Ferguson and Savage on battles to keep Caley Thistle going

Duncan Ferguson was appointed Inverness Caledonian Thistle's manager a year ago

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Duncan Ferguson and investor Alan Savage have given fresh insights into turmoil at the club following relegation last season.

The drop from the Scottish Championship to League 1 exposed significant financial problems.

Savage said putting the club into administration would have eased the pressure, but it risked a points deduction as punishment and the potential of being relegated to the Highland League.

Ferguson, who was appointed manager a year ago, said he had second thoughts over the summer about returning to the club, but added: "I'm a fighter so I came back."

The comments are made in a new documentary by BBC Scotland's A View from the Terrace.

Former Scotland, Rangers and Everton player Ferguson arrived at Inverness Caley Thistle (ICT) last September.

The 2015 Scottish Cup winners and a former Premier League club were facing the threat of relegation from the Championship when he joined.

Ferguson said: "I knew I was getting myself in a real difficult position when I became manager.

"Unfortunately we went into a play-off and we got relegated. It was devastating."

Alan Savage was asked by ICT to help look at its finances

Ferguson revealed the situation left him with doubts over his future at ICT.

He said: "As the summer went on I was having second thoughts because a lot of people advised me not to come back.

"I was hearing things behind the scenes that the club was going into administration.

"That was a worry."

Savage, a former ICT chairman, was brought in to look at the finances. He also invested in the club.

He said losses since 2019 had amounted to between £5.5m and £6m, and dropping down to the Highland League had been a potential worst case scenario.

But he added: "I think the club will always exist."

Ferguson said he understood fans' frustration

Savage said there was potential for the club to win promotion and bring money in by develop young players.

He said: "If we could have a reasonable football team we could play in the Championship and then through the youth academy you might find another Ryan Christie - or a Messi - somebody that tips the thing upside down."

Ferguson said he understood fans' frustration, but urged them to get behind the team.

He said: "It's really important that the club is successful and part of the community."