The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Wright: I won’t be losing sleep over Swanson departure
There will be no hangover from Danny Swanson’s summer departure to Hibs, according to St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright.
Last season’s talisman signing a pre-contract with Saturday’s opponents was just “business”, said Wright ahead of the playmaker’s weekend return to McDiarmid Park.
“I spoke to Neil (Lennon) at the time,” Wright recalled.
“He was very upfront in terms of telling us he was going to be speaking to Danny. We spoke again at a game recently.
“I’m not going to lose sleep over a player leaving because it happens all the time. And this was business.
“It was no secret I wanted to keep Danny here and felt we should have kept him but it didn’t happen. He made his decision to go join another club and that is the nature of the game we are in.”
Wright went to Dens Park to watch Hibs’ draw with Dundee before the international break, and he believes the Easter Road side were unlucky not to return to winning ways after their shock home defeat to Hamilton Accies.
“I thought Hibs should have won the game,” he said. “They were the better side but Dundee dug in and (Scott) Bain had an exceptionally good game for them.
“Hibs were a strong side last season and given the size of the club Neil has been able to go out into the market and strengthen further.
“He has brought in Stokes, kept hold of Ambrose and made other quality signings, including Danny.
“So they are stronger and have more in terms of depth. They have players with quality at the top end of the pitch and will be hoping to get in the top six this season.
“Simon Murray has come in and done really well for him so Neil will be happy with the squad he has brought together. He has scope for making changes if he feels they are required.
“Their attendances are way up on what they were last season. Hibs have a strong support base. They have bought season tickets in their droves and there will be a lot of full houses against the likes of Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and even Aberdeen.
“They will average gates of 15,000-plus at Easter Road and that allows Neil to go out there and invest in the team.”
Saints defender Brian Easton, meanwhile, fears Michael O’Halloran’s return to McDiarmid Park might prove short-lived if rival suitors take notice of his stunning start to the season.
O’Halloran has moved back to Perth on loan until January after being told by Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha he is no longer required at Ibrox.
That has come as welcome news to Saints manager Tommy Wright, who is already looking to put together an offer that would see his McDiarmid stint extended beyond the winter break.
Easton fears St Johnstone will find themselves facing competition for O’Halloran’s signature if he keeps up his impressive strike rate.
The Saints defender said: “If Rangers don’t want him then we will bite their hand off to keep him.
“But if Mikey keeps playing the way he is playing then there will be a few teams sniffing about him come January.
“I’m sure we’ll be one of them but as long as Mikey’s doing the business for us we’ll not complain too much if other teams are taking notice. We just want the best for him and his career.
“He’s enjoying his football and his day-to-day life at St Johnstone. Hopefully he can keep his run going and continue proving people wrong.”