United striker on Wright’s wishlist

TARGETS: Saints boss admits interest in Dow, Watson and Alston

St Johnstone are still in the hunt for a hat-trick of Scottish summer signings.

Falkirk midfielder Blair Alston, Dundee United forward Ryan Dow and St Mirren defender Keith Watson all remain on Perth manager Tommy Wright’s wishlist.

And the Perth boss is also scouting potential targets down south.

“We have made an offer to Blair Alston so that is wait and see now,” Wright reported.

“He has other offers that we know of so he has a decision to make.

“I am still interested in Ryan Dow so we will revisit that that one at the end of the season. That was how it was left with the player.”

“We are speaking to Keith Watson and I have been in England looking at players,” said Wright.

“We need to strengthen and also in terms of depth because with Rangers coming back the league will be even harder. We have to make sure we don’t stand still.”

Wright added: “There should be a feel good factor about the league with Rangers coming back and, just as important, given how well other teams have done in their absence.

“They are coming back into a stronger league than the one they left. Aberdeen and Hearts are much better and other clubs have tried to invest.

“Inverness were third and won the cup last year but they didn’t make top six. That shows you how tough the league has been. So our achievements over the last five seasons means the players deserve a great deal of credit.”

Saints are back in action against Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park tonight, and Wright should have a bigger squad to choose from than when they last played.

“The injuries have cleared up nicely after the break,” he said.

“Chris Millar is fine and Murray Davidson and Steven Anderson are back in the frame. Brian Easton will be assessed after training. The break came at a good time for us.

“We have five important games and we want to finish the season strongly, despite that extra carrot of Europe being taken out of our hands.

“The lads will be pleased we have made the top six and I see that as a great achievement because the league has been stronger. But there is still work to be done. I don’t like losing games. And looking back at the season we have conceded too many goals.

“They are professional footballers and I have never known them not to want to go out and win games. And remember they can pick up decent bonuses between now and the end of the season.”

Aberdeen still have a slim chance of winning the league, with Wright saying: “They have had another great season and have done well to push Celtic all the way.

“Derek (McInnes) will see this as an opportunity to put a bit of pressure on Celtic before they play. But we want to win this game.”

Tommy Wright has made strengthening his squad for next season a priority.