The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Central midfield is key for Wright
St Mirren have signed Matty Willock but the Perth boss is happy to bide his time to find a fitting replacement
A central midfielder is at the top of Tommy Wright’s transfer wishlist – but ex-loan player Matty Willock won’t be returning to McDiarmid Park
St Mirren have clinched a deal for the Manchester United youngster for the season and Wright is to bide his time before he finishes his summer business
The Perth boss, who has already brought in Drey Wright, Tony Watt, Matty Kennedy and Conor Mitchell, said: “I think we have done well in the transfer market so far. I think we have improved the squad.
“We have brought players in who are the right age and there are other targets too. There is another month to get players and I would like to get a central midfielder in.
“But there are variables there. We may have to trim the squad a bit to get someone else in.
“And there is also the Betfred Cup. I think if we manage to get through this weekend then the picture looks a bit clearer financially. I am happy with the squad we have at the minute.
“There is no doubt centre midfield is the priority but it’s about getting the right person in so I’m happy to wait for it to happen.”
Former Kilmarnock and Everton winger Kennedy could start this afternoon’s Betfred Cup group decider at Forfar.
“I have been pleased with Matty in training,” said Wright.
“He got 10 minutes against Falkirk and he’s pushing for the weekend.
“We have added more quality at the top end of the pitch. That was something we set out to do back in January when I spoke to the chairman about plans for the future.
“I believe we have done that, the players we’ve brought in have settled.
“There is room for improvement. We can be sharper and can turn more of the possession we’ve had into goals.
“But I think we have looked sharper with every game we’ve played in the cup this season. Hopefully we can take another step forward this weekend against Forfar.”
Wright added: “The clean sheets have pleased me. I felt we lost too many cheap goals last season.
“The goals against from set-plays were something I really wasn’t happy with. We lost 21 goals that way and I don’t think we would have lost that amount in the previous four seasons.
“So that is something we have been working to address.
“Physically I don’t think we are as big as some of the other teams in the league, but we have been working hard to focus on not losing goals.”
Young centre-back Liam Gordon has taken his chance in the Betfred Cup and is building a strong case to start the Premiership season at Kilmarnock next weekend.
“Liam has done well in the games he’s played so far,” said Wright.
“Like the rest of the young players he’s had to be patient.
“I have to make sure they are ready to go into the first team and now I think a lot of them are where we need them to be.
“We had players through the academy but we have also done well picking up players like Liam, Jason Kerr and Aaron Comrie at 17.
“It has taken time.
“They have had to be patient and I have had to be patient with them.
“I think we are reaping the benefits of that now because they’re all pushing hard for places.”
Joe Shaughnessy, Chris Kane, Brian Easton, Ali McCann and Stefan Scougall will all miss out today.
Murray Davidson and Greg Hurst are both expected to be available.
Meanwhile, Wright is happy the club will have a team in the SPFL reserve league this season.
“I’m pleased we’ve considered it and will go in it,” he said.
n On signing Willock on loan for a year, St Mirren boss Alan Stubbs said: “He certainly brings a physicality to the midfield, most importantly he brings competition for places.
“He is a big lad, six foot one or two, powerful, aggressive, he will get around the pitch.
“He is a threat in terms of scoring which is what I want to add to the midfield area and he certainly gives us a lot of options in there.”
Willock is pleased to get another chance to feature in Scotland’s top flight.
The Londoner told stmirren.com: “I’m really delighted. I spoke to the gaffer and he really sold me on the way he wants the team to progress this season. I know what I am coming into. I know the tempo of the game is really quick so hopefully my experience last season stands me in good stead.
“I’m a midfielder, I work hard, I try and drive forward with the ball and will hopefully chip in with some goals and assists.”