Caley boss rues loss of ‘fantastic’ Ross

Caley Thistle manager John Hughes fears midfielder Nick Ross could return to haunt Inverness following his move to Dundee, but insists he did everything he could to keep him.

The Inverness manager insisted he rates Ross as an exceptional player but acknowledged the midfielder’s frequent stints on the bench fuelled his desire to leave.

With squad numbers depleted to 14 fit players less than three weeks ahead of a Europa League debut, Hughes could ill afford to lose Ross, who moved to the Dens Park club this week.

Ross, frustrated at just 15 starts last season, agreed a two-year deal to join Paul Hartley’s team and could first face his former team at Dens on August 29.

Hughes said: “We tried everything we could to keep Nick. We put a deal out there hoping he’d stay, but he felt it was time for him to try something else.

“His biggest complaint was wanting a regular game and I couldn’t guarantee that. I couldn’t guarantee that to anyone.

“He found himself in and out of the team too much and felt if Dundee could guarantee him more of a regular start, Dens Park was for him. ”

Ross broke into his hometown club’s first team early in season 2009-10 and became a firm favourite of Hughes’ predecessor Terry Butcher.

Hughes said: “Consistency is probably the only thing Nick needs because he’s a smashing bloke with great fitness levels and, technically, he’s a fantastic footballer. Dundee have got a right good footballer in Nick Ross.

“I just hope he doesn’t come back here and bite us. He’ll be missed, that’s for sure and I do wish him all the best.”

Nick Ross has signed a two-year deal with the Dens Park side.