Gaffer showed he believed in me with captain’s role Jason Kerr reflects on his glory days with manager
Jason Kerr remembers the moment he received an unexpected text message from Tommy Wright: “Meet me in the cafe.”
It was July 5, 2019 and St Johnstone were a few days into their pre-season trip to Northern Ireland.
When Kerr glanced down at his phone, all sorts of thoughts started to run through his head. He trundled along to the dreaded meeting point in preparation for a telling off.
What followed was a short but sweet conversation that will remain with the young central defender for the rest of his footballing days.
Aged 22 at the time, Kerr had cemented his place in the heart of the Perth rearguard, having previously enjoyed loan spells at East Fife and Queen of the South.
But never in his wildest dreams did he imagine his manager coming out with the words: “I’m going to make you the captain”.
The newly-crowned skipper was left flabbergasted and, turning to walk away, was struggling to digest the news. As the day wore on, it started to sink in.
Fast forward almost a year later and Kerr’s phone is buzzing again. But this time there is no meeting.
Wright is calling to let the Scottish under-21 internationalist know that he has decided to end his seven-year reign as manager at McDiarmid Park.
The news of Wright’s departure is difficult to absorb – instead of the joy that followed in Northern Ireland, the overriding emotion is now one of sadness.
Ballyclare’s Wright handed Kerr his big break. Sometimes the best results come when you are thrown in at the deep end.
“It was a lot more responsibility, which wasn’t a bad thing because it has made me a better player in the long run,” said Kerr, who will forever be grateful to Wright.
“I don’t just need to think about myself anymore. I need to think about the rest of the team.
“I remember we were in Belfast for pre-season and I got a text from Tommy saying to meet me in the cafe. He sat me down and I thought I was in trouble.
“But he made me club captain and I was shocked. But I was honoured to be named club captain at such a young age and it showed the confidence he had in me.
“It was only a two-minute conversation and I walked away thinking: ‘Wow, I’m the captain now.’ He gave me the chance and I’m really thankful.
“It’s unusual for such a young person to be the club captain and it did good things for my confidence. It showed how much he believed in me.
“The gaffer phoned me on Saturday morning to let me know he was leaving before it all came out officially.
“I’m sad – and so are all of the players and the fans.”
Wright did not just believe in Kerr but whoever he threw into battle in a Perth jersey. His passion for the club was evident on a daily basis.
Occasionally that passion spilled over and he was no stranger to an exchange of touchline words or an exuberant celebration in front of his own and the opposition’s supporters.
He never backed down from sticking up for the Saints badge, a trait that further endeared him to a loyal support who care deeply about their Saturday afternoon favourites.
On matchday, Wright would be seen screaming from his technical area, kicking water bottles and waving his arms in frustration. Often his actions were completely justifiable.
But Kerr painted a different picture of what his manager was like behind the scenes.
“When you watch him on the sidelines, you see how passionate he is and how irate he gets,” Kerr laughed. “He does look like a very angry man at times.
“But if you ever got called into his office or spoke to him, he was really calm. That will be surprising to some people.
“At first you would be quite scared getting called into his office to see what he would say. But he was calm and collected.
“We all know how good a manager he has been for St Johnstone over the past seven years. He has been so successful both domestically and in Europe.
“He was manager for seven years with so many different players and squads, but always did well. That shows how good a manager that he is.”
The high regard for Wright was quickly emphasised when supporters set up an online petition to introduce “The Tommy Wright Stand” at McDiarmid.
Kerr admitted he would not be against pulling the lid off his pen and jotting down another signature.
“I would agree that he is the club’s greatest manager,” he said. “Any manager who wins the Scottish Cup for the club’s first time is going to be put in that bracket.
“But it’s not just the Scottish Cup. He has done well in Europe on many occasions and domestically, finishing fourth and in the top six.
“I noticed there is a petition for a stand to be named ‘The Tommy Wright Stand.’ I don’t see why not. I would sign the petition. He has been the best manager at the club so I really don’t see why not.”
For now, Alec Cleland has been bumped up to the role of caretaker manager as the Perth board assess their options moving forward.
Appointing a new boss is likely to be a lengthy process amid the coronavirus situation and could well take months.
But Kerr knows Cleland will keep everyone ticking over nicely.
“When I first came to the club Alec was the under-20s coach,” said Kerr. “He will step into the shoes well and knows all of the boys.
“It will be weird when a new manager eventually comes in. Tommy has been my manager throughout my career and hopefully we keep in contact.
“Everyone at St Johnstone is going to miss him. He will always be welcome back.”