Inverness manager Terry Butcher has promised in-demand striker Adam Rooney he will make him a better player if the Irish striker extends his stay in the Highlands.
Rooney, 23, has been linked with moves to a series of clubs when his contract expires at the end of the season, including Hibernian, Caley Thistle's opponents in their penultimate Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash on Wednesday.
"It's a difficult one because Adam is aware of interest," Butcher said. "I don't know the ins and outs but he is very much being spoken to by other clubs and agents. He'll have a touch choice to make because I'm sure there will be a lot of clubs who want his signature. But can a lot of clubs give him that he has here?"
He added: "I don't mean financially, he'll probably get double, treble or quadruple what he gets here.
"But would he get that satisfaction he gets from playing with boys he knows and for a club he loves? You can see he is enjoying his football. He has scored 47 goals in two seasons, which is phenomenal.
"There's a lot more goals to come, I feel, and ultimately a much better product in terms of a better Adam Rooney, after another year or six months with different players. We are able to bring up better players now because Inverness are a bigger attraction then they were before."
Butcher has paved the way for an influx of young English talent who he believes can take the club forward after revealing that 10 players had not been offered contracts.
Butcher added: "It's a great option and a great tug on the heart strings. We have had two seasons of brilliant success for a club like ourselves, punching well above our weight, it's like a fairytale.
"Adam has been central to that success. he has been top scorer for three years. But I think he is a much better player now and I think he can get miles better. And I think he can get miles better for us."
Some of those new players could be at Inverness later this week after the club organised a trial game for free agents. "The players are paying their way up, which is testament to the faith they have in their ability and their desire to get a contract," Butcher said.
Source: PA
