Versatile defender Joe Shaughnessy will eventually become a regular centre-back, according to St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright.
The former Aberdeen man found himself playing across the backline in his time at Aberdeen, and has also been used both in the middle and at right-back as a virtual ever-present for Saints.
Wright has been grateful of the Irishman’s adaptability but he has a clear vision of where he will end up playing predominantly.
“Joe is doing really well and I see his future as being a centre back,” Wright said.
“We thought that when we signed him, we knew he was comfortable in the middle and could also play at right-back.
“He’s played both positions well this season but I can see long-term his future will be in the middle of defence.
“He’s tall, aggressive, quick and uses the ball well from the back.
“So I am very pleased with him.”
Meanwhile, Wright is taking Saints’ recent winless (and goalless) run in his stride.
“Every team has had runs this season,” he pointed out. “That’s the nature of the league.
“Aberdeen have had it, Ross County have had it and Inverness have had it.
“Every team bar Celtic has had one of them, where you don’t win for four or five games.
“That’s just the way it works in this division because it’s very closely contested.
“We have done this in previous seasons as well, but right now we’re still sitting in fourth with a couple of games in hand.
“So we’re still in position to have a very good season.
“There’s not a lot between the teams so we know we’ve got to kick on again and be better in front of goal.
“That has been the problem lately, we’ve missed a lot of chances but it will turn again for us up front.
“The confidence and belief is good, that’s never in doubt with the squad I’ve got here.”