Losing Stevie May was a “big blow”, Tommy Wright admitted, but losing Brian Graham isn’t.
And the Perth boss has pledged that St Johnstone fans don’t need to worry about one – or maybe two – strikers coming to McDiarmid Park in the Ross County-bound forward’s place.
The Northern Irishman pointed out: “It has been described as a big blow but I never see a player not wanting to sign for me as a blow.
“If they don’t want to sign for the club I don’t want them here.
“We will move on and we have other targets.
“Last year we lost Stevie May. That was a big blow because he had 27 goals and that was difficult to replace.
“Brian has done well but if he feels he is better off at County in a playing and financial sense that is his decision.
“We did want to keep him but we can’t force anyone to sign for us.
“I don’t have a problem with it. If I was to lose sleep over every player I don’t get to sign I would have even bigger bags under my eyes.
“At our club we miss out on players all the time. That’s just the way it is.
“We are run in a certain way and we don’t break the financial structure in terms of wages. It is the right way to do it.”
He added: “We will be linked to a few players I would imagine.
“Be assured we have targets and are working extremely hard to bring players in.
“We have options and we will sign one, hopefully two strikers, over the summer.
“We will strengthen and be ready for next season. We don’t know when it starts but it could be July 2 with a bit of luck.”
Wright didn’t have a decision to make on Graham’s selection on Saturday, as he isn’t eligible to play against Dundee United.
But he hasn’t ruled out turning to the former Raith Rovers man against Celtic on Friday, or at Aberdeen the following weekend.
“It will depend on how we set up against Celtic,” he said. “But Brian trained well last week. He is available for selection.
“What’s done is done but he is still our player and he has said publicly he wants to be involved in the last two games.”
Meanwhile, Wright believes fourth place – and a probable Europa League qualification – is still a realistic prospect, despite the fact that many believe Dundee United to have the more winnable last two fixtures of the campaign.
Saints face Celtic and Aberdeen, while United have Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dundee.
Wright commented: “United are in fourth place and ahead on goal difference but it is still up in the air.
“No one knows what will happen.
“People will think we have the hardest games on paper – Celtic and then Aberdeen – but we have beaten them both this season.
“So there is still plenty to play for.”
Frazer Wright sustained a facial wound on Saturday, but should be available on Friday.
Wright said: “Frazer has had stitches inside his lip. It is a nasty gash and we will assess it as the week goes on. It happened right at the end of the United game.”