ST JOHNSTONE Doing it Wright from the start Saints boss urges players to get season off to a flyer
, and published by the Perthshire Advertiser, 58 Watergate, Perth, PH1 5TF (01738 626211). Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper. The big Premiership kickoff is almost upon us — and St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright is determined to start strong. Perth players will be in familiar territory on opening day with a trip to Ayrshire to face Steve Clarke’s Kilmarnock. Rugby Park provided plenty of drama at the same stage last season as a late Michael O’Halloran winner snatched all three points.
Wright admits there is excitement around the club ahead of what is sure to be another thrilling campaign.
“There’s always a buzz at the start of the season when you’re coming up to the first league game,” the Perth boss (left) said.
“Depending on how you do, that can quickly evaporate. We’ve got to make sure we start well and get points on the board.
“I say it every season but we want the first win as quickly as possible and get to the block of 10.
“The league is a lot tougher again this year and there has been a lot of investment in squads.
“I think the standard of the league will improve again and make it another difficult one for every team.
“We know it’s a difficult game and Kilmarnock had a good season last year.
“Steve Clarke will know that the most difficult thing will be repeating that.
“When you look back at the achievements we’ve had, to have so many top-six finishes in a row, it was an unbelievable achievement for the club.”
Predictions on Saints’ finishing place come May next year have been doing the rounds but Wright pays little attention. Sat Aug 4 at Rugby Park — KO 3pm
He said: “I see people already saying we are going to get top six and good cup runs but you can never predict it.
“The pundits every year have Hamilton for relegation and that hasn’t happened. I don’t pay much attention to it.
“I know my team and I think I have enough experience in this league to know what it takes to do well.
“It’s the season for people to make bold predictions on the internet. We don’t pay any attention to it.
“We know what is required in a very tough league. The only
target is to get that first win and get blocks of 10 points.
“We’re working hard to improve on last season and know the areas where we’re going to try and do that.”
McDiarmid Park additions Drey Wright, Matty Kennedy and Tony Watt will bring added excitement to the Perth frontline this term, Wright adding: “I did want to add quality at the top end of the pitch and I’ve done that.
“Drey has settled in well and Matty scored a great goal.
“Tony is doing well and still needs to work on his fitness. But he is working really hard and is a great lad to work with.
“Those three at that end of the pitch have excited the fans — and have certainly excited me in what I’ve seen.
“But it is a step up when you start the league campaign.”
Captain Joe Shaughnessy is still sidelined for tomorrow’s clash in Kilmarnock, while Brian Easton, Callum Hendry and Chris Kane will also miss out through injury. Richard Foster is suspended. Wright said: “Joe is generally a fit lad. It was reported that he got injured whilst on the pre-season trip but it happened before that.
“There is a chance that he can start training on Monday.
“We need games for him and he is about 10 days away from a bounce game.”