ST JOHNSTONE

MANAGER:

One of the most unheralded managers in Scottish football, Tommy Wright continues to defy the odds, year after year doing an impressive job at McDiarmid Park. Wright is unlikely to ever better leading St Johnstone to Scottish Cup success but a string of top-six finishes have helped consolidate the club as a fixture in the Premiership.

The Northern Irishman, a shrewd operator on the touchline, has shopped wisely once again in the transfer market this summer.

A top-half finish will be in the Perth club’s sights this season and Wright is a man who knows how to deliver at this level.

FORM GUIDE:

Having secured their progression to the next stage of the Betfred Cup by taking 10 points from their four outings, St Johnstone will now look to make a good start in the Premiership, although they face the top two from last term – Celtic and Aberdeen – in the first three weeks of the campaign. The competition in and around their area of the league will be fierce, but Wright will be pleased with their showings and results so far. It is a foundation upon which he will now look to build. WHO’S IN: Keith Watson (St Mirren), Blair Alston (Falkirk), Paul Paton (Dundee United), Michael Coulson (York City).

WHO’S OUT:

Michael Doyle (Morton), Simon Lappin (released), Scott Brown (released), Plamen Krachunov (Ethnikos Achna), John Sutton (St Mirren).

STAR PLAYER:

Steven MacLean, left, ended the campaign with four goals in his final five games and has made a positive start to the new season with strikes against Elgin and Falkirk. At 33, the striker is in the twilight of his career but he still has the ability to be an influential figure in the Perth side in the coming months.

The arrival of Michael Coulson could ease the burden on MacLean’s shoulders but he will still be expected to play a key role in the Saints’ push for another top-six finish.

ONE TO WATCH:

After several impressive seasons in the Championship, Blair Alston now has the chance to shine in the Premiership. The midfielder became a valuable player for Falkirk after emerging through the Bairns’ youth ranks and it was only a matter of time before a top-flight team would look to snap him up. It is Wright who has put his faith in the 24-year-old and it would be no surprise if he is rewarded by Alston as he looks to make his mark at a higher level.