Michael O’Halloran is “fully focused” again, Tommy Wright has revealed, after last week’s “volcano erupting” for the St Johnstone winger.
And the former Bolton and Celtic forward will be in the Saints squad for Saturday’s match against Celtic if Rangers don’t meet the Perth club’s valuation of him before then.
Wright reported that there has been no change in the Ibrox club’s pursuit of O’Halloran, but there has been a change in the 25-year-old’s mindset.
“I have spoken to the chairman and there is no update regarding what’s happening with Rangers,” he said.
“I will speak to him but I know just by the look of him in training that he is fully focused this week. There has been an obvious change in him. With the frame of mind he is in now it is only right to include him in the squad.
“There had been speculation before but it came to a height last week with the bids coming in. The timing was unfortunate but the circumstances are different. I know the player, I know his body language and I know he has to be right mentally.
“I knew by talking to him and how he trained that he wasn’t focused for the Hamilton game. That was why we left him out of the squad. It was a simple decision to make.
It was almost like a volcano erupting last week.
“But Michael has been a lot better over the last few days. He is probably dealing with it and processing the possibilities in his head. He has had time to take it all in and digest it.”
Wright doesn’t want to get involved in a game of tit for tat with his opposite number at Ibrox.
“I won’t be getting into a war of words over claims of being held to ransom,” he said.
“Look, if we had the money I would be trying to go and take one of Mark Warburton’s best players.
“Would he value their better players at the level they seem to value Michael at? No, he wouldn’t, and arguably Michael is playing at a higher level.
“My chairman hasn’t discussed figures with me but he will have a valuation in mind and if that isn’t met Michael will remain a St Johnstone player.
“Bear in mind he has never been put on the market or actively been touted around. We don’t want to lose Mikey.
“Arguably Mikey has been our best player this season and that is why we are determined to hold onto him.
“You can’t stop clubs coming in for your best players but any deal has to be right for St Johnstone.
“If he is here when the transfer window closes he will be fine about it. He won’t down tools. Michael will look to kick on again. He has been very professional since he came here from Bolton.”
Wright is planning for life post the January window with and without O’Halloran.
“I have Plan A and Plan B in my mind,” he said. “I’d like to bring people in even if Mikey is staying. There isn’t much movement on that at the moment. There is another strategy to pursue if we lose him.
“I have targets and have flagged up what I would like. But ultimately those decisions are down to the chairman.
“Michael is in the squad and if he is still here next week we will be only focused on the semi-final with Hibs.
“Only time will tell if all transfer speculation this has been a distraction for us with the game against Celtic and the League Cup semi final coming up.”
Wright, who will be unable to use loan player Darnell Fisher or injured Chris Millar tomorrow, was a spectator at Parkhead for Celtic’s midweek thrashing of Hamilton Accies.
“It was a reminder we have to be resolute and strong,” he said. “We can’t afford to give away cheap and early goals.
“Hamilton will be disappointed because they defended excellently against us last weekend.
“If you don’t play well and a team like Celtic with all the top players they have at their disposal are on form then results like that can happen. They had something like 30 shots on goal.
“But it won’t change the way we approach the game. We caused them problems in the game here despite losing 3-0. I won’t change my plans and go for a 1-10 formation!”
* Saints have been linked with an approach for Falkirk midfielder Blair Alston. The 23-year-old is out of contract in the summer and can be signed on a pre-contract.