Saints’ recruitment needs to be right this summer – Davidson

NEW SEASON PLANS: From page 56

Davidson continued: “People have asked me about winning the two cups and staying in the league.

“For me, this a bigger achievement. I know that might sound strange.

“But mentally, to play under pressure like this every single week after being bottom from January by quite a bit was incredibly tough.”

Davidson is already turning his thoughts to improvements that need to be made next season.

“It’s important we get a good strong squad together,” he said.

“We might lose a few players – Zander (Clark) is a definite one – but we need to replace them with quality. None of us want to go through something like that again.

“We need to make sure we get our recruitment right.

“What I would like to say is none of the players going to be out of contract have downed tools. They’ve worked their socks off and fought for the cause. I can’t thank them enough for that.”

Caley Jags head coach Billy Dodds had mixed emotions after their Premiership hopes ended at the final stage – and he was choked with emotion afterwards.

He said: “I am proud and disappointed at the same time if that’s possible.

“We got where we wanted in the first half. My team were exceptional and created the better chances.

“I thought if we kept that shape and belief we would have got something. We lost the first goal when we were a bit out of position and the second goal, a deflection, kills us.

“They scored another two. We had a great chance in between but it was a step too far - not through fitness but by getting caught.”

And Dodds insists ICT will regroup and come back stronger in next term’s Championship.

He added: “I am so proud of the players who have been great all season.

“We went on a great run when it mattered to get ourselves into the play-offs. We looked like we would be the first team to get through six games and get into the Premiership.

“We just fell short by 45 minutes, but I stress not through (lack of) fitness, but through a switch-off then a deflection. It was harsh.

“We will take positivity from this season and confidence.

“We will build another squad to have a go. Dundee are down and we are one of the bigger teams in the league.

“Hopefully we can go on a run and learn from where we had a mid-season blip – that maybe cost us automatic promotion.”

Defender Kirk Broadfoot, meanwhile, confirmed he will be leaving ICT this summer after a season with the Highlanders, despite being based in Ayrshire.

He said: “My time at Inverness has come to an end, I will be moving on and if I do keep playing, hopefully it’ll be more local.”

Callum Davidson celebrates staying in the Premiership.