Duncan Ferguson apologises to Arbroath after Inverness boss accuses them of 'downing tools' following relegation

Duncan Ferguson has offered an apology to Arbroath after accusing them of "downing tools" and not trying" following their relegation back to League One.

The Red Lichties six five year stay in the Scottish Championship came to an end with a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Ayr United last week. Ahead of their game with Raith Rovers on Friday night, Ferguson's Inverness team are in the midst of a battle to avoid finishing in the relegation play-off zone, with just two points separating them from ninth placed Queens Park.

The former Everton and Rangers striker caused a storm by claiming that relegation rivals Queens Park and Greenock Morton - who both still have to play Arbroath would have no points in picking up wins against Jim McIntyre's relegated side. Ferguson's comments outraged chiefs at Gayfield, who demanded a retraction from the Caley Thistle boss. And ahead of tonight's home clash with promotion chasing Raith, the 52-year-old did move to go back on his previous comments.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said: “Maybe I didn’t use the correct words. I didn’t want to show any disrespect to Arbroath or their players.

“I’m sure they are trying extremely hard. Just at that moment, when you saw the result (5-0 defeat against Ayr), you thought the motivation wasn’t quite there.

“But I’m sure they are motivated and will do their club and their manager proud until the end of the season. So, I must apologise for the words I used, certainly.”