KID AARON’S ALL WRIGHT
Boss hails defender’s performance at Celtic
Aaron Comrie St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright yesterday heaped praise on young defender Aaron Comrie after the weekend draw at Celtic. The 20-year-old full back, a former Parkhead youth player, was hoisted into the Perth line-up for what was his first start in the Premiership. Wright had no concerns about throwing Comrie in against the Scottish champions who were pushed close to losing their now 53-game unbeaten domestic record. “Aaron had a very good debut,” Wright told the Perthshire Advertiser. “It was his first start but remember, he played for most of a game coming off the bench at Hamilton. We talked about it with him earlier in the week and going in at Celtic Park shows how highly we rate him.
“He took it in his stride and certainly wasn’t daunted by the prospect. He was released by Celtic so it was nice for him to go back.
“Aaron had a very good pre-season, including a game against Rangers, and he will push Richard Foster all the way this season.
“We have a number of young defenders who are all progressing very well. They are more than capable of stepping in. We know we can rely on them this year.”
Comrie’s afternoon started in unfortunate circumstances following a collision with team-mate Murray Davidson on the edge of the Celtic box.
Davidson required extensive treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off in a neck brace and then taken to hospital.
The midfielder is now recovering and Wright confirmed: “Murray got out of hospital after a precautionary CT scan.
“He was out for the count. He went up for a challenge with Scott Brown but actually collided with Aaron Comrie and the young lad needed a couple of stitches to the side of his head.
“It’s down to how Murray plays. He is such a whole-hearted footballer. It’s just as well
he’s not a boxer. Murray would have been ruled out of any game this weekend but the only damage was to a broken tooth which will have to be repaired.
“The medical team will keep an eye on him until he is ready to return to training but we have given the players a few days off this week before we begin preparing for the next match against Hibs.”
During those few days off, the Perth players will be reflecting on a start to the season which has left the McDiarmid Park club sitting on 10 points after four league games.
Unbeaten boss Wright said:“It’s great to get to 10 points and hopefully we can get the next 10 as quickly.
“I think everyone was saying the best we could get was nine points because we were playing Celtic. We nearly got 12 but I am pleased with the start we have made to the season.
“I have been delighted with the contribution everyone has made.
“We haven’t got any more injury worries. There would have been a few stiff bodies on Sunday but that’s what you expect playing a side like Celtic who dominate the ball so much.
“You always like to go into the international breaks on the back of a good result.”