Wright will miss finale after losing appeal

FRAZER WRIGHT will miss St Johnstone’s European cliffhanger against Motherwell on Sunday after losing his appeal against a two-game suspension yesterday. The Saints defender was charged with violent conduct after being caught on camera elbowing Celtic defender Mikael Lustig in his side’s 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park last Saturday. The Perth side contested the charge, however, with manager Steve Lomas accusing the SFA of subjecting players to ‘trial by Sportscene’. Yesterday, though, Wright’s appeal was kicked out, meaning he misses Sunday’s final SPL game of this season, as well as the first game of St Johnstone’s 2013-14 campaign. Saints need to beat Motherwell, and hope Inverness Caley Thistle do not win at Ross County, in order to claim the final Europa League spot. But Motherwell assistant Kenny Black has warned them — and assured Inverness — his side are desperate for a victory on Sunday, in what, he reckons, will be the end of an era for the Fir Park club. The Steelmen have already secured a second-spot finish — and a Europa League place — with the Highlanders and Saints battling it out for the final European slot. But Black says his players — many of whom are out of contract in the summer — are desperate to bow out with a win. ‘As professionals, we want to win any game of football. And it’s only right we treat this game as we would any other. ‘There is a lot at stake for Inverness and St Johnstone,’ he said. ‘But it’s also the last game for many of our players and it’s the end of an era. ‘So they will want to bow out with a win. They have been brilliant professionals to work with and it would be fitting if they finished their spell here on a high. ‘It would also mean that we get into double figures for away wins this season, which would be some achievement.’