The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Wright ‘flattered’ by Rangers link
Saints boss focused on McDiarmid Park job despite specualtion
Tommy Wright is “flattered” to be linked with the vacant manager’s job at Rangers.
But the St Johnstone boss won’t let the speculation by the media, fans and bookmakers distract him from his work at McDiarmid Park.
“There has been speculation about the Rangers job and I take that as a compliment,” Wright said.
“If I am being mentioned for the job along with guys of the calibre of Alex McLeish, Frank de Boer and Derek McInnes then it shows we’re doing something right here.
“If people think I should be in the frame for a job the size and history of Rangers then you have to be flattered by that.
“It says a lot about the job I have been doing here at St Johnstone over the last four years.
“But it is pure speculation, I’m flattered by it but I’m very much the manager here and I’m focused on that.”
On Mark Warburton’s departure from Rangers and Scottish football, the Northern Irishman added: “We are a small band. There are only 12 of us in the top league and 42 across the country.
“It’s never nice when anyone loses their job and it was a surprise.
“Mark was always very approachable and I’d known Davie Weir from over the years.
“So it’s never nice to see anyone go.”
St Johnstone won’t dwell on their Scottish Cup disappointment, according to manager Tommy Wright.
The last-16 defeat to Partick Thistle – and the manner of it – has cut deep at McDiarmid Park.
However, the fact that there is top six football to secure for another season, and possibly Europa League qualification, will help focus minds when the Premiership resumes at the weekend.
“We didn’t do enough on Saturday,” Wright reflected, “especially in the first 20 minutes.
“The lads know we should have done better and there is a lot of disappointment.
“But we’re out of the cup now. That’s the bottom line and we have to regroup.
“Our cup record has been something we’re proud of but Partick are a very good team and on the day they deserved to win.
“We won’t be dwelling on it.
“It’s about Ross County this weekend now and continuing in the league.
“In football you have to move on quickly. You can’t let things linger.”
Saints travel to Dingwall to play Ross County on Saturday.
Wright isn’t putting a figure on the points total he thinks will be enough to make the top six when the Premiership splits in two but another victory won’t leave them far away from their goal.
He added: “The challenge for us now is to get into the top six and then, if we can do that, look at the teams above us.
“We have given ourselves a good platform for the top six but we still have to get a few more wins on the board.
“I don’t know how many more victories it will take. We’ve not set a target.
“With everyone playing each other, every point you get at this time of the season takes you closer.
“The teams below us will be looking to reel us in so nobody should be thinking it’s done and dusted.”
Michael Coulson is making good progress on his latest recovery from injury and is set to get game-time for the under-20s.
Wright said: “Michael Coulson will be playing in the under-20s this week along with Clive Smith.
“Michael is a wee bit ahead of schedule so it will be good to get a game into him and hopefully have him back.”
In football you have to move on quickly. You can’t let things linger. TOMMY WRIGHT