ST JOHNSTONE LATEST
But the St Johnstone manager reckons the U-turn worked out well for both of them.
Scot t ish Cup winning legend Millar (35) will be honoured by the fans in today’s testimonia l clash with Aberdeen.
It was Dons boss Derek McInnes who lured the midfielder to Perth from Morton 10 years ago.
But along the way Wright recalled being dispatched by then St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas to make one final effort to convince Millar he should pen a fresh deal rather than head for pastures new in 2012.
Wright said: “Steve had been trying everything but Chris was adamant he was going to go because he had clubs in Australia and England interested in him.
“It looked like he was going but then Steve asked me to have one last crack at him.
“Chris is very stubborn so I knew I had to watch what I said because I didn’t want to offend him.
“I just made the case that he was better here because agents will tell you they have a club in England for you – but he was nearly 30 at that time and there’s a chance he could have been left high and dry.
“I had been in that position myself in England, being told you are getting a club then it doesn’t happen because they go for someone younger.
“Thankfully Chris took it the right way. I made the case that did he really want to go and play in Australia instead of here.
“I don’t know whether or not that talk is what did it or whether things changed at his end – but he came back in the end.
“I am just glad he did because he has been brilliant for me.
“I’ve had a great relationship with him and I’m delighted he’s getting his testimonial.
“Although the lads like giving him stick and they were asking last season how he could be getting one when he left for a week!”
Mi l lar, who returned to Morton over the summer, arrived at Perth with a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder.
And while he made more than 300 starts for Saints he only weighed-in with one goal under Wright’s command, against Tayside rivals Dundee United.
Wright joked: “I’d heard all the stories about him coming to the club as a scoring midfielder but at Sheffield United when we’ve come up against Premier League teams.
“You want to test yourself against the best players possible and you can do it on this stage.
“Players at this level have that bit more quality and f itness than in the lower leagues. I’m still learning but I’m buzzing to get going here this season.”
McNulty arrives at the Madejski fresh from the high of starring at Wembley as Covent r y secured promotion to League One with a play-off final victory against Exeter.
An injury doubt ahead of the fixture at the home of English football, he shook off those fitness concerns to turn in a man-of-the-match showing in a memorable 3-1 triumph for the Sky Blues.
He added: “We had a special moment in the play-off final and it was great to play at Wembley.
“I signed for Coventry with the aim of getting promoted and we achieved that the difficult way – or perhaps the best way!
“It’s an occasion you’ ll remember for the rest of your days and it was great to get promoted.”