Ferguson expects Caley Thistle axe amid administration

Duncan Ferguson has been working for free as Caley Thistle sought a buyer

Head coach Duncan Ferguson "wouldn't expect to be here next Saturday" with Inverness Caledonian Thistle planning to move into administration within days.

The 52-year-old former Everton striker has been in charge since September and has been working for free with the club having lost £1.2m last season and expecting a deficit this term after relegation to Scottish League 1.

Talks broke down this week with businessman David Anderson about a takeover and a crowdfunder failed to raise the £200,000 sought to avoid administration in October.

"All I know is that it could be Monday or Tuesday," Ferguson told BBC Scotland when asked about administration following Saturday's 1-0 win over Annan Athletic.

"I am sure Inverness will get over this. It might take a bit of time, a wee bit of pain, but I'm sure they'll get there in the end and they might still be there, because I'm sure the administrator will start with the top earners.

"Obviously I am the manager and you imagine he will start with me first. I wouldn't expect to be here next Saturday."

Ferguson admitted "it's been really tough" trying to support his players during such difficult times.

"It could be the players' last game," he said. "A lot of them are young guys and it is a setback in their careers, but I've told them they have a long career ahead of them."

Saturday's win lifted Caley Thistle above Annan into seventh spot - only three points above bottom-placed Dumbarton - but Ferguson believes Caley Thistle can avoid a second successive relegation even if administration brings a 15-point deduction.

"We are good enough," he insisted. "We just don't score enough goals, but if we had converted some of our draws into wins, we would be sitting top of the league just now.

"I'll keep fighting until somebody tells me otherwise. I brought a lot of these players to this club and you can see the players are fighting for me.

"There is a lot of emotion in the dressing room for the players and myself."