Dennis Wyness has turned down the prospect of a bumper wage packet to help Inverness Caledonian Thistle's bid for the First Division title.

Former Caley Thistle boss Steve Paterson had been hoping to persuade the striker to follow him to Aberdeen.

And Hearts are just one of the other clubs linked with a move for the 25-year-old.

But new Inverness boss John Robertson told BBC Radio Scotland: "He wants to stay until the end of the season and help us battle with Falkirk, Clyde and St Johnstone.

John Robertson wants Wyness to stay

"The player should be applauded for that, because he has turned down a fair amount of money to stay with us."

Caley Thistle had already offered Wyness a new contract and will hope that they can meantime persuade him to sign.

Their problem is that Scottish Premier League rules will almost certainly thwart their hopes of promotion, even if they finish the season as champions.

Wyness was brought to Caledonian Stadium from Aberdeen by Paterson in 1999 and his former boss and former club will be favourites to secure his services at the end of the season.

Aberdeen have already been accused by Livingston of signing their defender, Michael Hart, on a pre-contract agreement.

Newspaper reports have also suggested that Hearts would like to sign Wyness on a similar basis.