NO HOME WYN NOW

Duncan, though, has seen the quiet man of Inverness do his talking on the pitch over the years and insists losing him will be a bitter blow to the club.

Rumours were rife yesterday that Wyness, with 101 goals in two spells either side of a stint at Hearts, was taking his final bow.

David Proctor’s sending off forced the tactical substitution of Wyness after 57 minutes and the rapturous response from the home fans suggested they, too, thought their hero was off.

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson, who has never hidden his desire to land the 31-year-old, insisted no deal was yet done with the Paisley club.

Duncan, though, carried an air which suggested he was resigned to losing his long-time team-mate and friend to pastures new.

He said: “Dennis will be a big loss, if that’s what he has decided to do. He has been a terrific player for this club and everyone who has watched him over the years knows what he is capable of.

“The way he turns players, creates and scores goals changes games. Dennis hasn’t said anything to the lads yet, which is perhaps typical as he is never one to say too much.

“I’m sure, if he signs for someone, whoever that may be, he will have a good chat with the lads and say his goodbyes.

“But he’s a friend and great team-mate who has been through a lot with me and others over the years, so it’s sad if he is definitely leaving.”

Duncan admitted there was a sombre mood at the close of a season of ups and downs. Should Rangers beat or draw with St Mirren, Caley Thistle will cling onto ninth place — but it will still be their lowest finish in four SPL seasons.

The campaign’s points haul of 43 is also marginally the lowest since reaching the top flight, but Duncan is unperturbed.

He stressed: “The lads have played some good stuff at times this season and we did go on a good run.

“But there have also been lows and poor spells. I think we will come back after the summer determined to push on and do better next season. I do think we need a few signings, probably defensively and in attack.

“But we have brought in guys like Don Cowie and Dougie Imrie who have been immense for us and we have a strong core to the squad.

“I think if we are able to strengthen in the right places we can come back and hopefully push for the top six place that has eluded us so far.

“Today, we played quite well and missed a couple of good chances for the opener.  The sending-off changed the game and we had to be more patient and make sure we didn’t leave gaps.

“Even with 10 men we competed well so a draw is not too bad. Finishing ninth is important for the club and for the lads in terms of bonuses — and we still have a chance of that.”

The sense of end-of-an-era was palpable at Caledonian Stadium, given the rumours over Wyness leaving breaking on the airwaves in the run up to the game.

But with St Mirren still on Caley Thistle’s tails for ninth spot, the game was played with commendable energy. It almost ignited, in fact, after barely 10 seconds.

David Proctor stalled an immediate St Mirren surge by felling Craig Dargo outside the box.

Caley Thistle striker Marius Niculae broke too early from the wall to block Will Haining’s free-kick but, from the re-take, Ryan McCay’s attempt was saved by Michael Fraser.

The hosts should have taken a fifth minute lead when Imrie beat two defenders on the left and delivered an inch-perfect cross into the penalty box.

Don Cowie attempted a first-time strike from eight yards but blazed wildly over the bar. Imrie had a shot held by Mark Howard before Dargo just failed to meet David Barron’s cross.

Duncan then struck a tremendous low, long-range shot just wide from 25 yards and, as the half drew to a close, Wyness curled a shot wide and Niculae smacked one off a post.

Saints were given the opportunity to break the deadlock as Caley Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 54 minutes.

Proctor was caught for pace by Dargo on the breakaway and the striker tumbled under his tugging arms, leaving referee Eddie Smith with no option but to send him off.

Strangely, though, the numerical advantage seemed to aid Saints little. There was much huffing and puffing but it took until the 84th minute for Ryan McCay’s cross to cause serious danger. Mehmet struck hard at the target but Fraser was again sharp to save with his legs.

Home boss Craig Brewster felt Caley Thistle should have buried Saints in the first half but insisted he had no knowledge about a move for Wyness.

He said: “I thought we were excellent before the break. We had three great opportunities and maybe on another day we would have been comfortable.

Counterpart Gus MacPherson would only confirm he maintained an interest in the striker and hoped to lure him to Love Street. He was more focused on tomorrow night’s crunch clash with Rangers.

MacPherson said: “The positive is another clean sheet away from home. We have defended superbly in the last 10 or 12 games. The hype around Monday’s game has not affected us and we have to be professional.

“We will prepare properly and rest up with just a light session tomorrow. We’re at home and will probably be asked questions defensively, but we’ve done reasonably well and hopefully we can get a result.”

INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE: Fraser, Tokely, Proctor, Hastings, McBain, Wilson (Hart 79), Cowie, Duncan, Imrie, Wyness (Black 57), Niculae (Bayne 72). Subs not used: Malkowski, McAllister, Kerr, Vigurs.
ST MIRREN: Howard, Barron, Haining, Potter, McCay, Murray, Mason (Hamilton 72), Dorman, O’Donnell (McGinn 90), Mehmet, Dargo. Subs not used: Smith, Docherty, McAusland, Crighton, Burns.