Tommy goes tonto at his flops as the window pain hits him hard
ALBION R v ST JOHNSTONE Perth boss eyes 3 late deals after lashing out over lack of signings
TOMMY WRIGHT last night admitted his St Johnstone players copped a rollicking as his transfer-window frustration boiled over after the 3-1 loss to Partick Thistle.
The Saints boss savaged his flops following an eighth home game without victory. And fuming Wright warned “the gloves were off ” as he threatened to wield the axe for tonight’s Scottish Cup clash.
But last night the Perth boss was given the green light by chairman Steve Brown to draft in three players before Wednesday’s deadline.
He’s hoping to land 22-year-old Welsh international winger George Williams from Fulham on a loan deal within the next 24 hours. And Aberdeen’s Scott Wright, 20, is also being targeted to add width to Wright’s stuttering team.
Williams has seven caps for Wales and made his debut standing in for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale under previous manager Chris Coleman.
Wright is also stepping up attempts to secure a central midfielder who has been in his sights.
He said: “I had a right rant at the players and probably went over the top with it after the Partick defeat.
“There was a frustration that we need players in but haven’t got anyone yet. There are three or four days left and they are going to be a big three or four for the club.
“We need to freshen it up, we need players to come in and give us a lift.”
Wright had pledged wholesale changes for tonight’s twice postponed Cliftonhill tie but could have seven stars missing through injury and suspension.
Wright revealed keeper Zander Clark, skipper Joe Shaughnessy, David Wotherspoon, Scott Tanser and Stefan Scougall all picked up weekend knocks and Richard Foster is still suspended.
Former Dundalk striker David McMillan, Wright’s only transfer window recruit, is also sidelined after being smashed by Jags keeper Tomas Cerny.
The Saints boss added: “McMillan is out. His face is badly beaten up so he’ll probably have two black eyes. The way he landed has hurt his hamstring and we are waiting to find out if he has a tear.”
Striker Denny Johnstone warned Saints have no time to dwell on the fallout from the Jags defeat.
He said: “It’s great to have a game so soon so we can change the vibe around the place. Everyone was disappointed against Partick but we have to get over it and bring the positivity back.
“We have the belief we can go on a run. We know we have the ability but it’s up to us to do it.
“The manager wasn’t happy on Saturday but the focus is on Albion Rovers now. We have to look forward as this is a big game.
“My first Scottish Cup game was for Morton at Cliftonhill.
“It was this time of year it was a heavy pitch and a tough game but I scored that day so hopefully I can do the same again.” ALBION ROVERS boss Brian Kerr reckons St Johnstone’s weekend defeat is the worst thing that could have happened to his side.
The League One minnows are dreaming of a Scottish Cup upset tonight with a fifth-round trip to Hearts up for grabs.
Kerr, whose team crashed 3-1 to Stranraer on Saturday, said: “St Johnstone are a good side who will be out to prove a point after losing to Partick. That result hasn’t done us any favours but we will attack. We score goals but our defending needs to be better.”
On-loan Hearts centre-back Daniel Baur can’t play as he was signed after the original date of the tie. Rovers are also missing banned pair Alan Trouten and Michael Hopkins plus injured Ross Perry.