Murray cool on Wright job link

Murray Davidson has highlighted the positive influence of manager Tommy Wright – and hopes he remains in charge for the foreseeable future.

The Saints boss has been named as a possible candidate for the Northern Ireland job after Michael O’Neill signed a contract with Stoke City.

O’Neill will continue to take on international duties for the remainder of the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign before someone else takes up the hot-seat.

Wright has been among those named as a favourite to make the step, with Motherwell’s Stephen Robinson, David Healy and Ian Baraclough also tipped.

Saints midfielder Davidson said:“It’s not been mentioned here. I’ve seen his name getting bandied about but that has happened before.

“Obviously everyone at the club wants him to stay because we know how big an influence he is. Until we get told any differently, he’s still the manager.

“He is too professional and too experienced to let his mind wander.

“I’m surprised he is still here with what he has done over the years. Right now he is our manager and hopefully he stays.

“It’s his country and I think he’s said before it would be a difficult job to turn down.

“But until we or he gets told otherwise then he is the St Johnstone manager.

“I know he will be 100 per cent focused. Until it does get mentioned, we move on.”

Saints are reflecting on a highly disappointing result and performance against Hibernian at the weekend.

After the 4-1 McDiarmid Park drubbing, Davidson said: “We came into the game in good form but we’ve missed a chance and now we need to wait two weeks for another game.

“I’d rather play tomorrow but that’s the way it is.

“Even when you win a game you want to play. I hate weekends off.

“For the next two weeks we’ll be thinking we’ve been battered.”