THE CALEY JAGS are looking to the future with the signing of eight young stars on professional contracts.
One of the eight is 16 year old Ryan Christie, son of former Caley Thistle favourite Charlie Christie, now a youth coach at the club. He is one of five recruits from Inverness , the others being Andrew Skinner (16), Ryan Watson, Stephen Mackenzie and Matthew Murphy (all 17).
Harry Stewart (17), from Aberdeen, was formerly on the books at Dundee United while 16-year-old Kevin Buchan from Dundee had a spell at Dens Park. Marc Noble (17), from Fraserburgh, is a product of Fraserbugh FC's youth system.
Caley Jags boss Terry Butcher said: "These eight youngsters join our full-time playing staff and will play for our under-19 team next season but hopefully two or three can make such rapid progress that they make their breakthrough in to the first team in the future.
"It's good for the long-term future of this club to have locally-developed talent coming through.
"They'll have to work very hard, but they have already done so with us in getting to the stage of being awarded contracts.
"The examples of the lads who have made their way to the first team squad should inspire them."