IRISH AYES
Tommy: I could never say no to top job with my country
TOMMY WRIGHT has admitted it would be impossible to turn down Northern Ireland if he is asked to replace Michael O’Neill as manager.
The St Johnstone boss will be the Irish FA’s No.1 choice if his countryman becomes Scotland gaffer – and he insists being in the frame would be the stuff of dreams.
After leading Saints to their first Scottish Cup triumph three years ago and securing a string of Europa League qualifications the 54-year-old has been linked with several club jobs, with his chairman Steve Brown rebuffing a move from Tayside rivals Dundee United.
But Wright would be unable to turn his back on his country if O’Neill moves on and the call comes in from Belfast.
He said: “It is nice that people who might have inside information think I would be a candidate if the job does become available. I played for my country and have captained them. I finished playing and went into management and I see it as the pinnacle for any manager or coach to take charge of your own national team.
“It is a natural progression for any manager with ambitions to see your national team job as the most important one of all.
“Northern Ireland have a brilliant manager at the moment and I have been linked with managerial jobs before. But this is different. If you’re a player I believe the pinnacle is international football. I know some people don’t believe that nowadays but I do.
“If I had finished with one cap for my country I’d have been happy but I made it to 31 and captained the side three or four times.
“I remember my first game when George Best threw mud at the referee and got sent off. Scotland were lucky to beat us 1-0. I was carried out of the ground on my dad’s shoulders when I was only six or seven years old.
“Your country is your country and I don’t think anybody could refuse a call if it came. It’s a job any Northern Ireland coach or manager would want.
“But anything linking me to the job is purely speculation because the post isn’t available right now. And it is speculation about a job my best friend is in.”
Wright, who cut his teeth in management with Limavady, Ballymena and Lisburn Distillery before coming to Scotland as assistant to Steve Lomas six years ago, said: “I spoke to Michael yesterday. We have been friends for 30 years come January.
“We always catch up after international games and he had a moan about some of the decisions that went against them when they played Switzerland.
“The thing that probably surprises me most is he hasn’t had the opportunity of a move before now.
“He does have a decision to make now because Scotland have made their interest officially known. There is also talk of the USA and Sunderland.
“Northern Ireland will try to keep him and as a supporter I hope he stays and continues the good work he has done.
“But I believe Michael has earned the right to have this much interest being shown in him and to make a decision which he feels
It’s a job that any Northern Ireland coach or manager would want TOMMY WRIGHT
is the right one for him for his next move.
“He will have a challenge with whatever option he takes. If he takes the Scotland manager’s job that is a new challenge for him and it would be the same if he fancied club football.
“If he stays with Northern Ireland he will be starting again with a new campaign but he will make his decision based on what he thinks is best for him.”
Wright insists his priority is ending Saints’ six-game run without a win, or a goal, when he squares up to close pal Neil Lennon and his in-form Hibs side at Easter Road tomorrow.
He added: “It is a tough place to go. Lenny has done incredibly well. I did say they would be a force this year because he has recruited well and he is a very good manager.
“He took Danny Swanson, our best player last season, off us and he has brought in international players, guys that have won leagues and cups.
“He has been able to get Brandon Barker from Manchester City, has John McGinn flying and has secured the likes of Steven Whittaker, Efe Ambrose and Anthony Stokes.
“Lenny has a strong squad and they have a good track record at home.
“But we are looking forward to the game.
“It doesn’t matter what sort of run we are in – and I accept it is poor at the moment – I always believe we can win the next game.”
Wright, who hopes to have Stefan Scougall, Michael O’Halloran and Murray Davidson available for Easter Road, added: “This one is no different. We believe we can go there and get a good result.”