Ross Tokely not yet ready to call it quits

These days, though, there is only one survivor of that era still kicking about the corridors.

Ross Tokely is in his 16th season at Caley Thistle and hoping for a 17th. He has heard the talk about him being over the hill, just never to his face.

There aren’t many brave enough to stand in the company of one of Scottish football’s most uncompromising and resilient characters and tell him he is finished.

Only one verdict will matter to him this summer but, whether or not manager Terry Butcher offers a new contract, Tokely will relish the opportunity to prove his detractors wrong, wherever his future lies.

Tokely has scaled all four Scottish divisions and still recalls being told he wasn’t good enough to make the leap to Division Two.

After a significant spell out of favour this season, he has bounced back with recent stirring displays in victory at Pittodrie and narrow defeat at home to St Johnstone.

Last summer, Butcher released Tokely’s longstanding defensive cohort Grant Munro. Tokely had the option of an extra year, raising speculation that he might otherwise have joined Munro and Russell Duncan in departing.

“It was a shock to people when it happened to Grant and Russell last year and it will happen to me one day,” Tokely admitted.

“It has been 16 years now but I certainly think I’m good for a little bit more. We’ll see. I still love coming into training and love being out there on the park. I don’t think anyone should take that privilege for granted – and I never have.”

While Tokely doesn’t feel he has a point to prove at Caley Thistle, the big defender admits he has always enjoyed snarling back at his critics.

“I’ve been told that some people think I’m finished, just things you hear and not to my face,” he said. “I just love that. Keep it coming! I know what I can do and managers past and present know what I can do. I’ve just turned 33. Is age really a big deal in my position? I’m just taking it game by game and we’ll see what happens come the end of the season.”

With some stability finally evident defensively, the challenge is set for Hibs.