Liam Boyce has taken to Scottish football like a duck to water.
The Ross County striker has been one of the Premiership’s most prolific goalscorers since arriving from Northern Ireland.
But his fellow former Cliftonville frontman, Joe Gormley, may be an even better finisher according to his St Johnstone manager, who knows both players well.
Wright has tracked Gormley’s career over the last few seasons and jumped at the chance to bring him to McDiarmid Park on loan, as the 26-year-old seeks to put a season wiped out by injury at Peterborough behind him.
After playing for over an hour in Tuesday’s under-20 match against County, Gormley should now be available for selection for the first team at Partick Thistle on Saturday.
And Wright believes he has the right credentials to be another Northern Irish striking success story in Scotland.
“I have known about Joe for a long time,” said the Perth boss.
“I was keen before but when a club like Peterborough came in for him we had to step aside last summer.
“He started well there before picking up his injury.
“He sees this as a great opportunity to come here, force his way into the team and play games – and hopefully score goals.
On the obvious comparison between Gormley and his old partner up front, Boyce, Wright noted: “Any signing is a risk but Liam Boyce has taken well to Scottish football since his move from Cliftonville to Ross County.
“He has scored goals here.
“Maybe Boyce’s general play is better than Joe’s but you could argue Joe is the better finisher of the two.
“Hopefully he will get chances here and score goals.”
Saints have often gone with one up top in recent seasons but there is now a strong case for Steven MacLean getting company on a regular basis.
“Joe can play as a one striker but is probably more effective with someone playing alongside him,” Wright explained.
“Macca is probably the one here best suited for him.
“It was important to get another striker in, especially as Macca isn’t available for games on astro.
“I don’t think you can have enough competition for places up front.”