The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Wright hopes patient approach pays off
St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright is hoping the club’s patient approach to transfer window recruitment will pay dividends, starting on Saturday against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Saints signed midfielder Jason Holt and full-back Anthony Ralston on loan from Rangers and Celtic respectively on deadline day.
Those arrivals came hot on the heels of the capture of striker Stevie May for his second spell at McDiarmid Park.
Now, Wright is hoping the new additions can gel quickly as St Johnstone look to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premiership table.
The manager said: “I am happy with the shape of the squad now. It took us some time to get there but we did.
“Stevie May was the No 1 target we had up front and we got him.
“Jason Holt was the player I wanted for the middle of the park and we got him too.
“I said to everyone to be patient during the window and we got there in the end.
“Now we just have to get everyone gelling together and start picking up points.
“Holty, Stevie and Anthony Ralston will all be in the squad for the Aberdeen game.
“And with David Wotherspoon back, we have a full squad to pick from now for the first time this season.”
Wotherspoon has been away on international duty with Canada and made his first start for his country as they beat Cuba 1-0 on Tuesday.
Matty Kennedy is another who has been away, this time with Northern Ireland.
The winger had played for Scotland at all age groups from Under-15 to Under-21 level but the Belfast-born 24-year-old had decided to switch allegiance.
However, while he trained with Michael O’Neill’s squad as they prepared for games against Luxembourg and Germany, the transfer details still had to be completed.
Wright added: “Matty came back to us for the weekend because his paperwork hadn’t come through in time.
“Northern Ireland are just waiting for that to be finalised because there is a whole procedure for him to go through.
“It has taken its time. It was requested a while ago but hasn’t been processed yet.
“It was good for him to get across and train with Michael’s squad, get to know the players and get training with them.
“Michael knows plenty about him because he’s seen him lots of times for St Johnstone so he knows exactly what he’s capable of.
“It’s a good thing for St Johnstone to have another international at the club. It’s a great experience for him.
“It’s always good for your players to get recognised. Matty will benefit from being involved at that level.”