Brewster: Niculae Is Going Nowhere

Apr 27 2008 By Gavin Berry

BOSS Craig Brewster has assured Inverness fans that star striker Marius Niculae will still be at the club next season.

A war of words had broken out after chairman Alan Savage, whose company had been paying the Romanian's wages, walked away.

Majority shareholder David Sutherland claimed Caley would have to sell the former Sporting Lisbon ace but new chairman George Fraser denied that - and insisted Niculae's wages had already been factored into next season's budget.

After yesterday's 1-0 defeat at Hearts, Brewster said: "Marius has another year left on his contract, it's as simple as that.

"Will he be at the club next season? Absolutely." Niculae was hooked at Tynecastle with young Hearts striker Gary Glen grabbing the only goal.

Brewster said: "People can say there's not much at stake but for players and bosses there's pride, places in the league and points to be had.

"You're always disappointed to lose but I don't think there was much in the game. They had a couple of good chances early on when Michael Fraser did well and Deividas Cesnauskis miskicked in front of goal.

"We worked Steve Banks a couple of times in the first half and played some nice football. But in the second we didn't assert ourselves although I couldn't see us losing a goal after Lee Wallace had a shot blocked on the line. We were looking strong and solid but Gary produced a bit of magic and that was the difference."