St Johnstone fans have been given an early Christmas present with the news that Danny Swanson has revealed he wants to stay at McDiarmid Park.
The Perth playmaker, who has been one of the stars of the Premiership this season, has spent the last few weeks mulling over his future.
Hibs have been linked with trying to tempt him to Edinburgh, while there has also been interest from abroad.
But, despite admitting to frustration that he wasn’t offered a new deal in the summer, the former Dundee United and Hearts man has made extending his stay with Saints his priority.
And the fact that his wife, Holly, is a paid-up member of the Tommy Wright fan club has played its part.
“My missus was out Christmas shopping and wanted to buy the gaffer a present!” Swanson said.
“I had to tell her to stop it and don’t be buying him anything.
“She wanted to give him a card but even that’s too far, it would be like bringing in something for the teacher at school.
“The boys would have had a right go if she’d done that.
“She loves it here, she’s really keen for me to sign on here again.
“A few months ago I didn’t know what I was going to do because at the start of the season I wanted to sign a new deal.
“It was in my contract for that to happen but it didn’t come about so I was a bit frustrated because I didn’t know why it wasn’t being done.
“The gaffer has been great, though, because he’s always been telling me he wants me to stay.
“The club came to me in November and said they want me to sign again so I’ve done a lot of thinking about it and am clearer in my own mind.
“If the deal is right then I’m happy to get it done.”
Swanson added: “I’ve got a young family and they love it here so although you’d always want another shot at going to a big club, you have to look at other things as well.
“My missus loved it in Perth so she wants to move back here.
“The gaffer and I have had a good chat about it, we’re going to get the Christmas and New Year games out of the way then sit down in January.
“There is a bit of interest from elsewhere, including abroad, but I want to stay here.
“I told the gaffer he would be the first to know when anything comes up because if the deal is right here I’m happy to sign on for St Johnstone again.
“I’ve done a lot of thinking about it so hopefully we’ll sit down with the chairman in January and get it done.
“That will be a good time to sit down and sort it out because there’s no football involved for a few weeks.”
Swanson admitted that had there been any doubts about Wright staying at McDiarmid, it could have tipped the scales in favour of moving on in the summer.
“The gaffer should be getting talked about for jobs but he doesn’t,” he said.
“So I was worried about signing a new long-term deal if he’s going to leave.
“But speaking to him, he’s really happy here so that has been reassuring.”
Swanson is back in the squad for tonight’s trip to face Kilmarnock, after missing the last two games with a hip injury.
He said: “I’m fine now. I’ve trained all week so am ready to go.
“I had a little tear in my hip but it’s healed now.
“I could have played at a push last weekend but the manager has options this season with the likes of Blair Alston and Michael Coulson.
“Last season we didn’t have that so I played through a few injuries but this year we have the bodies to deal with it.
“It has been a bit frustrating watching from the stand but the lads have been doing well, although we think we should have won against Motherwell.
“Killie will be another tough game, the plastic pitch is not ideal and a few of the lads don’t play on it.
“We’re not big fans of it but you just have to get on with it.
“I think the weather might have more of an impact on things this weekend because it’s meant to be brutal.
“We just want to get through the next three games in good form and get as many points on the board as we can.
“We’re sitting OK in the league just now, we should have more points than we do, so the aim is to still be sitting in a good position when the break comes around.
“Aberdeen and Hearts above us have dropped a few points but they’re good sides so they will both pick up again.”
