Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Caley Jags manager Robbo is building team for the Championship
CALEY Thistle manager John Robertson admits he expects his side to be playing in the Championship next term.
The Inverness side were sitting second in the Championship when the season was declared over earlier this month due to the coronavirus crisis.
A reconstruction group, chaired by Hearts owner Ann Budge and vice-chair Les Gray of Hamilton, was set up following the SPFL resolution being passed to end the season in the three lower tiers.
A 14-team top flight is under consideration which would see bottom of the Scottish Premiership Hearts avoid demotion with Championship winners Dundee United and runners-up Caley Thistle promoted.
But Robertson does not expect the plans to receive enough support and is trying to build a squad for the Championship next season.
He said: “It is difficult as nobody knows when football is going to start. Football has hit the pause button. Unless you have money to burn you are going to have to wait (to sign players). It is a very strange time.
“I have been contacting the guys I have in England, Ireland and abroad to find out who is out of contract and might be available.
“I am 90% positive we will be playing Championship football next year. That is what you have got to build for.
“The players I want to sign are players I feel can compete in the top half of the Championship but, if required, they would be able to play in the Premiership.”
He added: “Right now, football is irrelevant.
“You will hear it everywhere but it is the truth. People are dying out there.
“Finishing second and not going up or finishing second and going up through reconstruction is neither here nor there.