Inverness keen to hang on to James Vincent and Danny Williams

Inverness assistant manager Brian Rice insists the Highlanders have not given up hope of keeping hold of James Vincent and Danny Williams.

The pair have been targeted by Dundee manager Paul Hartley with a view to a potential summer move to Dens Park.

The Dark Blues are ready to tempt the Caley Thistle duo away on pre-contracts but Rice says his club are still keen to keep hold of 26-year-old midfielder Vincent and winger Williams, 28.

However, if they are lured to Tayside, John Hughes' number two hinted Inverness will be ready to snap up some swift replacements.

Asked if he had resigned himself to losing the players, Rice said: You're not resigned to losing anyone until it's done and dusted.

It's the players' prerogative to go and speak to other clubs if they are out of contract. That's the rules, just as we can go speak to players at another club.

So even though players might be leaving here we might be speaking to players at other clubs. It's just not been documented.

It works both ways. Some will go, some will stay, some will come in. That's just football.''

Vincent and Williams will be given an early peek at the players they could be lining up with next season when the Dee host Caley Thistle on Saturday.

But they could also help dent Hartley's top-six ambitions.

Seventh-placed Inverness are one place and two points behind Dundee and Rice wants to see his men leapfrog their weekend opponents with a win.

This Saturday's game is one that, if we win, would push us into the top six,'' he said.It's very tight at the bottom of the league and everybody is looking over their shoulder.

But everyone is also looking up, just as we are and I'm sure Dundee are too.

I've not known the league to be so tight for a long time and it's bringing great excitement for the public. It's a wee bit nerve-racking but we are looking up the way more than we are below.''

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