Shaughnessy eyes new Perth contract

ST JOHNSTONE: Captain keen to follow Wright and commit future to Saints

St Johnstone captain Joe Shaughnessy has revealed he would love to follow in boss Tommy Wright’s footsteps and sign a new deal.

The Irishman’s current contract runs out at the end of the season and, having seen Wright pledge his future to the Perth side last Friday, Shaughnessy is of the same mind as his manager.

Shaughnessy scored the first goal in Saints’ excellent 2-0 win over his former club Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday, a result that stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches and enhanced their top-six credentials.

The future looks bright at McDiarmid Park and the defender wants to be a part of it, albeit he is happy to take however long it takes to get the deal done.

Shaughnessy said: “The manager has done really well over his time here and I’m sure it wasn’t a hard decision for him to sign on for another few seasons.

“It is good for the club and shows ambition and the fact things are heading in the right direction.

“For me personally, the manager has had a massive impact on my career.”

Shaughnessy continued: “He has stuck by me ever since I went to St Johnstone, pretty much keeping me in the team since I signed.

“So it was brilliant for me to see him sign on. It’s what he deserves.

“I knew I was going to Perth with something to prove and when the manager shows he has confidence in you and will play you, then you feed off that.

“I have been in the team pretty much every week and he has made me captain as well.

“It shows he rates me, has confidence in me, and hopefully I am repaying him. My contract is up at the end of the season.

“With the manager signing, it is good for all the players including myself.

“Hopefully, we can get something sorted pretty soon even though I’m not in a rush.”