John Hughes “flattered” by links to United manager

John Hughes says he has a bond of trust with his chairman. Picture: SNS Group

John Hughes last night urged Inverness Caley Thistle to hand him a new contract which would rule him out of the running for the vacant Dundee United job.

The Highland club’s manager admits he is “flattered” by reported interest in making him Jackie McNamara’s successor.

Hughes said: “My contract is up at the end of the year, so eventually we’re going to have to sit down and talk. I owe it to the people of Inverness. It’s on the agenda and it is just a matter of getting around to do it. I’m no different from any player – we all want to know where our future lies.”

Hughes, though, stressed he wasn’t banging on chairman Kenny Cameron’s door regarding a new deal. He said: “There’s no rush. Sometimes a bond is made on a handshake and a look, and I’m that kind of guy.

“I’ll always be grateful and thankful for the opportunity they gave me up here at Inverness. We are a good fit.”

Hughes, who won the Scottish Cup with Inverness, did express admiration for United as a club.

He said: “It’s flattering to be linked to that and any other job, but my focus is fully on Inverness. I remember it [United] from Jim McLean’s days and the success they had. But the only reason I’m getting linked with it is because of the success here.”