The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Saints striker’s efforts deserve goal reward
ST JOHNSTONE: Wright believes Cummins can take great confidence from showing against Hamilton
Tommy Wright has praised striker Graham Cummins for his contribution to St Johnstone’s comeback win against Hamilton Accies.
And now the Perth boss hopes the Irishman will get the goal he deserves.
Cummins has yet to find the net this season.
With Michael O’Halloran injured, it was a rare start for the 29-year-old at the weekend.
Cummins set up Steven MacLean’s equaliser and had earlier come close to scoring with a header, when keeper Gary Woods just got back to his line in time to keep it out.
Wright believes the forward should take heart from Saturday’s display and, with O’Halloran again a doubt for the trip to Pittodrie, he could be given the chance to get his first goal of the campaign in the second v third clash.
Wright said: “There wasn’t enough on the ball for him to get any power on his header but I was really pleased with his overall game and he’s created the opening goal for us.
“He led the line and worked his socks off. All he needs is a goal.
“Saturday should give him a lot of confidence.
“That’s two games he’s made a difference for us – he came on at Dundee and got us a penalty and he’s set up an equaliser on Saturday.
“He’s a good foil for Macca. I know he likes playing with Graham.
“That performance should do him a lot of good.”
Wright went to Fir Park on Sunday to check out Derek McInnes’s side.
Before that win for Aberdeen there had been talk of a drop-off in the Reds’ play from last season to this.
“I went to the game and you’ve got to hand it to Aberdeen,” said Wright. “They made a few changes and coped better with Motherwell.
“Motherwell were the better team in the cup but Aberdeen just made mistakes to gift them at least two goals.
“They were solid on Sunday and didn’t make any mistakes.
“It was a great performance to get a win because Motherwell are going to be a tough side this season.
“I haven’t seen a lot of Aberdeen before the weekend but there seems to be a lot of people – particularly in the press – who are saying their performances haven’t been good.
“But I would take their points total and a lot of other managers would. They can’t be doing too much wrong.”
He led the line and worked his socks off. All he needs is a goal. TOMMY WRIGHT