Chris Millar thinks Tommy Wright right appointment

Chris Millar: 'Good appointment'. Picture: PA

Millar, Saints’ second-longest serving player, said: “Tommy is the right man for the job. His appointment will bring continuity to what we did last season.

“He was a big part of the success we had last year being Steve’s assistant and bringing in Callum (Davidson) as his number two is a really good move as well. He knows all the boys and will bring a great deal of experience as well.

“He’s played at a really high level and it’s a really good appointment. All the boys in the dressing room are really happy with it I’m sure.

“We will miss the gaffer with him going south. He did a fantastic job, but it was a move he wanted with his family being down there and it was the right time for him.”

Lomas stepped down  from his post to take over at the New Den after leading St Johnstone to a European slot for the second successive season. The former West Ham midfielder replaced Derek McInnes in November 2011 and was joined at the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club by former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Wright a short time afterwards.

Millar believes that Wright has got the right credentials to continue the club’s impressive development. “The guys who have been managing St Johnstone recently have all gone on to do well for themselves with Owen Coyle, Derek McInnes and now  Steve Lomas,” he said. “I’m hoping that will continue with Tommy and we have more good times.”

Wright started his coaching career as a goalkeeping specialist under Glenn Roeder at Norwich but made his move into management with Limavady United in his homeland in November 2003.

Spells in charge of Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery – where he led the Whites to the Irish League Cup in 2011 – followed before he made the move to Scotland to work alongside his former international team-mate Lomas.

But Millar insists the two men are not carbon copies of one another, saying: “Tommy and Steve are different kinds of people. Steve had great passion and great drive.

“But Tommy had more to do with the organisational stuff and was very methodical.

“It will be funny seeing him as the gaffer, though. It’s the first time I’ve been in the situation where an assistant has been made boss. Our relationship might change, as he might want to distance himself a bit more from the players now.

“But he was always great to talk to. A couple of times  when I was coming up for contract talks he made time  for me to give me some good advice and I’m sure that will continue. I’m looking forward to working with him and Callum.”