Saints hoping for a head start in survival race
Drey Wright is confident St Johnstone have gained a significant psychological edge over Ross County ahead of Sunday’s survival dramas.
The Saints wide man (right) watched crestfallen County players trudge off Mcdiarmid Park minutes after the Dingwall side had been on the brink of securing Premiership safety.
Adama Sidibeh’s header in the first minute of stoppage time snatched a 1-1 draw and kept Saints alive in the race to avoid a relegation playoff.
The stage is now set for a nervy final day with Craig Levein’s men at Motherwell and County hosting Aberdeen.
And Wright reckons their rivals will now find the fraught occasion mentally challenging.
He said: “Seeing their faces coming off the park, that was a massive blow to them.
“In the last minute of the game, safety was snatched from them and hopefully that plays on their mind on Sunday.
“I can’t speak for the characters in their dressing-room but we’re hoping it was a big psychological blow.
“They went from looking comfortable and being safe - because we were not creating many chances - to suddenly having to do it all again on Sunday. Hopefully the way things worked out plays in our favour.”
Saints need to win at Fir Park and hope Don Cowie’s team don’t defeat the Dons.
Wright said: “Will we want to know what’s happening there? If we’re two goals up maybe!
“But, for us, it’s simple. We have to win. It’s out of our hands and we can’t affect anything they do.
“All we can do is try to take care of the job we’ve got, then see what happens.
“If County draw and we win we’re safe as well, so hopefully that puts some pressure on them as well.”
Wright, out for seven months this season with a knee injury, has started the last three games.
He was one of the top performers as the Perth men latched onto a lifeline on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old is thrilled to be back contributing in a big way to the battle to stay up.
“I’m tired and sore but happy to be playing my part,” said Wright. “Obviously you’d prefer to come back with the team in different circumstances but I’m just glad to be able to help now.
“I’m feeling good, fit and feel like I’m capable of making an impact on games.
“If I can get up the pitch and put some balls into the box, hopefully that can make a difference.
“We are very confident. If we can bring the same energy we brought to the last two games we’ll give ourselves a chance.
“The County game showed our character by going right to the end. Obviously, it’s out of our hands now but it happens in football all the time.
“There’s no reason why we can’t win our game and they drop points. There’s plenty to play for and you have to embrace it.”
For us, it’s simple. We have to win. It’s out of our hands and we can’t affect anything they do