Saints boss keen to keep Swanson

Tommy Wright remains optimistic that Danny Swanson will be a St Johnstone player next season, and insisted the player has been neither “greedy nor unreasonable”, writes Eric Nicolson.

The former Dundee United man spoke of his contract talks “nightmare” after he and the Perth club had reached an impasse.

Online conspiracy theorists took Swanson’s omission from the squad in Dingwall on Saturday as a sign that Wright was unhappy that his playmaker had spoken his mind – but nothing could be further from the truth.

“Danny was injured,” the Saints boss said. “End of story.

“He had a problem with the ligament in his knee all week in training. It is something he has been bothered with before in his career.

“We tried it out on Friday morning and it wasn’t right. He will be a doubt for the weekend but I’d imagine he will be available to go to Ibrox next Wednesday.

“I don’t do the social media stuff. It’s not my scene. But just to put the record straight, he was injured. I pick the team based on whoever is fit.

“On what he said about the contract situation I reiterate what I said after the game – I don’t see anything wrong with it. The only demand Danny was making was that he wants to get his career sorted out and who wouldn’t in his position.

“It wasn’t negative. He put out how he feels things have gone and I can feel his frustration when I speak to him.

“I feel frustrated myself that it hasn’t been sorted, for whatever reason. But the good thing for me is that he has again made it clear he wants to stay here.”

“I feel frustrated myself that it hasn’t been sorted, for whatever reason. But the good thing for me is that he has again made it clear he wants to stay here. That should help us,” Wright said.

“Danny knows the wage structure of the club and he isn’t being greedy or unreasonable. He wants his future sorted and anyone in his position would be the same.”

Wright added: “I am positive about the article. I like the fact Danny says what he feels. He has said how he sees things and the club will have a slightly different viewpoint. But I am still hopeful we can get it sorted. I still want Danny here.

“The contract situation has affected him. He has a young family to think about and be concerned about. Footballers are human and they want to feel wanted.

“Hopefully Danny’s future will be with us. If it isn’t, then that’s just football. I will move on, St Johnstone will move on and Danny will move on.”