The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Wright praises striker after equalling record
Boss hails veteran attacker’s influence as he stands on brink of making history
Steven MacLean joined Paul Wright as St Johnstone’s leading top-flight goalscorer at the weekend.
And, even though the former Rangers and Aberdeen man is now in the veteran stage of his career, his influence on the Perth side is showing no sign of diminishing according to his manager.
MacLean reached 39 Premiership goals with a top-quality finish against Motherwell and boss Tommy Wright believes only injury has stopped the forward, who is a few days away from his 35th birthday, from racing past a club record set over 20 years ago.
“It has been overlooked because of what happened in the game but MacLean’s finish is incredible,” Wright said.
“His back was to goal and he showed a great touch, awareness and composure to get the ball in the net. It was well worked by Stefan (Scougall). We didn’t just lump it into the box.
“What a player Macca has been for us. And but for injuries he would have been way past the record long ago. “We certainly aren’t getting carried away with it,” said Wright.
“Most managers will tell you they really only start looking at the table a third of the way in.
“But you always want to get your first wins home and away as quickly as possible and our aim now is to get 10 points on the board.”
Wright added: “We got over the disappointment in Europe and have continued the form we finished with last season when we won three out of five after the split.
“It’s worth noting we were 2-1 up when Motherwell had 11 on the pitch and 3-1 up when they had 10.
“It was a good performance and we only felt under pressure at setplays.
“We defended long ball into the box really well and we were ruthless. On that basis we deserved to win the game.”
“Most people recognise he is one of the best link-up strikers in the league and he still has a great appetite for the game. Macca is a leader on and off the pitch for us.”
Meanwhile, Wright has backed MacLean’s former strike-partner, Stevie May, to be a success with Aberdeen.
“It’s great to see him back playing even I would have preferred he hadn’t come back to Scotland,” he said.
“Obviously a player of Stevie’s quality strengthens Aberdeen.
“He has been unfortunate with his injury. It was a nasty one but it was just bad luck.
“As with most players when they get injured it’s not down to neglect or being a bad professional.
“At our place he hardly ever picked up an injury. But these things happen in our sport and it was a serious one for Stevie. But he has been strong and shown the character to keep going.
“I have been on the end of it in my own playing days and there are dark days. But he will have had good support and it is great to see him come through it and get back playing.
“Stevie did incredibly well for me and for the club. The fans know that and you can never take away what he did for St Johnstone when he was here.
“For a season and a bit he was incredible here, helping us to win the Scottish Cup.”
The St Johnstone under-20s take on their Aberdeen counterparts in the first round of the Irn Bru Cup at Brechin’s Glebe Park this evening. Kick-off 7.45pm.
Tommy Wright has set his top-of-the-table St Johnstone side their next target.
The Perth boss isn’t putting too much significance on being able to look down on the rest of the Premiership after a 100% start to their 2017-18 league campaign.
But he does believe two from two reflects a form trend that stretches back several months.
The next milestone for Saints is raising their points tally into double figures. “It’s a great start for us,” Wright admitted. “Particularly bouncing back after the disappointment of Tuesday night (going out of the Betfred Cup).
“It’s nice for fans to see us top of the table but it is only two games into the season.”