James McFadden was an important factor in St Johnstone’s success story last season according to manager Tommy Wright.
And he expects the former Scotland man to have a positive impact on tomorrow night’s opponents Motherwell after signing a short term deal.
“I know what James contributed last season,” Wright said. “First of all he gave the place a lift which was important. He picked up injuries at bad times but he did contribute when he played.
“Kano’s goal will always be remembered in the Aberdeen game on the last day of the season. But it was a great first time pass by James which put him in. That is the kind of quality he’s got.
“I’ve been on record before saying, take away his injuries, he could have had an even better career because he’s as good a player as I’ve seen and worked with.
“I would imagine he will help the dressing room. I spoke to him before our home game against Dundee when he was doing something for BT Sport. He had been training with Motherwell and said the likelihood was he was going to sign a short term contract with them. I think he really fancies America.”
Wright and Motherwell boss Mark McGhee are old team-mates and he has been impressed with the job he’s done in his second spell in charge at Fir Park.
“I played with Mark briefly at Newcastle and know him well,” the Northern Irishman said. “He’s had some big jobs and done well as a manager. And he has kept Stevie Robinson in which is important for a bit of continuity.
“Mark has a wealth of experience and Motherwell probably saw that as the best fit, which just now is proving to be right.
“They have a good squad of players and Mark is an experienced manager. He has made a difference in terms of them picking up some positive results. I watched them against Dundee at home and they played extremely well.
“They are well organised and have quality players. Moult has been a real find for them. They have pace on both wings and have experience in the team. It’s always a difficult ground to go to.”
David Wotherspoon is suspended for this game but Chris Millar and Graham Cummins are both in contention.
“We knew David was going to be missing,” he said. “I’ve got something in mind for the game.
“The Partick Thistle call-off was beneficial in a way for Cummins and Millar. Chris gets a bit longer and Graham probably wouldn’t have been involved on Saturday. But it gives him the chance now to be involved on Wednesday with three or four more days’ training.
“Ideally you want to play the games when they are scheduled. But you just need to deal with it.
“People can say we would be going to Partick at a bad time because they had won four in a row and are on a high. But we’ve only had two defeats in 13 so we’re on a good run too.
“There’s nothing you can do about it. I can’t see the game being rescheduled in January because there are so many games and the cup coming up. It will be played further down the line so it’s not a massive problem.”