Tommy Wright insists a top-six finish this season has given him "as much pleasure" as St Johnstone's famous William Hill Scottish Cup-winning campaign. The Northern Irishman brought the famous old trophy to Perth for the first time in the club's 130-year history last season with a 2-0 win over Dundee United at Celtic Park. Saints then saw top scorer Stevie May sign for Sheffield Wednesday and, although having no cup joy, Wright's side have enjoyed another good season and with three games remaining they are battling with the Tannadice side for fourth place. Ahead of tomorrow's visit of United to McDiarmid Park, Wright said that he was "absolutely delighted with the performances this year".
He went on: "I have had as much pleasure out of this season - and people might not believe me - as I did last season. It has been a difficult season but I think it has been another great season. I knew it was going to be tough this season after winning the cup and losing Stevie May. We are not the type of club who gets £800,000 for Stevie May and says 'right, we will put £400,000 of that in the budget'. I knew that wasn't going to happen and that is good business and planning by the club. I have a chairman who runs the club right. I will fight for every penny more that I can get and he will give me reasons why he can't (give me it), but we work together. People maybe do expect us to be automatic top-six finishers. But I know how much hard work the players put in to get there and they have done it four years in a row, which is tremendous. So, overall, I genuinely take as much pleasure out of this season as last season."
Jackie McNamara has called on his side to stand up to St Johnstone tomorrow. The Tangerines head for Perth needing a win to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for Europe through the league but face a Saints side who have held the upper hand in recent meetings. McNamara has every respect for St Johnstone counterpart, whose teams are built on a solid foundation, and wants to see his side cope with their physical approach in order to get full points. McNamara said: "We're looking forward to it. We expect a physical match and we have to be ready for them in that respect. We know a bit about them and they're a strong side. When you look at it, it's a big game for both teams and there's a lot at stake. We need to win it if we're going to get third place and there's also the battle for fourth as well. It won't be easy because St Johnstone have been a bit of a bogey team for us. They are experienced. They have a good work ethic to go with their good players. They defend well as a team and we've found it hard to crack them in the past."