Thistle now that their fate is sealed

Bru Cup success courtesy of a win over Dumbarton in March 2018, which was a sign the club was heading in the right direction once again.

The improvement continued into the following campaign, with a third-placed finish securing a playoff place, but Inverness ultimately fell to a semifinal defeat by Dundee United.

That gave Highlanders the fresh impetus ahead of last season, and although they were largely well adrift of runaway leaders United, they maintained a firm grip on second place from December onwards.

Although that is where they ended as a result of the points-per-game formula, following the ending of the season due to coronavirus, they will not have the opportunity to go one better than last year’s play-off bid in a year in which they would undoubtedly have fancied their chances.

That will be a frustration for Robertson but the commitment to an extra two years is a sure sign it has only made him more hungry to succeed in his goal of overseeing Caley Thistle’s return to Scottish football’s elite.

Robertson’s remit has not been made any easier by the loss of players each summer, with the likes of

Iain Vigurs, Joe Chalmers and Liam Polworth leaving voids to be replaced on a limited budget.

His unquestionable success in doing so will give Caley Jags supporters confidence the recent loss of Coll Donaldson, Jamie McCart, Shaun Rooney, Jordan White and Tom Walsh – who were all Robertson’s own recruits – can be offset.

Among the biggest obstacles to Inverness’s path back into the top flight will be the presence of Robertson’s former club Hearts, whose relegation was confirmed following the collapse of league reconstruction plans.

With question marks over Jambos boss Daniel Stendel’s future, Robertson’s new contract is likely to dampen the prospect of speculation linking him with a Tynecastle return from surfacing should the German depart.

Richie Foran