RICHIE Foran has paid the price for Inverness' relegation after the Highland outfit confirmed they had axed him as manager.

 

The former club captain stepped up to become Caley Thistle boss last summer after being handed a four-year deal.

But the Irishman's one season in charge turned out to be a nightmare as the club were demoted from the Ladbrokes Premiership on the back of just seven league victories.

Foran was made to sweat on his position for a week after Kenny Cameron announced he was stepping down as chairman.

But his successor Willie Finlayson confirmed the 36-year-old has now left the club.

He said: "Richie has been a great servant to ICTFC and put 100 per cent into his job as manager; and previously as a player.

"We all thank him for his service and wish him and his family all the very best for the future."

Foran was given his management chance after Scottish Cup-winning boss John Hughes quit in protest at cuts to his playing budget.

But the former Motherwell, Shelbourne, Carlisle and Motherwell frontman believed the money handed to him by Cameron's board would be sufficient to see the club challenging for a top-six slot.

However, the writing appeared to be on the wall for his side right from the beginning as they lost their opening four league games.

A brief upturn in results saw Foran named manager of the month for September but by the time of the Premiership split Caley Thistle had mustered just four wins and were stranded at the bottom of the table.

The former club captain did manage to inspire his team to three wins from their final four games but that was not enough to spare Inverness the drop.