The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wright reading little into ICT’s results
“Tam Scobbie had his cartilage operation a day early. It went well and he will be back in four-to-six weeks.
“Dave Mackay is still a couple of weeks away.”
Wright won’t be lulled into a false sense of security by Caley Thistle’s no points from three games start to the Premiership season.
“I don’t see it as being a more dangerous time to face them or being any easier just because they have lost three games,” he said.
“Arguably it could be harder because they will be determined to get that first win. This early in the season I don’t think it will affect their mindset and, remember, they had a good Betfred Cup.
“I watched them against Partick and there wasn’t much between the teams. Last week everything turned to gold for Hearts.
“I don’t read too much into previous performances, and we always get a tough game up there.
“We have got to be good, to make sure we come up with a Motherwell-type performance. Do that and we can get a result.”
Two of Wright’s goalkeepers got call-ups for their countries this week – Alan Mannus for Northern Ireland, and Mark Hurst for the Scotland under-21s. With Zander Clark also at the club, they have a strength in depth that will be the envy of many rivals.
“We are well placed for goalkeepers,” Wright said.
“There won’t be many clubs in that position.
“I have always wanted to have two top keepers, and in the past we have had that with Mannus and Enckelman and Mannus and Tuffey.
“We have been well-off for keepers in recent years, and the emergence of Zander and now Mark Hurst has been a real boost for us. They will have big futures in the game.
“Alan had another good season last year, and Zander got games towards the end of the campaign.
“Both have come back absolutely buzzing. They have both been brilliant in training.
“Alan has got the nod and has performed well. He will be wanting to hold on to that firstteam spot, and at the international level put pressure on Michael McGovern with Northern Ireland.
“He has moved up the pecking order with Roy Carroll bowing out, so hopefully there will be more opportunities for Alan to get caps.”
Wright added: “One or two clubs have been asking about getting Hurst on loan, and something could be done in the next 24 hours. We are hoping to get that over the line.
“He was superb for the under20s the other night, but he needs games. I’m surprised we haven’t had more clubs in for him. He did really well on loan at Elgin last season, with 15 clean sheets.”