Tommy Wright salutes ‘six in a row’ St Johnstone feat

Tommy Wright claims St Johnstone have been overlooked for praise despite another top-six finish in the Premiership.

Saints are guaranteed to end the campaign in the top half for a sixth successive season - a fourth under the Northern Irish manager - as they prepare for the visit of Partick Thistle on Saturday.

With three fixtures remaining the Perth club sit in fourth place, six points ahead of Hearts, and with a European spot in their sights.

Thistle have reached the top six for the first time since the split was introduced, which guaranteed their highest finish in 36 years. Their manager Alan Archibald was nominated for the PFA Scotland manager of the year award, won by Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

Wright, who revealed midfielder Murray Davidson is in for an operation on his ankle which means his season is over, believes more should be made of his club's consistency of achievement.

He said: "I am pleased for Partick Thistle, brilliant. Alan will tell you how tough it is to get into the top six.

"It is not easily attainable, it is hard work that goes into it but they have done tremendously well this season.

"I am immensely proud of my players and what they achieve and I get a little bit disappointed for them that they don't get the plaudits that they deserve.

"Partick Thistle have done really well and have quite rightly got a lot of plaudits but what we have achieved has been overlooked in what is undoubtedly a tougher league.

"My point is that Partick are a similar size club to us and they have done it one year and we have now done it six years in a row.

"We are on course with a strong finish to get more points than last year.

"So I can understand the plaudits Partick are getting but when plaudits are being given out we should be right up there.

"If we can finish fourth this year I think it will be the best achievement that we have ever had.''

• St Johnstone
• Premiership