No apologies: Boss’s anger at lack of cash
Tommy Wright last night refused to back down on his criticism of St Johnstone’s lack of action in the transfer window.
The Saints gaffer ruffled feathers on Friday by suggesting club chiefs have frozen him out of their decision-making process.
And after yesterday’s win over Kilmarnock, he doubled down on his position, challenging those in control of the purse strings to loosen them before the window shuts on Friday.
“Most of you in here know me,” he told the media. “What I’ve always tried to do is look after my club and speak passionately about my club.
“I’ve said what I’ve said. I won’t be taking it back.
“With another two injuries today… nobody can tell me it’s a not good win, even though we haven’t signed a player.”
Matty Kennedy’s departure to Aberdeen bagged saints £70,000.
But Wright knows the cash is earmarked for other projects.
Even so, he left no doubt about his desire to add bodies by Friday’s deadline.
“To be fair, the Kennedy money has never, ever been discussed as money that I was getting. I knew that,” he said.
“My frustration lies at times that we could be more proactive than reactive. We’re waiting until the last seven days of the window.
“But I’ve said enough. I think one of my school reports did say that I talk too much and was a bit disruptive in class.
“So maybe I’ve ruffled a few feathers, but hey-ho.
“We’re trying to get Jamie McCart in and we’re trying to get a midfielder in to replace Murray Davidson, but I’ll certainly have to sit down.
“I don’t know how long Drey Wright’s going to be out. Michael O’Halloran’s got a chance for Wednesday night at Celtic.
“But if you look at Wednesday, we’ve got Ralston out because he can’t play against his parent club, Drey more than likely, Davidson out, Kennedy gone – there’s four.
“We do need bodies in.” Meanwhile, Killie boss Alex Dyer was left to lament another poor showing from his side.
“It’s not a quick fix, there is a rot there that needs to come out,” he said.
“If you keep losing games then there is something fundamentally wrong – that is a rot.
“We need to change what we’re doing, we have changed the manager already and unless we are going to change it again then we have to dig in and go again.”