager.
Stemming from a BBC Scotland report ahead of ICT losing 1-0 against Dundee United in the Championship, the 38-year-old ex-Aberdeen assistant player-boss is the latest name in the running to replace Billy Dodds, who was sacked last week after the 1-0 loss at Raith Rovers.
Brown would be a stellar appointment and – should it happen – it would see him return to management less than a month after being axed from English League One side Fleetwood Town.
Celtic B coach Darren O’Dea is believed to be the front-runner for the job, with Morton’s Dougie Imrie, a former Caley Jags midfielder, another one of the favourites.
Another ex-ICT player, Liam Fox, who bossed Dundee United, is another name mentioned along with ICT under-18 and goalkeeping coach Ryan Esson.
Robertson expects boss news soon
Interim co-boss John Robertson, who is not a contender to take over for a third time, confirmed after the United match that interviews have begun, but he’s not involved in the recruitment process.
He and fellow ex-Inverness manager Charlie Christie took the team as they were edged out by a stoppage-time Chris Mochrie goal.
When asked whether he expected to be in the dugout for Saturday’s Championship game at Arbroath, Robertson said: “Charlie and I will just continue to do as we did this week. That is to take the team until we’re told differently.
“I would be fairly confident that there will be someone in the dugout next weekend, but you don’t know. I haven’t been involved in the discussions and I don’t know the shortlist.
“I believe interviews have started. We just have to keep the boys ticking over. We will get them in on Monday and get working again towards the weekend.”
Board meeting before United clash
Chairman Ross Morrison, chief executive Scott Gardiner and former player, and ex-vice chairman and director of football Graeme Bennett are homing in on their preferred candidates over the weekend with an appointment expected within the first half of the week.
A board meeting took place at the Caledonian Stadium before the Dundee United match and BBC reporter Iain Auld told listeners: “You mention about names, I’ve head a few in the build-up to this one.
“I’m led to believe there was a board meeting which took place before kick-off and the board of directors are keen to make a quick appointment.
“Darren O’Dea is still the one that I think is top of the list here at Caley Thistle but interestingly Scott Brown has been in Inverness this week.
“I don’t know if he has been up visiting or if he has been in contention.”
Glittering success as a Celtic player
Brown’s move to Fleetwood in the summer of 2o22 followed his exit from Aberdeen in March last year where he had been a key player and coach under former manager Stephen Glass.
His coaching opportunities were said to be limited when Jim Goodwin took over at Aberdeen and he soon moved on to “focus on his coaching development”.
In his first season at the helm at Fleetwood, they finished 13th in the division, but a winless six-game start to this term cost him his job.
Brown won 10 Premiership titles with Celtic as well as six Scottish Cups and six League Cups during 14 years at Parkhead.
