Wright: We can’t blame the ref for defeat

TOMMY WRIGHT insists it was poor decision-making by his St Johnstone players — and not the match officials — that led to a 4-0 home defeat against Rangers. The Perth side claimed a Murray Davidson effort had crossed the line before being cleared by Steven Davis in the 87th minute. While Saints players complained to referee Andrew Dallas and assistant Douglas Ross, Rangers broke forward and Jermain Defoe put the visitors 3-0 in front. Defoe then looked offside when wrapping up the win in the 90th minute. However, Wright was more concerned by the poor defending that helped Alfredo Morelos and Connor Goldson score the first two goals. ‘Everything was good at half-time,’ said Wright. ‘Rangers looked at their most dangerous on the counter-attack. That’s where their first goal comes from. ‘The decision-making was poor. You know Morelos wants to get tight to you and roll you. For all that he does well, we gifted the first goal. For the second, they got a free header. ‘We tried to stay in the game and think we got a perfectly good goal. We didn’t get it and they went up the field and scored. You think it’s going to be 2-1 but it’s 3-0 and it’s game over. We think it’s over the line. I know Rangers are saying it wasn’t. If we had VAR, it would tell us one way or another. ‘The fourth goal was well offside. I don’t know how the linesman doesn’t get it. ‘But refereeing decisions aren’t what cost us. It was our poor decision-making and defending. ‘For their third, we had too many players arguing with officials and they went up the field and scored. That is naivety. Rangers deserved their win. ‘My frustration is not with the officials but with our defending at times.’