Tommy Wright has enjoyed nothing but success during his time with St Johnstone.
But after a series of top six finishes since following on from Steve Lomas in 2013 – and delivering the Perth club’s first ever Scottish Cup triumph – the Northern Irishman is well aware he has a different type of challenge on his hands this term.
His injury-hit Perth squad has endured a six game run without a win in the league since a historic victory over Rangers at Ibrox.
Saints are still clinging onto eighth place in the Premiership but are battling to pull clear of the relegation area.
The McDiarmid manager has made it clear he’s up for the fight and has credentials which will stand him in good stead in the months ahead.
“I have loads of experience and have been in much worse situations than this,” said Wright, who cut his managerial teeth with Limavady United, Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery in his homeland.
“I know it was part-time but I took over a club in Northern Ireland that was bottom of the table and had lost 11 games in a row and we won six out eight.
“I have worked at a club that was in administration and managed that situation.
“So I have enough experience to deal with this. I will lead. I just need the players to follow.
“The picture isn’t good at the moment but we still have plenty games left and we know we need to improve on our recent form.
“It’s a time when I have to make sure we get the players in the right frame of mind and they remain positive.
“If we do that we can still have a decent season. We have to stop giving away cheap goals. Do that and we will be picking up points and moving up the table.
“Individually they haven’t played to their capability in recent matches.
“They are all hurting and when it comes to game time in the weeks ahead they know they have to do better.
“It’s not down to any lack of effort, it is poor concentration and decision making that is costing us.
“It could be a nervousness going into games but you wouldn’t sense that in the dressing room or Monday to Friday in training.
“We are on one of those runs that plenty of teams have been in. But we have to make sure we get out of it quickly.
“Our focus is clear, it’s to pick up league points.”
After Sunday’s trip to face champions Celtic, Saints host bottom side Ross County – currently six points behind the Perth team – and then Rangers at McDiarmid.
And Wright is seeking a united front to help the cause through to the end of the campaign.
“Fans react to results and they haven’t been good,” he said.
“To be fair to our supporters in the main they have been great again this season but we have had good times here in recent years and we all have to stick together.”
