Inverness Caledonian Thistle captain Gary Warren says he always considered Richie Foran as a future manager of the club, and believes now is the right time for him to take the job.

The English defender has played with Foran since arriving in the Highlands in 2012 and said his former teammate has taken to the post "like a duck to water".

Former Motherwell forward Foran was appointed manager at the end of May on a four-year contract when he also announced his retirement from playing.

When asked about how Foran was getting on in the role, Warren flashed a wry smile and said: "The gaffer now, as I call him, has taken to it like a duck to water.

"The way he's come across as a manager is very positive. I think taking from his player role to managing role he's still got the will to win and the hunger to win and succeed, and probably even more so now as a manager.

"For me I've come into the club four or five years now and I've always regarded him as a gaffer to one day take over and I think probably this is the right time for him to take over.

"He's stepped into the seat now and taken over very well."

Since taking over Foran has led the Caley Jags to a top place finish in their Betfred Cup with wins against Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline and Arbroath.

Across those three victories, and the 1-1 draw with Dundee United, Inverness bagged 15 goals which Warren believes is a good mark before the league campaign begins.

The 31-year-old said: "If you look at the start in the cup that we've had, especially in the last week, and how many goals we've scored it's been a good pre-season.

"For us at Inverness we're always optimistic , we're always excited by the start of the new season and the challenges that are in front of us.

"I think for us this year it's the same outlook as any other season now: we look to first of all avoid relegation, and as soon as we get that benchmark or the points then we'll look to kick on from there."