INVERNESS CT
LAST SEASON: 4th, 54 points
NOTABLE INS: Torbjorn Agdestein (Brighton & Hove Albion), Curtis Allen (Coleraine), Adam Evans (Burnley), Joe Gorman (Crewe Alexandra), Ben Greenhalgh (Concord Rangers), Carl Tremarco (Macclesfield Town), James Vincent (Kidderminster Harriers), Marley Watkins (Hereford United), Danny Williams (Kendal Town), Dean Brill (Luton Town, loan)
NOTABLE OUTS: Owain Tudur Jones (Hibernian), Gavin Morrison (Brora Rangers), Antonio Reguero (Kilmarnock), Andrew Shinnie (Birmingham City), Shane Sutherland (Elgin City), Jordan Gibbons (Queens Park Rangers, end of loan), Philip Roberts (Arsenal, end of loan), Charlie Taylor (Leeds United, end of loan), Simon King (retired), Chris Hogg
LAST SEASON'S BEST XI (departed players crossed out):
THE SQUAD (u-21 players in italics)
Goalkeepers: Dean Brill, Ryan Esson
Defenders: Matthew Cooper, Danny Devine, Joe Gorman, Josh Meekings, David Raven, Graeme Shinnie, Carl Tremarco, Gary Warren
Midfielders: Aaron Doran, Ross Draper, Adam Evans, Ben Greenhalgh, Conor Pepper, Liam Polworth, Nick Ross, James Vincent, Marley Watkins, Danny Williams
Forwards: Torbjorn Agdestein, Curtis Allen, Richie Foran, Billy McKay
IF HE GETS INJURED, THEY'RE SCREWED: With Andrew Shinnie gone, ICT will be even more heavily dependent on BILLY MCKAY for goals. The Northern Irishman was lethal for much of last season and the Highlanders need more of the same. Thankfully, he's been scoring goals for fun in pre-season.
STAR OF THE FUTURE? He's played 60 games for the club, but central defender JOSH MEEKINGS is still only 20. If he continues last year's form, Inverness will struggle to hold onto him when his contract expires next summer.
THE SEASON AHEAD: Inverness have actually held on to most of last season's success stories - including the entire back four. Of those who left, Antonio Reguero and Owain Tudur Jones are replaceable. Andrew Shinnie may not be. The former Rangers man was the team's creative force and it's not clear who will fill his role. However, there have been plenty of arrivals, mainly from England's lower leagues, and if a few turn out to be rough diamonds then ICT could be very dangerous. Certainly, expectations of a second successive top six finish are quite reasonable.
THE BEST XI?
If fit, Esson will be undisputed first choice keeper again, and the back four will be the same as last year, with Devine offering solid backup. Pre-season lineups suggest that a more orthodox central midfielder - probably Vincent - will play an advanced role to compensate for the exit of Andrew Shinnie; he would provide more energy and physicality but considerably less flair, so Doran and Ross will have to compensate for that. Alternatively youngster Polworth may get a chance to display his range of passing. Given that the bench will include pacey wide players such as Williams, Watkins and Greenhalgh, ICT will be very dangerous on the break if they are leading in the second half of matches. Given the diminutive size of the front trio, the trick, as ever, will be to prevent them receiving the ball on the deck. If a bigger striker is needed, Foran can be pushed forward, or there may be a role for Allen or Agdestein.
THE BOSS: A year ago, I wondered if Terry Butcher had taken the club as far as he possibly could. not for the first time, I was completely wrong. Butcher is now pretty much untouchable at Inverness after the results and performances of last season. His status and charisma remain a major draw in bringing players to the club from south of the border.
CLICHE YOU'RE MOST LIKELY TO HEAR: "A difficult place to go"
PREDICTION: It would be a shock if Caley Thistle end up at the wrong end of the table. Out of caution, I have them coming SIXTH, but it's quite conceivable that they could do better than that.
L.
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