Tommy Wright: Finishing seventh or eighth is still a good season for St Johnstone

Tommy Wright admits he will not be able to convince some St Johnstone supporters his side are still on course for a successful season.

Last weekend's 4-1 hammering by Aberdeen at Pittodrie snuffed out Saints' last lingering hope of snatching sixth place away from Hearts.

That brings to an end the Perth outfit's incredible six-year run of consecutive top-six finishes.

But given the increased competition this season following Hibernian's top-flight return and the surprise form of Kilmarnock since Steve Clarke took over, Wright feels his side can still feel proud of what they have achieved this term as they look to pip Motherwell to seventh spot - even if others disagree.

Wright, who confirmed Blair Alston will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing ankle ligaments during the Dons defeat, said: Because we've done unbelievably well over the last few years I won't be able to convince people outside the club - and maybe even some of our supporters - that this season can still be a success if we can finish seventh or eighth.

We budget for 10th place every year but the league has got tougher this season.

Five out of the top six are the five biggest clubs with the biggest resources. There is always one team from the so-called smaller clubs that has an exceptional season and this time it has been Steve Clarke and Kilmarnock.

For us, if you put finishing seventh or eighth alongside finishing fourth like we did last season, it looks a poor season - but things have to be put in perspective.

People may have their mind up on what kind of season we've had but if you look at it overall, seventh or eighth is still a very good season.

We're victims of our own success, without a doubt - but it's getting more and more difficult as our spending, while it has increased in recent years, is still not at the level it was during the previous manager's time, while the teams around us have spent more money.''

Saints sit level with Motherwell on 37 points but can put down a marker in their final game before the split when they host the Steelmen on Saturday.

Well boss Stephen Robinson has received plaudits for the way he has turned around his team around this term but Wright reckons his side are being judged to a higher standard than the Fir Park men.

He said: Motherwell have had two good cup runs and everyone is saying they have had a brilliant season - apparently we're having a terrible season even though we've got the same amount of points.

Where Motherwell have done well is that they've won a couple more games in the cups but when it comes to the league, it needs a deep breath, a bit of level-headedness and to realise how well we've done too.'