Duncan Ferguson says he “can’t wait to get started” after being appointed the new manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The former Dundee United, Rangers, Newcastle and Everton striker has signed a three-year contract with the Highlands club.
He takes over a side rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Championship, with the club taking only one point from their opening five matches of the season.
But Ferguson believes it won’t be long before the club is climbing back up the league table.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday morning, Ferguson said: “[I’m] excited, really excited. It’s a great opportunity for myself to get back being a manager.
SNS Group“When I spoke to the board I got a great feeling about it and I jumped at it really. It’s fantastic, it’s great to be back. As you say, it’s been a long time [away from Scotland], I do come back to see my mum and dad of course, but in football terms it’s been a long time.
“It’s a great club, got good ambition, it’s going to be a real good project for us, which they have sold to me, and I can’t wait to get started to be honest.
“It’s been a hectic few days, a lot of travelling up and down the motorway, meetings, but I’ve had a quick look at it [the playing squad]. I know results have not been great at the moment but we’ve got a good squad, that’s why they’re here, they’re good players, it’s just about getting the best out of them now.
“First things first, we need to make sure we get away from the bottom of the league, and then we’ll see where we go. We want to be successful as well this season but the priority for me is to get away from the bottom of the league and get a feelgood factor at the club again and we build from there.”
The Inverness job is Ferguson’s second in management after a brief spell at Forest Green Rovers last season.
Rovers, based in Gloucestershire, only won one of the 18 games the former Scotland forward took charge of and were relegated from Sky Bet League One.
The ex-Everton coach succeeds Billy Dodds, who guided Caley Thistle to the Scottish Cup final last season but lost his job after the club made a poor start to the current campaign.
Ross Morrison, the chairman of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, told STV News: “The potential is here and I think Duncan is going to get that potential and make it work. He will add more fire and passion onto that pitch.
STV News“His experience, his contacts, his knowledge are massive and we will rely on that. We need him to rejuvenate that team and get us off the bottom of the table.
“I think with the calibre of Duncan we’ve gone for a fantastic coach and if anybody’s going to do it, Duncan’s going to do it – big Scottish lad, he’s a legend, he’ll be the boy that can do this.”
Inverness said the appointment came after an “extensive recruitment process which involved some truly excellent candidates”.
A club statement added: “Duncan has worked alongside some of the most respected and outstanding football coaches in the world in recent seasons and we are proud to have him join ICTFC as our new manager.
“His professionalism, commitment and dynamic leadership skills shone through in our discussions, making him the standout candidate.
“Everyone at the club is looking forward to supporting Duncan as the hard work starts now and we hope every Caley Jag will now get right behind him and the team in what we are sure will be a thrilling journey.”
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