Tommy Wright stays at Saints to ‘further his ambition’

Tommy Wright has extended his stay at St Johnstone. Picture: John Devlin

And after extending his St Johnstone contract for another two years, the Ulsterman insisted a Dundee United approach rebuffed by determined chairman Steve Brown had not been unsettling.

He insists his staff and players have unfinished business after bringing the Scottish Cup to McDiarmid Park for the first time last year.

Wright, 52, whose recent wins over Rangers, United and a 5-1 demolition of Aberdeen saw his stock rise even further and prompted Tannadice chief Stephen Thompson to put him top of his managerial wish list, harbours no regrets.

He said: “That was knocked back pretty early when the chairman made a statement.

“I was aware that he wasn’t going to entertain any level of compensation because I think he also sees there is work to be done here.

“I am more than happy to stay and I don’t see it as lacking ambition.

“If I continue to do the job here then there may be other jobs but that will only come if we continue the success we have had.

“Also, I would stress that the staff and players have been the major part of the club’s success. They helped me win the Scottish Cup.”

Wright, who has secured back-to-back top six finishes and posted wins over Rosenborg and Luzern in Europe, said: “I want to thank the chairman and the club for their support and the faith they have shown in me. We have worked extremely hard to achieve what we have achieved so far. However, the chairman is ambitious and I am ambitious.

“With the staff and group of players we have here I strongly believe there is a real opportunity for continued success.”

Wright is regarded highly by the Perth dressing room and he stressed: “The players and staff are probably the main reason behind my decision. There is a real bond between them and myself. I enjoy working with them.

“I have said that if I were in the trenches and ready to go over the top the next morning then I would take every one of them with me.”