TERRY Butcher has moved to distance himself from the vacant Ipswich Town job – though admitting he is flattered by the speculation linking him with an emotional return to Portman Road.

Just hours after one former Town legend put himself forward for the job – George Burley – Butcher, who currently managers Inverness Caledonian Thistle, said any rumours were “pure speculation”.

Butcher said: “It is of course flattering to be linked with a club like Ipswich.

“It is a club where I spent my most enjoyable years as a player, and which is very much in my heart.

“Being linked with the vacant managerial job is pure speculation. Moreover, I have a job at Inverness which I thoroughly enjoy especially working with such a talented group of players who are responding well to my methods.”