STAY PUT JOE AND IMPROVE
Wright’s still hopeful of keeping his skipper
Blair celebrate winning the league Tommy Wright believes St Johnstone is the best place for Joe Shaughnessy to continue his development.
And the Perth boss reckons his captain can’t be far away from popping up on the Republic of Ireland’s international radar.
Saints are hopeful of keeping hold of the 26-year-old after the summer despite being the subject of interest from former club Aberdeen.
Shaughnessy has a decision to make but Wright isn’t demanding a quick answer from his influential central defender.
Saints have been back in touch with Shaughnessy’s representative and Wright said: “Joe is playing in the top league in Scotland and is part of a team which has kept so many clean sheets this season.
“He is improving. You need to remember we’ve converted him into a decent centre-back.
“Nobody really saw that and he was always a right-back or left-back.
“There’s players from the Scottish Premiership playing international football, so why couldn’t Joe?
“I’ve no problems with Joe’s performances. If he told me today or tomorrow that he was going to Aberdeen, I would have no problem with it.
“I haven’t had him in my office every day pestering him because he needs time to make a decision. It’s a big decision for him.
“Whatever Joe does, it’s got to be remembered that he is captain here and is playing here.
“If it’s all about money Joe will go to Aberdeen because we can’t compete. If it’s about getting the best opportunity to play every week, improve and look for international honours, then I think he is best placed here.
“Aberdeen are a huge club with a huge squad. But Joe will have those decisions to make.
“We’re certainly still in the running and will be until we’re told otherwise. The time it’s taking shows how difficult a decision it is for Joe.”
Shaughnessy featured in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Aberdeen and now Saints are looking to bounce back against Hibernian tomorrow night.
The Perth men are without a win in seven and Wright said: “It doesn’t matter that the run of games has been tough because I expected us to pick up points. We haven’t picked up enough.
“When you are in these runs every little mistake seems to be punished.
“And at the other end you seem to be lacking that cutting edge to put Joe Shaughnessy and his Saints team-mates lost out to Aberdeen on Saturday
teams away when you are on top.
“It’s set up to be a big game on Wednesday and it’s a massive one for both clubs. Hibernian are a club who, with their investment, should be top four.
“But we’ve done well against them and our best performance of the season was probably at Easter Road.
“The goal was late on but we controlled large parts of the game. We know you get a chance to play against them.
“Hopefully, when we get chances, we can convert them to win the game.
“I was impressed that Hibs scored four goals on Friday but Dundee played well offensively against them.
“It will be an open game and we need to be on the front foot to go and win the game.
“We’ve kept a lot of clean sheets this season but we can’t rely on that to win us games.
“We need to turn the good possession and positions into better chances, and we need to start taking chances.”
On the injury front, Michael O’Halloran has been back in training and should be available for selection against Hibs.
Wright said:“Everyone is good after the weekend and we don’t have any fresh injury concerns.
“Tony Watt got a bit of time on the pitch and Michael O’Halloran trained a little on Friday and Saturday.
“He will train again on Monday and hopefully he will be okay for Wednesday.
“At this stage of the season you want everybody fit.”