Ex-Saints star looks ahead to Killie clash

It's the international break this weekend which means that the Ladbrokes Premiership takes a backseat. However attentions have already turned to the visit of Kilmarnock to McDiarmid Park next Saturday.

And one man who knows what it's like to play for both sides is ex-Saints defender Frazer Wright.

Wright, who was part of the Scottish Cup-winning team in 2014, has fond memories of his time in Perth and has been very impressed by the start the club has made to the 2018/19 season.

Looking ahead to next weekend, Frazer was full of praise for his former manager Tommy Wright and the current crop of Saints players.

"I've been really impressed," he said, "it's typical St. Johnstone really and they've kind of flown under the radar.

"After a bit of a sticky patch and a tough run of fixtures the manager and the players have come out fighting and gone on an incredible run of five wins and five clean sheets in a row.

"It's a testament to the players, to Tommy and Alec, and to the rest of the staff. The club does well consistently every season and it's down to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

"There were a number of changes in the summer with players leaving and new signings coming in so it's probably taken a little while to adapt. It's looking really good now and I'm delighted to see the club doing well."

Wright spent six years with Kilmarnock before joining Saints in 2011 and he can remember playing in this very fixture back in 2014 when he scored against Killie at Rugby Park.

"I played in this game for both sides," said Frazer, "and when I joined Saints I was still in contact with quite a lot of the lads at Killie.

"I still remember scoring for Saints at Rugby Park and I didn't know what to do - I wasn't sure whether I should celebrate or not!"

With both clubs performing well in the league Frazer is expecting a tight contest at McDiarmid next weekend and he's urging the Saints fans to turn out in numbers to support Tommy Wright and his players.

"Killie will bring a good support and their attendances and expectations have risen considerably under Steve Clarke," he said.

"Hopefully the Saints fans will come out and back their side in numbers too because the players and the manager deserve it.

"They're back in the top six and I believe they can stay there. I've been to see Saints away from home this season and I was impressed by the travelling support and the backing they gave the players.

"They deserve that support to transfer to home games too and it does make a difference. I've played in front of a packed McDiarmid crowd in the past on European nights and the fans always had the place rocking.

"Hopefully the supporters come back and create a good atmosphere again as the club is going from strength to strength and doing the business on the pitch."