Frazer Wright: Importance of St Johnstone support

As we edge closer to a Scottish Cup semi-final this weekend, 2014 cup-winning hero Frazer Wright has highlighted the key role the St Johnstone support can play.

Sunday was the 11-year anniversary of us booking our place in the Scottish Cup final for the first time when two Stevie May goals were enough to defeat Aberdeen at Ibrox.

Fan favourite Frazer produced a stellar performance that day and he would go on to play a key role once again as we lifted the trophy against Dundee United at Celtic Park.

Reflecting back on his cup memories, Frazer said: “It was a case of, after the League Cup semi-final that year, that we couldn’t get beat from Aberdeen again.

“It felt like an all or nothing game for us. Everyone had us written off going into the game.

“It turned into such a special day. Going a goal down, we just had to regroup and go again. We were holding on a bit at the end, but we got the job done.

“It meant everything. I still speak to the fans now and a lot of them tell me the semi-final meant more than the final itself.

“To give all the fans the memories that we did that year, it meant the world to us as players.”

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As has always been the case at McDiarmid Park, there is a special connection between the fans and players on the pitch.

Frazer believes again the Saints support can play a huge part as we take on Celtic this weekend. He explained: “The fans always gave us backing. They knew we would give them everything.

“They gave us everything and we gave them everything. They helped us over the line on so many occasions.

“Their turn out for the semi-final and the final was just unbelievable. The following day with the bus parade was just incredible. I am just glad we managed to deliver.

“The guys should be going in with no fear on Sunday. They need to take confidence from the last performance against Celtic. You can get a result against Celtic.

“It is a one-off game. Anything can happen on the day. You just need to give everything.”

He continued: “Like we said before we took on Aberdeen, you can’t have any regrets. You don’t want to be coming in after the game having any regrets.

“I always remember Macca’s famous speech at half-time of the Aberdeen game. He said ‘you don’t want to be lying on a beach in the summer when someone else is lifting the Scottish Cup’.

“You need to give everything. Leave everything out there and hopefully you get the result.”

Reflecting back on that famous day in May 2014, Frazer added: “I pretty much knew that would be my last chance to win the Scottish Cup as a player. I made sure to take the whole day in. It was special.

“I tried to make as many memories as I could and thankfully that is what we managed to do.

“I have a picture of myself standing in the middle of the pitch at the end of the game up in the house.

“I am standing on my own just looking at all of the fans trying to take it all in. I love looking back and thinking of all the memories.

“When you look back at all the photos and videos and what it meant to so many people, it is so special. It is such a huge moment in my life.”