John Hughes “flattered” by links to United manager

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.

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

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.”