St Johnstone v St Mirren: Frazer Wright confident experience will see Saints through transition

ST JOHNSTONE defender Frazer Wright believes the experience in their team can help guide them through a period of uncertainty following the departure of Derek McInnes.

Captain Jody Morris and under-19s coach Alec Cleland will take charge of their second game today when St Mirren visit McDiarmid Park. The pair led Saints to a goalless draw at Dundee United days after McInnes left for Bristol City and Wright is confident there will be no disruption against the Paisley side.

The 31-year-old said: “Before the manager left, he made the point that he signed quite a lot of experienced players and I think that’s what you need just now to get round everyone and keep their heads up and keep everyone going. I think we’re doing quite well on that side of things.

“You get papers speculating but, until we find out, we can’t do anything about it. We just need to get our heads down and get on with it. Eck and Jody have done well, kept everything ticking over. They are good guys. They will get the best out of the boys and we will work hard for them.”

Wright, who left Kilmarnock for Perth in the summer, is no stranger to managerial change, having worked under Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Calderwood, Mixu Paatelainen, Kenny Shiels and McInnes in under two years.

“I went through a phase of having one manager for five years and then it changed quite rapidly,” he said. “So I’m getting used to it now. It’s just something you need to get on with. You know there is always a chance, if your team is doing well, your manager could go, and if you’re not doing well. It’s just part of life. I’m loving it here. I’m enjoying playing here and we have kept a lot of clean sheets as well, which is always good in my position.”

St Mirren won at McDiarmid Park in the Scottish Communities League Cup last month but were knocked out of the tournament by Ayr in midweek, and manager Danny Lennon admits it will take a lot to get over the surprise exit.

“That will always be with you,” he said. “Even when the semi-finals come along next year you will be saying ‘if only’. But it is not to be and what we are looking for is characters to go out there and show what they are all about. We have to turn that hurt into motivation for upcoming games.”