Rumours broke on this website last week that Malky was set for a return to ICT, gathered pace when the Chester website confirmed on Monday that he had resigned from there, and seemed all but confirmed on Tuesday when the man himself told the BBC that "when the chance came to join up with Brew again I had to take it".

However, on the same day as Malky's comment was printed in the national media, a statement from the club appeared in the Inverness Courier saying that a decision had still to be made and hinting that Aberdeen Coach Sandy Clark was still very much in the running. The club confirmed today (Wednesday) that Malky had indeed returned.

Although this appointment seemed to be another of ICT's "worst kept secrets", the confusion in the media only added to the frustration.....

How can wildly different statements appear in different places at the same time and which one do you believe .... we have reproduced the relevant ones below and you can decide for yourself !

Tuesday's Courier said "Craig has spoken to a couple of people and hopefully over the next 24 to 48 hours we will be in a position to make an announcement. We had discussions on Sunday, mainly because Saturday's game was so important and this was put on the back burner. But that changed after the game and we now hope to have somebody in place towards the middle to end of this week with a view to having him being in the dug-out with Craig on Saturday."

However, on the same day, the BBC were carrying quotes from Malky who seemed to confirm the appointment as a done deal by saying "I've enjoyed my time in England, but when the chance came to join up with Brew again I had to take it. He's a great professional in everything he does and I'm really looking forward to the move."

Today (Wednesday), the club confirmed the appointment by issuing the following press release :

Director of Football Graeme Bennett said "Although there has been speculation, with news leaking out from the Chester end about our interest, it is only today that everything has been signed and sealed. We are grateful to Chester City FC for their assistance in this matter, allowing Malky to return in time to be in the dugout against Hibernian at Inverness on Saturday. Craig did not contact Malky or Chester until after Saturday's game at Dundee United. Chester City FC were kind enough to allow us permission to speak to him and events have rolled on from there. Malky has worked with Craig Brewster here before, he has the Manager's trust and the transition should be smooth."

Malky Thomson said "I am very pleased that the paperwork has been concluded today to take me back to Caley Thistle, where I had such a happy time before. I look forward to working with Craig and the players again. i was very happy at Chester with Bobby Williamson but the opportunity to return to Inverness was too tempting." [source: Official Site]

Thomson will be no stranger to Inverness having served as Assistant to Craig Brewster during his last spell in charge, and the men went on to work together during Brewsters tenure at Dundee Utd. It was only when things didn't work out there that the pair parted company with Brewster moving to play for Aberdeen before coming full circle and back to ICT a little over 18 months later.