WE CAN DO IT JUST LIKE U’S
Wright inspired by old team’s last-gasp drama as Perth men target great escape
DREY WRIGHT will never forget the scenes when Colchester United survived relegation thanks to a goal eight minutes from the end of their final game of the season.
It was the ultimate great escape – and a lesson for St Johnstone wide man Wright that where there is a will there is always a way.
Wright was an injured member of the Colchester squad for that League One clash with Preston in May 2015 that began with the U’s three points from safety, needing a win and favours elsewhere.
But he watched from the stands as George Moncur slammed home an 82nd-minute winner to spark a pitch invasion and scenes that will live with him forever.
Scenes Wright is desperate to help recreate on Sunday when Saints visit need three points – and for Ross County to avoid beating Aberdeen – to stage their own dramatic late escape from the dreaded Premiership play-off. A 90th-minute equaliser in Wednesday night’s drop zone clash kept Saints in the fight. And Wright said: “Can you enjoy it? Yeah, definitely. “I’ve played in post-split games before where you’re secure and nothing is on the line and it’s a dead rubber so you go through the motions. So having something to play for makes it exciting, there’s plenty to play for.
“We had an unbelievable last day at Colchester one year. We beat Preston – who eventually won the play-offs – on the final day to stay up.
“I wasn’t involved because
I was injured but I was at the game and it was great scenes. Hopefully it’s similar scenes on Sunday.
“Will we want to know what’s happening in the Ross County game? If we’re two goals up maybe!
“But for us it’s simple – we have to win. It’s out of our hands and we can’t affect anything they do.
“All we can do is try to take care of the job we’ve got and then see what happens. If County draw and we win we’re safe as well, so hopefully that puts some pressure on them.”
Adama Sidibeh’s late leveller in Perth on Wednesday robbed County of the chance to secure survival with a game to spare.
They now face an in-form Aberdeen on Sunday knowing they might have to win.
Wright said: “Seeing their faces coming off the park, that was a massive blow to them.
“We’re hoping it was a big psychological blow.”
Wright only returned from knee surgery, that left him sidelined since October, in time for the post-split fixtures.
But his experience could be crucial for Craig Levein as Saints scrap to save their top flight skins.
He added: “I’m tired and sore but happy to be back and part of it. I’m feeling good, feeling fit and like I’m capable of making an impact.”
Meanwhile, County’s Yan Dhanda is hell-bent on delivering survival for a second time as a leaving gift.
Dhanda netted the penalty that sparked the mother of all comebacks as County survived last season’s play-off.
The Hearts-bound star thought he’d done the job again with a rocket of an opener on Wednesday night.
Dhanda said: “I’ve always said when I knew I was leaving here my main aim was to keep Ross County in the league. That’s where they should be.
“On Sunday, I’m looking forward to helping them do that. The fans have been good to me and my family. I’ve loved being here. It’s a family club.
“I got told when I came here if you need anything, your family comes first. As many of us live so far from home, players are like family.
“It would mean everything to me to keep Ross County up. My son was born here so it’s got a special place in my heart.”