Matty Kennedy needs to get better protection from referees, according to St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright.
The Perth boss believes his influential winger has been subjected to “rough treatment” in all of his games for the McDiarmid Park side, the latest of which was a Betfred Cup match against Queen of the South.
Kennedy was arguably Saints’ man of the match at Palmerston and Wright has high hopes for the former Everton and Kilmarnock man, who was signed in the summer.
But he has called on match officials to make sure opposition defenders are kept in check.
“Referees need to start giving Matty far more protection,” said Wright.
“In every game so far this season he’s had rough treatment without people being booked for it.
“He is the kind of player who will attract that sort of interest from opposition teams but refs need to stay on top of it.
“Thankfully he hasn’t been injured. It’s just bumps and bruises so far but I’d like to see him get protected more.”
