Boss is upbeat despite results

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright insists there is no “doom and gloom”following recent results.

The Perth side’s weekend defeat against Partick Thistle means it is now five games without a Saint finding the back of the net.

But Wright continues to see improvements in his squad who remain in the top half of the Scottish Premiership.

“Obviously the results lately haven’t been good and I can’t deny that but I do see positive signs,” the manager said.

“Against Partick we had loads of possession and created plenty of chances but couldn’t take them.

“Over the years we have made a habit of having less possession and winning games so I know it doesn’t count for anything if you don’t make the most of it.

“The players are maybe lacking a bit of confidence at the moment and that’s not allowing their quality to come through but it will turn again.

“There is no doom and gloom, we won’t allow that to happen.

“I think we have improved since the Aberdeen game – although results haven’t shown that – but we’ve just not capitalised on the chances we’ve made.

“When you are in a run like we are it seems everything goes against you, like it did on Saturday with two players coming off injured early on.

“But we just have to grind our way out of it and I’m sure we will.

“I have always had total faith in this group of players and they will get back to winning

games before long.” Celtic, unbeaten in 62 domestic games, are next up for Saints on Saturday.

But Wright reckons that tough clash could come at a good time.

“A lot of people will look at it and think this is the worst game we could have this weekend,”Wright said.

“But although it’s going to be tough, maybe it might be a good one because nobody expects anything from us so the players can play with plenty of freedom.”

Saints will hope to have midfielder Stefan Scougall fit for the Celtic game but Brian Easton is likely to miss out.

Wright said:“Brian has been bothered by his knee for a few weeks so will probably have to go for a scan.

“We won’t know more until that happens but hopefully he won’t be out for too long.

“As for Stefan, he got a scrape down his achilles and on his ankle so that’s why he had to come off against Partick.

“Hopefully it will settle down in a few days and he’ll be back training by the end of the week.”