The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Caley Jags need net gains
● Tokely says Inverness must replace White to return to top tier
Ross Tokely feels Caley Thistle must replace Jordan White’s goals if they are to enjoy Championship success this season.
Forward White left Caledonian Stadium this summer, with the 28-year-old securing a move to Premiership side Motherwell.
White’s loss is a blow to the Highlanders, with the striker having finished as Caley Jags leading scorer in each of the last two seasons, with a total of 26 goals in 89 games. Bulgarian forward Nikolay Todorov will stake his claim to lead the line, along with Shane Sutherland who has returned for a second spell with Inverness after leaving Elgin City.
Former Inverness defender Tokely reckons others will need to replace White’s firepower in order for Caley Thistle to sustain a promotion challenge.
Tokely said: “With Jordan leaving, they need to try and replace him with a better striker who will score even more goals.
“If you are going to get out of that league, when you’ve got Hearts in there, you need somebody that’s going to bang in 15 to 20 goals.
“In a tight division like that you need a goalscorer, so that will be top of John Robertson’s list.
“He’s always got a good eye for a player and I’m sure he’s got his targets.”
White is among several players to have departed Caledonian Stadium for top-flight clubs in recent months, with Jamie McCart and Shaun Rooney joining St Johnstone and Coll Donaldson making the switch to Ross County. Tokely believes John Robertson has long since established Inverness as a club where players can develop their careers.
Tokely added: “It’s a hard job at Inverness because you are always losing good players every year. This year it’s maybe a bit more.
“That is a compliment to John. He has done great to revive some of their careers.
“If there’s a message to players that he’s after, it’s that Inverness is the place to go and enjoy your football, do well and possibly get a move from there.
“Jordan White, Shaun Rooney and Jamie McCart have seen the allure of the top flight and left to go to the Premiership.
“For players that are looking for a second chance, Inverness is probably the best place they can go.
“It’s a good selling point for the manager and I’m sure he will pick out three or four with a bit hunger.
“That’s what you need when players come up the road.
“You need a bit of hunger for them to do well, but also to possibly move on.”