2025/26 Squad

[STFU]

From the Inverness Courier, it looks like we can offer existing players contract extensions even though we're still in administration.

According to the P&J, Danny Devine is the first to say publicly that he intends to stay.

[Robert]

Just now, STFU said:

From the Inverness Courier, it looks like we can offer existing players contract extensions even though we're still in administration.

According to the P&J, Danny Devine is the first to say publicly that he intends to stay.

It was loud in Bar 94 after Saturday’s game when Danny was addressing fans, but I did think I heard him say he’d be staying. 

[KennySim93]

On top of Devine and Mackinnon, I'd love it if we could keep the majority of this squad together but I'm not sure how likely that is.  Dibaga, Longstaff, Savage and Gilmour would be top of my list.  I'm assuming Billy will still be around as well.  Would love it if we could get both Alfie's back on loan next season too.  Probably wishful thinking though.

[CaleyTennis85]

What seems clear from Kelly's interview published in both The Courier and Press and Journal is that we could certainly utilise the loan market again during the transfer window because he's certainly praising the coaches and ex players that helped us get the important loans this season.

 

[+CaleyD]

I think we'll do well to retain half the squad, so there will be a bit if rebuilding to do.

Kell is connected enough, and respected enough as a coach throughout the game, to attract both signings and loans, so I don't have any fears on that front.

I do wonder if there are any past players, that still have a season or two left in them at this level, who might fancy a wee return?

Edited May 4 by CaleyD

[CaleyTennis85]

Any idea as to what squad size we'll have next season or will that come clear once May 22 has passed and, hopefully, the CBA has been agreed-would a squad of about 20 be a competent rough estimate ?

[+Northern_jaggie]

What about Andrew Shinnie? 36 years old this July and out of contract at Livi soon. He only got 12 mins in tonight’s qualifier. Would be a good fit amongst the young team

[+TheCaleyOne]

 

[Yngwie]

Mainly good news, with 11 extensions agreed.
 

Disappointing but not surprising that 4 of our best players (Musa, Savage, Allen, Gilmour) have not accepted their offers, not yet anyway, but you have to imagine that they haven’t accepted because they are looking elsewhere or have other offers already. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we can hold on to any of them.

[mazza20]

1 hour ago, Yngwie said:

Mainly good news, with 11 extensions agreed.
 

Disappointing but not surprising that 4 of our best players (Musa, Savage, Allen, Gilmour) have not accepted their offers, not yet anyway, but you have to imagine that they haven’t accepted because they are looking elsewhere or have other offers already. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we can hold on to any of them.

The way Musas agent spoke, it sounded like he'd prefer to stay and get games at us then take a big offer and be a backup so fingers crossed. I hope for the other 3 it's more a case of waiting to see what investment goes into the squad once the dust settles but more likely they're waiting to see if anyone else offers better terms

[KennySim93]

Pleasantly surprised to see Longstaff agree a contract until 2027!

[IBM]

I do hope the other four will follow on and stay. 

[ictchris]

Probably worth keeping an eye on players that are represented by AJ100, through whom we obtained Musa and who all the trialists in March were with.

[Kind of Blue]

From the darkness and despair of the last October it is brilliant to be looking forward to having a team on the field for next season

[Scotty]

Would love for them to stay if a contract can be agreed but will wish them well if they decide their future lies elsewhere. All four contributed well to our survival, were important parts of our team in a season full of turmoil, and that's all we can ask for. Fingers crossed for next season. As KoB says, happy we are in a position to say we can field a team next year -   got a full team plus 4 subs signed up

[hislopsoffsideagain]

I actually found this a stark reminder of where we're starting from for next season.

 

Of the guys who have signed so far, I'd only have Devine, MacKinnon and Longstaff down as League One starting XI quality (maybe I'm being harsh on Strachan?). Everyone else aside from Mckay, who is of course also assistant manager, is still very much developing.

 

Think we may have to really push the boat out if we want to keep any of the Big Four there. All have done enough to attract offers at a higher level than this.

 

We will have a lot of work to do in the summer, which is why we need to nail down that CVA pronto and make sure we don't fall behind in the free agent market. And we need to be as good at using the loan market as last year too!

[CaleyTennis85]

Pleasantly surprised but certainly ecstatic that we have had a good few players signing new deals with the club as that really helps Kel, Charlie Christie etc get on with the task of looking at players they may be keen on signing in the summer

I echo what has been said above regarding the 4 that we are still awaiting news on regarding whether they will sign new deals or not; I would be very happy if all 4 signed new deals but also concede that is highly unlikely unfortunately.

I know I'm always an optimist () so it's fair to say that I'm fairly optimistic we can mount a serious title/promotion push next season if we can get our recruitment right (I personally, would like to see us sign younger players and maybe a few from the loan market) because we certainly have a capable management team that get the best out of our players .

Edited May 15 by CaleyTennis85

[+Moogthurso]

Wheres Lewis Nicolson i always rated him pre injury.

As for rest of squad I would say Robbie T , Calum Macloed and Mackinnon are all good at this level. 

Robbie had three brilliant games at xmas playing with the others before his red card. 

Musa is the real deal and we really need him. 

 

 

[+CaleyHedgehog]

1 hour ago, Moogthurso said:

Wheres Lewis Nicolson i always rated him pre injury.

I agree. Lewis was just coming into his best years when injury struck. A dedicated, intelligent player. Hope he is fit very soon and still wearing an ICT shirt.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

Jake Davidson?

[hislopsoffsideagain]

According to the P&J today, Davidson, Nicolson and Corner, who all have long-term injuries, have been offered deals to January 2026

 

So the current squad status is as follows (contract expiry in brackets; players who haven't played for the first team not included):

GOALKEEPERS

Szymon Rebilas (summer 2026)

DEFENDERS

Daniel Devine (summer 2027)

Sam Nixon (summer 2026)

Matthew Strachan (summer 2026)

Jack Walker (summer 2026)

MIDFIELDERS

Ben Gardiner (summer 2026)

Shae Keogh (summer 2026)

Luis Longstaff (summer 2027)

Adam MacKinnon (summer 2026)

Calum MacLeod (summer 2027)

Robbie Thompson (summer 2026)

FORWARDS

Billy Mckay (summer 2026)

 

OFFERED CONTRACTS: Musa Dibaga, Jake Davidson, Lewis Nicolson, Remi Savage, Paul Allan, Charlie Gilmour, Ben Corner

LEFT CLUB: Ethan Cairns (released)

LOANS ENDED: Alfie Bavidge, Ben Brannan, Keith Bray, Connall Ewan, Marcus Gill, James Nolan, Alfie Stewart

[PullMyFinger]

I'd like to see some localish part-timers signed from the Highland league. A chance to get full-time would be a great incentive.

[Yngwie]

Not sure how I feel about Billy getting another year. For about 40 games this season he looked pretty much finished - some good hold up play and passes but he wasn’t sharp and offered no goalscoring threat. Then when his contract is about to expire he puts in 3 great performances with goals!

I guess it was only out of necessity that he was starting every week, and hopefully we will be able to sign a goalscoring striker or two this summer so that Billy is an option rather than the only option.

[big cherly]

23 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

Not sure how I feel about Billy getting another year. For about 40 games this season he looked pretty much finished!

Yeah, his real playing days are over. I expect he is signed-on as a player as a fall back or last ditch for games where emergency calls. 
His experience will be valuable in some games when called on. More a holding position I expect than relying on him as the team’s main goal threat. 

He will be of use I’m sure as the season rolls on. 
bc

Edited May 16 by big cherly

[tm4tj]

James Clark is one of the three graduates given their first contract. No info at moment

Sam Thompson is another 

Sam Reid given another year

All three contracted to end of 25/26.