St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright insisted it is “brilliant” that he has three big selection decisions to make.
The Perth boss has to make a call on who replaces Steven MacLean at Kilmarnock tomorrow, whether to bring Murray Davidson back into the team or stick with the midfield that did so well after he was forced off injured last weekend, and when will be the right time to restore Steven Anderson to his defence.
But he would be in the wrong job if he shied away from them.
Wright pointed out: “I’ve got decisions to be made everywhere in my team. It’s brilliant. That’s what I want. I’m not afraid to make decisions.
“I always make them based on what’s best for the team. That’s my job. I’ve no qualms about it.
“I don’t think you can be a manager if you’re going to dwell on, and worry about, decisions. If they go wrong you can always try to correct them during a game but you can’t look back and beat yourself up about it.”
As far as who will come in for MacLean is concerned, the Northern Irishman said: “Of course I’ve got a choice, but I know what that choice will be.
“There’s Sutty, Kano and Graham. They’ve all got different qualities. Sutty is probably the one who holds it in best, and links up play best. The other two like to run in behind.
“I’ve got to decide whether we play two up or one up.”
Wright explained that in-form MacLean fully accepts that risking another career-threatening injury on Killie’s artificial surface is out of the question.
“I’m doing it for my own good as well as his,” he said.
“I want him to play as many games as he can, with the form he’s in. But it was an easy decision because the medical advice is he doesn’t play on these type of surfaces, and he doesn’t even train on them.
“It’s a no-brainer and he’s comfortable with it. Macca didn’t try to make a case for it. He knows.”
Anderson wasn’t able to play in a development game in midweek, as it was called off but Wright noted: “We played a game amongst ourselves on Tuesday.
“So it doesn’t make any difference and he’s available again for the weekend.
“The team’s doing well. I was happy with Joe (Shaughnessy) and Dave (Mackay) on Saturday.
“It’s good to have options all over the pitch.
“We’ve got strikers chomping at the bit who haven’t done a lot wrong but can’t get in the team.
“We’ve got defenders and midfielders who aren’t in the team either. That’s the way it has to be. You can only play 11 and the lads fully understand that.”
Saints are unbeaten at home but pointless on the road.
“The home record has been good,” Wright said. “Away from home we’ve been to Dundee who were playing well, Celtic is a tough game at any time, and we had Hearts in the first match of the season.
“This will be another tough game but we need to build on what we did last week and get back to back wins and build momentum, whether it’s home or away.
“Kilmarnock will be on a high after last week. The manager and players have taken a lot of stick this season but they came away with a great result at Tannadice. They’ve got talented players and they’ll fancy their chances, as we do.”