Nonetheless, the Cumbernauld Colts supervisor believes his outdated membership have each cause to consider they would be the champions come the final kick of the ball.
Inverness knocked out Partick Thistle and Arbroath within the season-ending promotion play-offs final season, earlier than shedding out to St Johnstone within the ultimate in Perth final month.
Former Caley Thistle star David Proctor thinks a number of sides within the Championship will current a title problem to Inverness subsequent season – even some shock hopefuls.
Proctor, who received the second-tier title with ICT in 2004 and 2010, retains tabs on occasions on the Caledonian Stadium and the division he has been champion of twice.
Half-time Arbroath have been simply two factors behind final 12 months’s winners Kilmarnock after going the space throughout the common league matches.
This season, Dundee have traded locations with Killie, dropping down from the Premiership, whereas League 1 champions Cove Rangers and play-off victors Queen’s Park come up instead of relegated Queen of the South and Dunfermline Athletic.
Proctor suggestions an thrilling marketing campaign from the beginning and feels Billy Dodds’ males should kick off believing they will return to the top-flight for the primary time since 2017.
He stated: “It’s one other 12 months within the Championship for Inverness and they’ll actually be amongst the favourites.
“It’s actually necessary that they’ve saved Sean Welsh, which, because the captain, maintains the continuity.
“There are all the time one or two shock packages within the Championship. There might nicely be motion from Queen’s Park or Cove Rangers.
“I feel there will likely be plenty of challenges forward over the following 12 months for Caley Thistle, however will begin as one of many favourites. In the event that they get off to begin, you by no means know.
“Each membership has acquired a little bit of a again story and they’ll all fancy their possibilities.
“There are huge, historic golf equipment. You have a look at Morton and Dougie Imrie, for instance. If they’re doing nicely, they are going to carry an enormous help.
“Whereas Cove Rangers have achieved it the fitting method in current occasions by coming from the Highland League and successful promotions with a very good infrastructure.
“Queen’s Park have invested within the services and have a superb infrastructure and going full-time, so it truly is getting increasingly thrilling all through the leagues from the Championship all the way down to Leagues 1 and a pair of.
