Wright plans for future as Shaughnessy axed

Tommy Wright admitted that captain Joe Shaughnessy might have played his last game for St Johnstone after he was dropped for the 1-1 draw at St Mirren.

The 26-year-old defender has been outstanding since joining the club in 2015 but his deal expires this summer and Saints have withdrawn their contract offer.

Shaughnessy was heavily linked with a return to former club Aberdeen and Wright believes it’s now time to look to the future and persist with the promising partnership of Jason Kerr and Liam Gordon.

“To be fair to Joe, since it was announced that he wouldn’t be staying he has been really good,” Wright said.

“On form he shouldn’t be dropped but I have to have one eye on next season. I have to see Gordon and Kerr to help us build for next year. It is hard on Joe but he fully understands.”

The young Scottish central defensive partnership were on course for a clean sheet and three points until Danny Mullen’s stunning equaliser in injury time.

Kerr only managed to clear a hopeful punt to the St Mirren striker on the edge of the box and he thumped an unstoppable volley on his weaker foot beyond Zander Clark to snatch a vital point for the Buddies.

Substitute Chris Kane looked to have won the game for the visitors when he smartly finished beyond Vaclav Hladky in the 80th minute.

St Mirren remain in the relegation play-off spot, two points off third-bottom Hamilton. “We have a group who are standing up to be counted,” said boss Oran Kearney.