Hibs winger was hailed as ‘most giftted Saints signing’

DREY WRIGHT thought namesake Tommy had been sent ‘doolally’ by lockdown when he was told his old manager had branded him the most gifted signing he made at St Johnstone.

But the winger insists he is eager to prove he is ready to take his career upwards and onwards after joining Hibs.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a special relationship with Wright after joining from Colchester United in 2018 and admits the Northern Irishman’s exit from McDiarmid Park signalled the end of his own time in Perth. But, given his seven years at the helm for Saints, Hibs’ new recruit was thrilled with the glowing reference his old boss gave him following his own departure.

Having knocked back the offer of a new deal at Saints, he said: “It was disappointing how it ended at St Johnstone, because the time I spent there, almost two years, was brilliant. I made a lot of friends and really enjoyed my time at the club.

“During the lockdown, when the news came through that Tommy had left, I did think that my time at the club may be coming to an end too, because he’d been a good manager for me and he’d been pushing for my new deal for a while.

“It had taken its time, due to various reasons. And obviously it wasn’t to be, in the end. But I’m over the moon to be a Hibs player now.

“Speaking to the other boys in the [Saints] dressing room, nobody saw it coming. It was a shock to us all.

“I heard what Tommy said about me and it was nice to hear. I’m not too sure I believed it and I did wonder if the lockdown had turned him a bit doolally!

“But, seriously, it was nice to hear because he’s someone I have a lot of respect for as a manager and a person as well. He was always very good with me and was very honest from day one. I wish him well in whatever he decides to do next.

“In terms of progression, every move I’ve made has been a good one for me. I just want to keep progressing.

“I have had tough times and I have had some brilliant times. Moving to Hibs this summer was the perfect scenario for me.”

Wright has confessed he took a ‘leap of faith’ in agreeing to train with Hibs without a concrete offer on the table.

And it was a decision that was made all the more risky by the fact he became father to twins Oakley and Jessie earlier this year.

The pair arrived eight weeks early back in February and spent three weeks in intensive care in hospital before eventually being allowed home just before the coronavirus lockdown.

It has all added up to a ‘crazy’ summer but one that has the player raring to go with Hibs.

Asked about his twins’ birth, he added: “It’s been good. I’ve been around a lot more for them, having missed out on the early stages with my firstborn. It’s been nice to have been around, offering help to my partner.

“It’s such a blessing for the two of us, that they’re both healthy.

“It was tough. My partner gave birth on February the 17th so it was a little before lockdown. They were eight weeks early so they were in the intensive care unit for three weeks or so and came out the week before the games were all called off.

“We had a couple of nights and I was looking forward to sleeping in the guest bedroom but then the games were called off and we weren’t back in the building. I didn’t return to McDiarmid Park after that.

“It was a crazy summer for everyone but for us we were very busy. The care we got from the staff and the NHS was brilliant.”