Duncan Ferguson vows to guide Inverness through struggles

Duncan Ferguson vowed to guide Inverness through administration if he is allowed to stay on after time effectively ran out to save the club from insolvency.

The Caley Thistle board launched an online fundraising campaign two weeks ago in a bid to plug immediate financial holes but the income of about £86,000 is just under half of the required total.

Ferguson expects the club to go into administration soon and the 2015 Scottish Cup winners now face a major battle to survive a second consecutive relegation even if their financial situation can be resolved.

Inverness sit second bottom of William Hill League One with nine points from nine matches and look destined to plunge into a negative tally when Scottish Professional Football League rules are applied.

Ferguson has been working for free in recent weeks having already taken two pay cuts and the former Everton and Rangers striker’s loyalty to his players will keep him battling on.

“If we can keep up the form, turn these draws into wins, we can stay in the division,” he said in a media conference.

“Obviously the 15 -point deduction is going to come, administration is going to come.

“I’ve just heard somewhere that the time has come and gone for an offer or something to save the club. That time has gone.

“So it looks like we are going into administration and that will probably happen, I think, next week.

“And I’m going to then try and pick up the pieces – if I’m still here – and we will go from there.”

The 52-year-old, who took charge 12 months ago, added: “I enjoy my job, believe it or not. I enjoy being with the players, and that’s why I’m here.

“I’m fighting for them. I brought a lot of the players to the club. They will be an asset down the line, they’ll make money for the club.

“They wouldn’t be at the club if it wasn’t for me, they came for me, so there’s no way that I’m going to leave them.”

A club statement read: “The board can confirm that the time for any interested parties to offer for the club has come and gone.

“We are currently looking at our position and will make an announcement in the coming days.”

Inverness opened talks with administrators several weeks ago after forecasting they would need to find an additional £1.6million to see them through the season.