Three potential buyers interested in Inverness Caley Thistle

Three potential buyers interested in Inverness Caley Thistle

Administrators at Inverness Caledonian Thistle (ICT) say there have been three expressions of interest so far to take over the running of the club.

BDO also said four players have been made redundant, but non-playing staff remain in place.

Striker Billy Mckay and first team coach Scott Kellacher have taken over the running of the team following the sacking of Duncan Ferguson.

Caley Thistle was placed into administration earlier this week in an attempt to get a grip on its financial difficulties, and save the 30-year-old club.

Businessman and former chairman Alan Savage has committed to ensuring ICT has enough funds to continue for the rest of its season.

Calling in administrators has incurred a 15 point deduction, leaving it on minus three points at the bottom of League 1.

Mr Savage said efforts were being made to raise revenue, and he called on public agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council to get involved.

He said the club was looking at getting a restaurant chain to take over the Highlander Suite at ICT’s stadium.

Mr Savage said he also hoped local businesses would also come forward with investment.

Administrator James Stephen, who was involved with Rangers and Hearts when they went into administration, said the process had given Inverness some breathing space.

He said: “There is a reasonable period of stability – months rather than weeks.

“Alan has said he would not let the club run out of cash.”

Mr Stephen appealed to fans to get back behind the club.

The names of potential buyers have not been disclosed.

Talks were held last week with businessman David Anderson about a possible takeover but they ended without agreement.

Then on Tuesday, the Court of Session confirmed that the club had appointed administrators.

Losses ran to £1.2m last season and the club has forecast a similar loss this year, but that figure does not include money spent on restructuring following relegation from the Championship last season.

decioalmeida