Wright’s rage at Scots boss over snub for in-form Clark
RAGING Tommy Wright reckons St Johnstone have been given another raw deal from Scotland.
Record-chasing keeper Zander Clark was overlooked when national boss Alex McLeish drafted in a replacement for Sunderland’s Jon McLaughlin for the UEFA Nations League double header with Albania and Israel.
In-form Perth No.1 Clark is chasing a fifth successive clean sheet against Hamilton today.
But McLeish yesterday called on 32-year-old Kilmarnock keeper Jamie MacDonald to back-up Old Firm pair Allan McGregor, 36, and Craig Gordon, 35.
And that triggered an angry response from Perth boss and one-time Northern Ireland keeper Wright.
He said: “First of all I’m devastated for Zander. It’s a decision which beggars belief.
“When we saw he’d been overlooked everyone was gobsmacked.
“That’s taking nothing away from Jamie who is a very good keeper and someone I tried to sign in the past.
“But, on form, Zander has been outstanding.”
Despite crashing 6-0 to Celtic before their current run, Wright pointed out Clark had been Saints’ top performer that day.
The Saints gaffer said: “I know people will be thinking it’s the big daft Northern Irishman sticking up for his player again but I just can’t believe it.
“I am probably doing Zander harm by speaking out but it really beggars belief that they see a 32-year-old keeper as the future when the other two are in their mid-30s.
“St Johnstone fans have said to me many times that players don’t get capped at this club and they seem to be right. We are