INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE

MANAGER:

Choosing Richie Foran to succeed John Hughes was a huge gamble. The Irishman, who has played for the Highland team for seven years, is highly respected within the club and is liked by the players and popular with supporters, but this is his first managerial appointment. Keeping his team in the Premiership would be an achievement for him.

Inverness have punched well above their weight in the top flight in recent seasons. Will they be able to continue that with a rookie at the helm? Foran has managed to hold on to many of his key players and made some good signings in Kevin McNaughton and Billy King. It will be fascinating seeing how this often fiery individual fares.

FORM GUIDE:

It was inevitable that Inverness would struggle to replicate their success of the previous season last term given the players who had departed. They had won the Scottish Cup, the first major trophy in their history, and finished third in the Premiership. But Nick Ross, Graeme Shinnie, Marley Watkins and Ed Ofere all departed. Ryan Christie was also recalled from his loan spell by Celtic half-way through the campaign.

Foran’s reign has started encouragingly enough with wins over Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline and a draw with Dundee United away in the revamped League Cup. Victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill on the opening weekend of the Premiership would be a decent start. WHO’S IN: Jake Mulraney (Queens Park Rangers), Kevin McNaughton (Wigan Athletic), Scott Boden (Newport County), Billy King (Hearts, loan).

WHO’S OUT:

Danny Devine (Partick Thistle), Danny Williams (Dundee), James Vincent (Dundee), Dean Brill (Motherwell), Nat Wedderburn (Dunfermline Athletic), Jordan Roberts (Crawley Town), Calum Ferguson (Albion Rovers), Liam Hughes (Barrow).

STAR PLAYER:

This is a team without superstars. Their success is based on a willingness to work hard. The close bond within the squad makes them a tight-knit unit on and off the field. Greg Tansey, left, is a hugely important figure in the centre of the park. Aberdeen were bitterly disappointed to miss out on signing him.

ONE TO WATCH:

Miles Storey moving to Aberdeen was a blow. The English striker did well during a loan spell from Swindon Town and scored 11 goals. Someone will have to step up and provide the same level of return. Scott Boden netted 15 times for Newport County last season and much is expected of the 26-year-old.