THE problem with success is that it attracts the wrong kind of attention.
Take Terry Butcher, for example. The Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager should have spent this week slurping his festive sherry and celebrating his 54th birthday without a care, his team having exceeded all expectations this term.
Instead, though, the Englishman found himself engaged in contract talks with those who have created such a situation, players who were perhaps hoping for a lavish gift. Unfortunately, Butcher can offer little more than goodwill to those in the last six months of their deals.
Some, such as Andrew Shinnie, are understood to be on the wishlist of npower Championship clubs. Others, among them top scorer Billy McKay, are under contract until summer 2014 but are also attracting covetous glances. These young men have forced a revision of their own reputations, and that of the club, this season and Butcher is eager that the bond they have formed will encourage them to stay on.
"I want to keep as much of this team together as I can," he said ahead of today's trip to Perth. "Virtually all of them are playing the best football of their careers and that is a really special thing. What the boys have built is phenomenal. Given the way this team has gelled and formed and is developing and maturing all the time, I'd hope there is an incentive to stay.
"I wouldn't hold a grudge against a player who goes to a bigger club or another club for more money. That's business, that's football. But I would be disappointed if that did happen to a player here because I'd hope they would want to stay for at least another season. I don't expect anyone to go, though."
Sometimes it is not solely down to the player. Gary Warren conceded as much yesterday when he admitted that persuading his partner to move to Inverness was central to his contract discussions.
"That's the only stumbling block," the centre-back said. "If it is going to happen, it has to be right for both of us. I'm 28 and Amy is 29 and entering her last year at the University of Gloucestershire. She would be looking to come up and find a job. If we are going to move up, we will be looking to settle down here so it is a big decision for us. It needs a lot of thought and the gaffer has been brilliant in giving us time.
"I'd love to stay because I love the club and I like what's happening here. If everything else is right, I'd like to commit my peak years."
Steve Lomas has contractual concerns of his own. The manager of St Johnstone awoke yesterday to discover Hibernian were keen to tempt Liam Craig from McDiarmid Park but he is eager not only to retain the midfielder's services but also to extend Peter Pawlett's loan agreement from Aberdeen.
"We have offered Liam a contract extension," Lomas said. "I can't control speculation linking any of our players with other clubs but I know Liam isn't the sort of guy to be distracted from the task in hand. The ultimate decision on his future will be down to the player but right now the focus is on Inverness."
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