TERRY BUTCHER is expected to hold talks with Hibernian today about becoming their new manager.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle reluctantly granted the Easter Road club permission yesterday to speak to Butcher after the Englishman indicated a desire to meet with Hibs officials to discuss the vacancy created by Pat Fenlon's resignation last Friday.
Butcher has been Inverness manager since 2009 and turned down an approach from Barnsley in January. Kenny Cameron, the Highland club's chairman, hoped they could yet hold on to their manager.
"Terry has been informed of the situation and has expressed an interest in meeting with Hibs officials," said Cameron. "The club has, with great reluctance, granted him permission to do so. We will, however, continue to do everything possible to ensure that Terry remains our manager."
Hibernian said in a statement: "Hibernian FC is grateful to Inverness CT FC for granting permission to speak to Terry Butcher. Both clubs have an important league match on Saturday. Chairman Rod Petrie met Jimmy Nicholl at the Hibernian Training Centre this morning and confirmed that Jimmy and the backroom staff should prepare the team this week and take the match on Saturday."
Inverness Caledonian Thistle are third in the SPFL Premiership, four places above Hibernian, and have reached the League Cup semi-finals for a second successive season.
Cameron admitted that attention in Butcher, whose contract expires in the summer, was inevitable. "Given our current position in the SPFL [Premiership] and the fact that once again we have a cup semi-final to look forward to, it is inevitable that if any managerial positions arise, our manager will be on the wanted list," he added.
"We have a game on Saturday and it's important that our club's focus is on taking three points to maintain our challenge at the top of the league. As with the Barnsley approach in January, we will be making no further comment until we're fully aware of the outcome of discussions."
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