Lomas: 'This is like winning the league for St Johnstone'

Lomas was justifiably keen to promote his players' efforts, which he believes have been overlooked as the exploits of Inverness and Ross County have made headlines. "I thought it was a day of excellence," Lomas said. "I thought we carried out our game plan to perfection and it could have been a lot more. The lads were fully focused and I thought sometimes this season the quality of our play has been over-looked. I think this has been slightly under-played."

He added: "For us this is as good as it gets so we will enjoy it."

Lomas, too, praised the efforts of Terry Butcher and Derek Adams, appreciating the irony of the latter doing his side a favour by beating their Highland rivals after the spat over the future of Richard Brittain, the County midfielder who is trying to cancel a pre-contract agreement with the Perth club. "We have both had our say but it is gone now," said Lomas. "I tip my hat to him because he has had a great season."

Lomas is now looking forward to Europe with some caution. "You have to remember it is £30m budgets v £1m budgets," he warned. "It would be great if we could get past a couple of rounds."

The mood in the Inverness camp was less buoyant but Butcher refused to be dejected about missing out on the Europa League place, insisting instead that finishing fourth was still his "best ever" season. Defeat in Dingwall was a first in six derbies this term but a third in their five post-split matches. "I'm disappointed that we've lost the game," said Butcher. "But it's not about today. We've had a brilliant season to finish fourth. It's been the best ever for me. Best ever.

"Take nothing away from Ross County because they've been brilliant as well. A point separates the teams. We wanted to finish above them and we've done that, which is absolutely wonderful. I've told the players that they've been absolutely brilliant and it's not about one day, it's about the whole season.

"My chairman will be pleased, because there is a lot of expense going into Europe. I would ask for a bigger squad, for starters, so he's probably pleased about that. How do we top this next year? We get into Europe. That's the only way to top it and I'm sure County will say the same."

Andrew Shinnie and Antonio Reguero played their last games for Inverness while Owain Tudur-Jones and Aaron Doran have yet to sign new contracts. "One or two will be leaving," said Butcher. "I thank them all very much."

Ross County's win meant they finished only one point behind their rivals, in fifth. "We wanted to win the Highland derby and we're delighted that we've been able to do that," said Adams. "Obviously Inverness are going to be disappointed because we've burst their beach ball, so to speak . . .

"It's been a fabulous season for us. I read a few comments from the Inverness players before the game and I had to laugh at them. Sometimes you don't say anything until the end. The comments weren't the best. We will have a big rebuilding job. We have that every season. Players will come, players will go, we'll try to strengthen for next season."

Motherwell, too, will be in a similar position. In the wake of the defeat in Perth, Stuart McCall confirmed that a deal has been done to keep defender Simon Ramsden for the next two seasons and revealed that a new face could be confirmed today. "We are hopeful of tying up a deal for a new player coming in," he said. "I am trying to organise pre-season as well, so of course I have got to be planning for next season."

Speculation persists, however, that the manager himself will not be in Lanarkshire next term, with reports yesterday linking him with the vacant managerial jobs at both Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield United. "It's all speculation," McCall said. "Until someone comes in and speaks to me or asks to speak to me then that's all it is. I am certainly planning for next season."