Duncan Ferguson outlines Inverness vision as new boss sweeps into the Highlands admitting he jumped at Caley chance

Duncan Ferguson couldn’t contain his excitement as he admitted he jumped at the chance of taking over Inverness Caley Thistle.

The 51-year-old former Dundee United, Rangers, Everton, Newcastle United and Scotland striker penned a three-year deal to take over last season’s Scottish Cup finalists as he succeeded Billy Dodds with the team rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Championship with just one point. Ferguson - one of Scottish football's most colourful characters - worked as a youth coach at Goodison Park and had caretaker spells charge but his only job in senior management was an ill-fated stint at Forest Green Rovers.

But as he prepares to take his side to Arbroath for his dug-out debut on Saturday, he said: “I am really excited. It is a great opportunity for myself to be back being a manager. When I spoke to the board I got a great feeling about it. I jumped at it really. It is fantastic and it is great to be back. It has been a long time. I do come back to see my mum and dad but in footballing terms it has been a long time. It is a great club with good ambitions and it is a really good project that the club have sold to me. I can’t wait to get started.

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“It has a lot of good history and a lot of good cup runs recently. They’ve been in three cup finals in recent years. They lost the cup final against Celtic but have a good tradition. They are a good club and I know about their history. It is a wonderful opportunity to coaching this great club.

“I am not overly familiar (with the squad). It has been a hectic few days and there has been a lot of travelling up and down the country, with meetings. I’ve had a